The live finals of the Jazz Pensacola 2022 Student Jazz Competition will be held Monday, March 21, at 6:30 p.m. at Phineas Phogg’s in Seville Quarter, downtown Pensacola. This is the twelfth year that the competition has been held. Part of Jazz Pensacola’s mission is to encourage and assist emerging jazz musicians during their student years. The jazz community, including musicians and educators, feels that by welcoming students and giving them an opportunity to showcase and develop their talents, we are helping to create the jazz musicians of the future.
Admission to this event is free and open to the public, and no tickets are required. Family, friends, teachers and band mates of the finalists, as well as the general public, are encouraged to attend and provide support to the finalists.
The competition includes three divisions: College Instrumental, High School Instrumental and Jazz Vocal. The applications and preliminary recordings have been reviewed and the following applicants will compete for monetary awards at the live finals:
High School Instrumental Division:
Anna Brennan – Piano – Pace High School
Devin Snodgrass – Trumpet – Pace High School
Jazz Vocal Division:
Isabelle Schrack – University of West Florida
Tori Vinson – Pensacola High School
Olivia Wilson – University of West Florida
Selena Wilson – University of West Florida
College Instrumental Division:
Pierre Baldwin – Alto Sax – Pensacola State College
Patrick Bass – Saxophone – University of West Florida
Gamaliel Harris – Trombone – Northwest Florida State College
Rory Swanson – Guitar – Pensacola State College
Each finalist will perform two songs, with backing by a professional rhythm section, before three judges and a live audience. After the judges deliberate, monetary awards ranging from $100 to $500 will be presented based on the judge’s placing – they will all be winners. Past awards have helped pay for tuitions, private instruction, jazz camps, instrument purchases and music software. Awards to date total close to $30,000.
A short jam session to include all finalists to close the show.
Thank You to our Jazz Education Team Supporters (JETS)
Arts, Culture and Entertainment (ACE)
Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs
The Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival
Studer Foundation
Schmidt’s Music
Dr. Michelle Brandhorst
Steve Douglas
Woody Edwards
John and Myrl Eisinger
Carolyn Tokson
Roger and Kat Villines