Nicholas Paul, winner of the University of West Florida and Kathleen T. and Phillip B. Phillips Jazz Piano Competition, performed at Pensacola JazzFest on Saturday March 30, 2007. Paul is a student from California State University at Northridge and is already a professional having performed with veteran vocalist Tony Bennett.
The UWF/Phillips Jazz Piano competition was the second in a continuing series. Ten thousand dollars in prize money was awarded in this national competition with $5,000 being awarded this year's winner.
Other finalists were Jeremy Siskind, student from Eastman School of music in Rochester, NY and Glenn Persello-Seefeld, a student from Michigan State University, winning second and third place, respectively. Honorable mentions went to Maxwell Haymer, student from University of California at Irvine and Samuel Farley, student from Eastman School of Music.
Kyle Marrero, Chair of the Department of Music at UWF said, “This event has become a nationally recognized competition and an opportunity for the country's best jazz pianists to showcase their talents. The generosity of the Phillips family and their vision are the driving force behind its success."
The piano competition finals were held Friday March 29 at Pensacola's Saenger Theater before an audience of over 600. Judges for the event were John Colianni of New York City, former music director and pianist for late vocalist Mel Torme' and New Orleans pianist Tom McDermott. Both McDermott and Colianni were featured artists at Pensacola JazzFest #24 held March 30-April 1 in Pensacola's historic, downtown Seville Square. Also judging was Jose Bevia, doctoral candidate in music at Florida State U, Tallahassee. He was winner of last year's UWF/Phillips jazz piano competition.
The UWF/Phillips Jazz Piano Competition is open to currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate students, ages 17 through 35, from colleges and universities throughout the U. S. For information and media inquiries, contact Jerre Brisky, Assistant Director Center for Fine and Performing Arts, University of West Florida, (850) 857-6057 or e-mail [email protected]. The 2008 jazz piano competition is scheduled for Friday April 4, 2008 with the winner performing on the Pensacola JazzFest stage Saturday April 5.
The UWF/Phillips Jazz Piano competition was the second in a continuing series. Ten thousand dollars in prize money was awarded in this national competition with $5,000 being awarded this year's winner.
Other finalists were Jeremy Siskind, student from Eastman School of music in Rochester, NY and Glenn Persello-Seefeld, a student from Michigan State University, winning second and third place, respectively. Honorable mentions went to Maxwell Haymer, student from University of California at Irvine and Samuel Farley, student from Eastman School of Music.
Kyle Marrero, Chair of the Department of Music at UWF said, “This event has become a nationally recognized competition and an opportunity for the country's best jazz pianists to showcase their talents. The generosity of the Phillips family and their vision are the driving force behind its success."
The piano competition finals were held Friday March 29 at Pensacola's Saenger Theater before an audience of over 600. Judges for the event were John Colianni of New York City, former music director and pianist for late vocalist Mel Torme' and New Orleans pianist Tom McDermott. Both McDermott and Colianni were featured artists at Pensacola JazzFest #24 held March 30-April 1 in Pensacola's historic, downtown Seville Square. Also judging was Jose Bevia, doctoral candidate in music at Florida State U, Tallahassee. He was winner of last year's UWF/Phillips jazz piano competition.
The UWF/Phillips Jazz Piano Competition is open to currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate students, ages 17 through 35, from colleges and universities throughout the U. S. For information and media inquiries, contact Jerre Brisky, Assistant Director Center for Fine and Performing Arts, University of West Florida, (850) 857-6057 or e-mail [email protected]. The 2008 jazz piano competition is scheduled for Friday April 4, 2008 with the winner performing on the Pensacola JazzFest stage Saturday April 5.
For more information contact Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services.
