Jacksonville Jazz Festival - 2023 Piano Competition Application

The Jacksonville Jazz Festival Piano Competition presented by Keyboard Connection – The Piano Place has been a Jacksonville tradition for more than 30 years. The competition, hosted by the City of Jacksonville Division of Sports and Entertainment, will take place on Thursday, May 25, 2023 at The Florida Theatre, where five finalists, chosen through a blind judging process in March, will compete for the honor of this award. The winner will receive a monetary prize and will perform at the Jacksonville Jazz Festival on Sunday, May 28.

GUIDELINES

The Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition is open to any age acoustic jazz pianist who does not currently have or has not previously had a contract with a major record label at the organizer’s discretion. Previous first-place winners of the competition cannot apply. 

Previous finalists may apply. Finalists participating two consecutive years may not apply the third year.

Applicants must be residing in the United States at the time of the competition.

AWARDS

• First Place Winner – $5,000
• Second Place Winner – $2,000
• Third Place Winner – $1,000

In addition to the award, the competition winner will perform in the Jacksonville Jazz Festival on Sunday, May 28 Performance by the winner on this day is required, as the cash award will be provided at the conclusion of the performance. Each finalist will receive two complimentary VIP Full Festival packages for Friday, May 26 – Sunday, May 28, 2023.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

• Submit up to 3 songs for consideration. Links will be accepted in SoundCloud format ONLY. Must be downloadable.
• Submit a completed application form
• Submit high-resolution photo (minimum 800dpi)
• Submit biography
• $40.00 USD entry fee

If an applicant withdraws their submission, the entry fee will not be refunded.

Entries must be submitted by Sunday, February 26, 2023 at 11:59pm EST.

All entrants will be notified the week of March 13, 2023 of their status.

REPERTOIRE REQUIREMENTS

Please ONLY submit a clean, high-quality recording SoundCloud link in the registration form (judges will only listen to the audio). No other audio formats will be accepted. A poor recording and distracting background noise can overshadow an excellent performance and may result in disqualification. 

Indicate the name and composer of each song on the registration form, including such genres as blues, ballad, and up-tempo/swing, etc.

Make sure the form and melody are recognizable.

Include at least one solo piece and two pieces with a rhythm section (acoustic, bass and drums only). No strings, horn sections, vocalists, etc.

Indicate any special instructions on the application regarding playback.

Demonstrate your knowledge of jazz and your ability to play it. Choose a medley of songs that illustrate your taste and talent. Each piece must be played by memory.

Original pieces are acceptable. Recordings should not exceed 20 minutes in length.

Please do not state your name on the recording. Any such recording will be disqualified without refund.

Questions? Please contact Palmer Ferguson at PBFerguson@coj.net or 904-255-5431.