A UNIQUE 2020 STUDENT JAZZ COMPETITION
Due to COVID-19 health concerns, Jazz Pensacola canceled the March 16 “live” finals of the 2020 Student Jazz Competition at Phineas Phogg’s in Seville Quarter, downtown Pensacola.
Despite the pandemic, Jazz Pensacola creatively carried on with a “digital”competition!
Jazz Pensacola conducted the finals via submitted recordings, similar to the preliminary application process. Students’ recordings of two tunes (one blues and one non-blues) were sent as mp3 or mp4 file formats and emailed to the three judges — professional musicians Rebecca Barry, Allen Beeson and Steve Douglas — planned for the live finals. Judges assessed and ranked students’ performances. The competition still included three divisions: College Instrumental, High School Instrumental and Jazz Vocal.
Roger Villines — competition leader, Jazz Pensacola past president, professional musician — combined the rankings to arrive at the overall placements. Students were notified of the results and received award checks via mail. Monetary awards ranged from $100 to $500.
The 10th Annual Student Jazz Competition survived! The winners:
High School Instrumental
1st Place Jon-Grayson Kerr, Trombone, Fairhope High School, $400
2nd Place Joshua Mullikin, Tenor Sax, Booker T. Washington High School, $200
3rd Place Jesse Keenan, Piano, Home school, $100
Jazz Vocal
1st Place Jane Chakraborty, Pensacola High School, $400
2nd Place Selena Neal, University of West Florida, $200
College Instrumental
1st Place Jensen Cadenhead, Vibraphone, University of West Florida, $500
2nd Place Maximilian Levesque, Bass, University of West Florida, $300
3rd Place Christopher Cannon, Piano, Northwest Florida State College, $150
4th Place Duncan Miller, Alto Sax, University of West Florida, $100
4th Place Noemi Ruiz, Trumpet, University of West Florida, $100
Note: Tie for 4th Place
Thank You to our Jazz Education Team Supporters (JETS)
John & Myrl Eisinger
Paul & Marliese Herrick
Ralph & Patricia Knowles
Marty Libowsky
Kathy Lyon
Knox & Holly Parker
Dave & Becca Schmidt
Tom & Karen Stanmore
Carolyn Tokson & Jeff Elliot
Dr. F. Norman & Betty Vickers
Roger & Kat Villines
Justine Ward
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Previous flyer and application for reference/info:
Click here to download the informational flyer. (PDF, 250K)
Click here to download the application form. (PDF, 350K)
Backing Tracks
Need a backing track for your application? Click on the appropriate links below to download:
College Instrumental
Billie's Bounce Billie's Bounce (Drums) On Green Dolphin Street
On Green Dolphin(Drums) Straight No Chaser Take the A Train
High School Instrumental
Autumn Leaves 3 Chor Autumn Leaves 4 Chor Blue Monk
Fly Me to the Moon 3 Chor Fly Me to the Moon 4 Chor Now's the Time
Vocal
Autumn Leaves Fly Me to the Moon Route 66
Note: These files are provided for the use of our student competitors and are not for sale or other distribution. Unauthorized use of these audio files is prohibited.
Questions about the competition or backing tracks: Email Roger Villines, [email protected]