The live finals of the Jazz Pensacola 2023 Student Jazz Competition will be held Monday, March 20, at 6:30 p.m. at Phineas Phogg’s in Seville Quarter, downtown Pensacola. This is the competition’s 13th year. 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.
This year the competition includes two divisions: College 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.
Jazz Vocal Division:
Gabby Carley – University of West Florida
Brooke Ryan – University of West Florida
Olivia Wilson – University of West Florida
College Instrumental Division:
Pierre Baldwin – Alto Sax – Pensacola State College
David Garcia – Trombone – University of West Florida
Christopher LeDuc – Trombone – University of West Florida
David Lyon – Bass – University of West Florida
Chandler Ragan – Tenor Sax – University of West Florida
Nehemiah Trotman – Piano – University of West Florida
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 $150 to $500 will be presented based on the judge’s placing – they will all be winners. Awards to date total about $33,000.
A short jam session to include all finalists will close the show.
Thank You to our Jazz Education Team Supporters (JETS)
Arts, Culture and Entertainment (ACE)
Florida Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture
Studer Foundation
Schmidt’s Music
Dr. Michelle Brandhorst
Steve Douglas
John and Myrl Eisinger
Carolyn Tokson
Bobby Van Deusen
Roger and Kat Villines
Roger and Ellen Vinson
