Media Release
4 April 2012
Jazz Singers in the Spotlight
Australia’s most prestigious jazz instrumental competition, the National Jazz Awards, will put the spotlight on Australia’s leading young jazz singers this year. Vocalists up to the age of 35 will be vying for a spot in the final 10, who will compete at this year’s Wangaratta Jazz festival in November.
Increased prizemoney is on offer this year, with the winner receiving $10,000, the runner-up $5000, and the third placegetter $2500. In addition to these cash prizes, the winner will be invited to record in the ABC studios for ABC Classic FM’s ‘Jazztrack With Mal Stanley’, and to perform in the 2013 Stonnington Jazz festival.
The National Jazz Awards have been an integral part of Australia’s premier jazz festival since Wangaratta Jazz began in 1990. This year will be the first time that vocals have been featured since 2005, when the first prize was awarded to Elana Stone.
Renowned jazz pianist Mike Nock will again serve as chairman of judges for the Awards this year. He will be joined by leading Melbourne jazz singer Michelle Nicolle, who was the first vocalist to win the National Jazz Awards back in 1998 ; and renowned vocalist-trumpeter-bandleader Vince Jones.
Entrants must be no older than 35, as at 1 November 2012. The closing date for entries is 1 June.
The Festival’s artistic director, Adrian Jackson, said, “I know there are a lot of very talented jazz singers out there who will want to consider entering the Awards this year. They might be vocalists who already enjoy a strong reputation, or younger musicians who are in the early stages of their career. Either way, they would benefit from the incentives and the increased media profile that can flow from doing well in the National Jazz awards.”
The judging panel will assess the recordings submitted on a blindfold basis. The ten highest-ranked entrants will then be invited to participate in the finals at the 2012 Wangaratta Jazz festival, on the weekend of 2 - 5 November. They will perform with a stellar band, featuring pianist Sam Keevers.
The finals, on Sunday 4 November, will be broadcast live to air nationally on ‘Jazztrack with Mal Stanley’, on ABC Classic FM, from 5.00pm.
Media Release
22 February 2012
Festival appoints Chairperson
The Wangaratta Jazz Festival Board of Directors is delighted to announce the appointment of Max White to the recently advertised position of chairperson.
Festival Deputy Chair, Catherine Wall said, “We consider ourselves very lucky to have a chair with the business acumen and commercial experience of Max, as well as a genuine passion to serve the local community. Max is an individual who has already given a great deal, having served on a number of community boards over the years.
Max, a retired scientist and business executive, now acts as an adviser or board member on community boards and as a mentor to CEOs. He was a director of Wangaratta Unlimited for over 10 years. He is currently an Adjunct Professor at RMIT University.
Welcome 2012!!
This year the festival runs from 2-5 November
Thank you to all of our valued patrons who have provided valuable feedback about our festival.
2011 saw some huge challenges conquered and we are now busy preparing another first-class program for 2012, so stay tuned for what is set to be a huge year for our festival.
National Jazz Awards (Drums) 2011 finalists (L-R):
Ben Falle, Perth (second), Tim Firth, Sydney (first), and David Goodman, Sydney (third)
Quote from Rhythms Magazine:
"Lets face it: even amongst the crowded festival scene, there is something truly unique about the Wangaratta Festival - the high quality of the music, its contribution to the development of Australian jazz, the goodwill of the city and its hundreds of volunteers, who annually play host to thousands of music fans. But what makes this Festival truly unique is the special place it holds for Australian jazz musicians, who seem compelled to come up with their very best work when playing there, turning in performances that become, in a sense, classic moments of Australian jazz. Ask any regular festival-goer, and they'll reel them off. Hopefully....there'll be plenty more such moments in the years to come." - Des Cowley, Rhythms, December 2011