Jazz Pensacola conducted the Thirteenth Annual, 2023 Student Jazz Competition on Monday, March 20, at Phineas Phogg’s in Seville Quarter, downtown Pensacola. 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.
Finalists were chosen from the submitted applications, each including recorded performances of two tunes demonstrating their jazz skills. Judges for the event were professional musicians Tim Jackson, Bob Maksymkow and Bobby van Deusen. Also, the students were accompanied by professional musicians Mary Chavez, Steve Douglas and Lawrence Young.
Following are placements and awards. They are all winners.
Jazz Vocal Division:
First Place: Brooke Ryan – University of West Florida – $500
Second Place: Olivia Wilson – University of West Florida – $300
Third Place: Gabby Carley – University of West Florida – $150
College Instrumental Division:
First Place: Marcus Baldwin – Alto Sax – Pensacola State College – $500
Second Place: David Lyon – Bass – University of West Florida – $400
Third Place: Nehemiah Trotman – Piano – University of West Florida – $300
Fourth Place: Chandler Ragan – Tenor Sax – University of West Florida – $150
Fifth Place: Christopher LeDuc – Trombone – University of West Florida – $150
Sixth Place: David Garcia – Trombone – University of West Florida – $150
Thanks to our distinguished sponsors:
- Arts, Culture, & Entertainment Inc.
- Florida Department of State Division of Arts and Culture
- Studer Foundation
- Schmidt’s Music
Thanks also to our Jazz Education Team Supporters (JETS):
Dr. Michele Brandhorst, Steve Douglas, John and Myrl Eisinger, Carolyn Tokson, Bobby van Deusen, Roger and Kat Villines, and Roger and Ellen Vinson
