The 2021 National Jazz Awards will recognise Australia’s leading young jazz pianists.
Each year, the Wangaratta Festival of Jazz and Blues recognises young, talented musicians through the National Jazz Awards.
Focusing on a different instrument each year, the 2021 iteration of the awards will spotlight jazz piano prodigies.
What you need to know
- The 2021 National Jazz Awards is searching for Australia’s best young jazz pianists
- Submissions close on Tuesday August 31
- Wangaratta Festival of Jazz and Blues is happening from Friday October 28 – Sunday October 31
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For over three decades, the National Jazz Awards have played a role in recognising and nurturing Australian talent, with many past winners going on to achieve national and international success.
A staple of the Wangaratta Festival of Jazz and Blues, the prestigious annual awards look to bolster the careers of emerging artists through exposure and a financial boost.
The winner of this year’s National Jazz Award will walk away with a $7,000 cash prize and a recording session at Melbourne’s Pughouse Studios. The runner-up will receive a cash prize of $4,000, and a cash prize of $2,000 will be awarded for third place.
High-level pianists aged 36 or younger are invited to nominate themselves for this year’s award by Sunday August 31.
Winners will be decided by a judging panel including 1999 National Jazz Award winner Matt McMahon, ARIA Award winning pianist Andrea Keller, and Stephen Grant.
Ten finalists will be invited to perform in the semi-finals at this year’s Wangaratta Festival of Jazz and Blues where the top three will be decided, with the winner announced at the festival on Tuesday October 31.
Wangaratta Festival of Jazz and Blues is happening from Friday October 28 – Sunday October 31. Visit the festival website for tickets or to enter the 2021 National Jazz Awards.
