DC Jazz Festival's international band competition applications are now live, recognizing the top rising jazz ensemble talent from around the globe
· Bands must show clear evidence as a functioning, performing ensemble for at least three consecutive years prior to time of application: groups should not establish a band with the purpose of competing in the DCJazzPrix.
· Should the band be selected as a finalist, each band member is required to compete in-person in Washington, DC during the 2022 DC JazzFest.
· Applicant bands may be affiliated or housed within music school departments or may be categorized as "stand-alone/self-contained" and/or professionally emerging ensembles, so long as they meet all of the entry criteria.
· Band personnel stability is stressed: band personnel may not change once the application is submitted
More information about the competition: https://www.dcjazzfest.org/dcjazzprix-apply
Picture: 2021 DCJazzPrix Co-Winners Giveton Gelin (L) & Dayramir Gonzalez (C) with host Aaron Myers (R)
DC Jazz Festival®(DCJF) is excited to announce that applications are now live for our annual international jazz band competition, DCJazzPrix. Potential applicants will find the full list of guidelines and submission requirements at dcjazzfest.org/dcjazzprix. The entry fee remains a modest $25 per band.
"DCJazzPrix is unique in that it aims to identify and showcase emerging and exceptional jazz band talent from an international perspective," said Sunny Sumter, DCJF CEO, adding “DCJazzPrix is designed to help launch and further promote the careers of emerging jazz ensembles who are committed to sustained and creative band development and performance opportunities.”
The co-winners of the 2021 DCJazzPrix, Giveton Gelin Quintet and Dayramir Gonzalez & Habana enTRANCé, each won a $15,000 cash prize and both will perform at the 2022 DC JazzFest at The Wharf on one of the main stages.
Different from other competitions, DCJazzPrix recognizes the essential interactions between band members as the core pursuit of the jazz aesthetic. Bands must be comprised of 2-9 members and each band member must be at least 18 years old, but not older than 45, as of April 1, 2022. The application deadline is Thursday, March 31 at 11:59 pm ET.
Additional eligibility requirements include:
· Bands may combine any instrumentation including conventional jazz strings and winds formats and/or percussion, voice(s), and technology. · Bands must show clear evidence as a functioning, performing ensemble for at least three consecutive years prior to time of application: groups should not establish a band with the purpose of competing in the DCJazzPrix.
· Should the band be selected as a finalist, each band member is required to compete in-person in Washington, DC during the 2022 DC JazzFest.
· Applicant bands may be affiliated or housed within music school departments or may be categorized as "stand-alone/self-contained" and/or professionally emerging ensembles, so long as they meet all of the entry criteria.
· Band personnel stability is stressed: band personnel may not change once the application is submitted
TheDCJazzPrix winner is awarded a $15,000 cash prize along with a year-long association with the DC Jazz Festival organization that includes extensive public exposure, technical assistance, personalized career development services; and a paid engagement to perform on the main stage at the 2023 DC JazzFest.
A prestigious jury evaluates eligible applications based on artistic excellence and artistic merit. At the end of the evaluation period, three finalist bands will be announced and invited to Washington, DC to compete in the DCJazzPrix Finals, part of 18thAnnual DC JazzFest.
DCJazzPrix is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Leonard and Elaine Silverstein Family Foundation; and the DCJazzPrix award thanks to Peter Gillon and the Galena-Yorktown Foundation.
The DC JazzFest continues to provide enriching and entertaining jazz performances for audiences of all backgrounds. For more information about the DC Jazz Festival, a nonprofit service organization, and the rest of our year-round programs, please visit www.dcjazzfest.org.
More information about the competition: https://www.dcjazzfest.org/dcjazzprix-apply
Picture: 2021 DCJazzPrix Co-Winners Giveton Gelin (L) & Dayramir Gonzalez (C) with host Aaron Myers (R)
