PARMIGIANI MONTREUX JAZZ SOLO PIANO COMPETITION
INFORMATION
Since 1967, the world’s greatest jazz pianists have graced the stages of the Montreux Jazz Festival. Their biographies tell tumultuous tales of hard work and artistic endeavor, but also of solidarity with fellow musicians and magical opportunities. In 1999, the desire to provide one such opportunity led Claude Nobs, founder of the Festival, to create the world’s first international Solo Piano Competition for professional jazz pianists. His aim was not only to lend a helping hand to young musicians struggling for recognition, but also to enable them to meet pianists of the same age and level from other countries. The Solo Piano Competition is open to musicians under the age of 30. The organizers receive entries from over fourty different countries. In the spring, around ten to fifteen pianists are selected to take part in the semifinals and final at the Montreux Jazz Festival, in front of a jury of professionals and a discerning international audience. Musicians, record company representatives and producers seeking new talent take their seats among the general public. During the Festival, the competing pianists are encouraged to exchange their experiences and forge friendships and are given plenty of opportunities to attend concerts and workshops together in Montreux. Only four prizes are awarded each year. But the organizers believe that all the participants leave Montreux with the conviction that they have taken their career one step further through this culturally enriching musical experience. LOCATION The semifinals, the final and the awards ceremony take place at Petit Théâtre – Montreux Palace. THE BALIK FARM PRIZE The Balik Studio prize consists in 4 complete days in a professional studio recording, accommodation and a professional sound engineer for the recording of the cd. The Balik Farm Studio prize is non-­‐transferable and is not redeemable for cash or credit, in whole or in part. Travel expenses are to be covered entirely by the winner. SOLO PIANO COMPETITION WINNERS 2014 Lorenz Kellhuber (Germany) http://lorenzkellhuber.bandpage.com 2013 Jerry Léonide (Mauritius) www.jerryleonide.com 2012 Marialy Pacheco (Cuba) www.marialypacheco.com 2011 Piotr Orzechowski (Poland) www.piotrorzechowski.pl 2010 Nikolay Sidorenko (Russia) 2009 Isfar Sarabski (Ex æquo) (Azerbaijan) Beka Gochiashvili (Ex aequo) (Georgia) 2008 Gaël Rakotondrabe (France) www.myspace.com/gaelrakotondrabe 2007 Rolando Luna Carrillo (Cuba) www.mp3.com/artist/rolando-­‐luna-­‐carrillo 2006 Dan Tepfer (USA / France) www.dantepfer.com 2005 Harold Lopez-­‐Nussa Torres (Cuba) www.myspace.com/haroldlopeznussa 2004 Robert Botos (Hungary) www.myspace.com/robibotosmusic 2003 Tigran Hamasayan (Armenia) www.tigranhamasyan.com 2002 Marius Vernescu (Romania) www.softrecords.ro 2001 Robert Lakatos (Hungary) www.myspace.com/robertlakatos 2000 Daniel Szabo (Hungary) www.szabodaniel.com PARMIGIANI MONTREUX JAZZ SOLO PIANO COMPETITION
INFORMATION
1999 Leo Tardin (Switzerland) www.leotardin.com JURY The competition is placed under the patronage of Quincy Jones, extraordinary ambassador to the Montreux Jazz Festival, with the collaboration of pianists and musicians from the international jazz scene. The jury has been presided by: 2014 Monty Alexander 2013 Iiro Rantala 2012 Leszek Mozdzer 2011 Tommy LiPuma 2010 Yaron Herman 2009 Chucho Valdés 2007 & 2008 Fazil Say 2005 & 2006 Joe Sample 2004 Michel Camilo 2003 James Williams 2002 Joe Sample 2001 Randy Weston 2000 John Lewis 1999 George Duke TRAVEL AND ACCOMODATION Travel and accommodation expenses are to be covered entirely by the candidates. However, the Montreux Jazz Festival office can help by providing addresses of hotels and youth hostels in the area and by sending semifinalists an invitation that can be used to seek funding from cultural institutions in their native countries. PIANOS Artists are guaranteed regular access to a piano for practice during the competition period at the Montreux Conservatory. The Montreux Conservatory for rehearsals will be open from 10am till 7pm (aprox.) By clicking on the “I Accept” check box in the application website of the Parmigiani Montreux Jazz Solo Piano Competition 2015 entry form, the Artist confirms to have read, understood and accepted the rules and regulations and information of the Competition and to comply with them. By clicking on the “I Accept” check box in the application website of the Parmigiani Montreux Jazz Solo Piano Competition 2015 entry form, the Artist confirms the accuracy of the documents and information sent.