WELCOME TO THE
HOW I FELL IN LOVE WITH JAZZ
Video Contest & The Jazz Foundation of America's COVID-19 Musicians' Emergency Fund
Just a few months ago, before the COVID pandemic, no one would have imagined a time when musicians couldn’t play together, when there were no gigs, and when playing for live audiences was not possible. We all need music in our lives—COVID or NO COVID. Connecting through music is more important now than ever. We also wanted to show our support to artists during these times when live performance is on hold . That’s why we are sponsoring the How I Fell in Love with Jazz contest.
Music has the incredible power to move us, to inspire us, to stir us up, and to bring us joy, peace and tranquility. Music touches the hearts and souls of millions, connects us and brings us together. We believe that the unifying power of music and its healing power can bring hope and light to the world.
Jazz music occupies a very special place in the universe. It is an international art form. It is a language and a platform for personal expression, creativity and spontaneity. Jazz is created “in the moment” and yet, it remains timeless. The range of Jazz idioms and styles is vast, yet its interpretation creates a unique and extremely personal connection between artists and listeners, unlike that of any other form of artistic expression. Jazz transcends cultures and borders. It is universal and provides a common bond to bring disparate peoples closer together. We wanted to find a way to share the joy of Jazz with each other.
So, here's what we would like to know: How did you fall in love with Jazz?
We are looking for 60-second video diaries detailing how Jazz fans and performers alike fell in love with Jazz music. You don’t need to be a performer to enter. You just need to be a lover of Jazz music. Simply, pull out your recording device and tell us how your passion of Jazz came to be. Be creative as to how you present your story!
1ST PRIZE - $2,500
2ND PRIZE - $1,000
(100) CROWD FAVORITES - $100 EACH
Plus,
A CHARITABLE DONATION OF $50,000 TO THE JAZZ FOUNDATION OF AMERICA's COVID-19 MUSICIANS' EMERGENCY FUND
A donation of $50,000 has been made to The Jazz Foundation of America's COVID-19 Musicians' Emergency Fund from the Kent and Martha Savage Family Charitable Fund.
For more details, please see our Official Rules.
**NO REGISTRATION FEE OR PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN.
MEET THE JUDGES
AL DI MEOLA
Al Di Meola—Jazz guitar hero and perennial poll-winner. Al Di Meola has been recognized internationally over the past four decades as a virtuoso of the highest order. A prolific composer and prodigious six-string talent, Al Di Meola has amassed over 20 albums as a leader while collaborating on a dozen or so others with the likes of the fusion supergroup Return to Forever (with Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke and Lenny White), the celebrated acoustic guitar trio featuring fellow virtuosos John McLaughlin and Paco de Lucia, and the Rite of Strings trio with bassist Clarke and violinist Jean-Luc Ponty. To learn more about Al and his music, visit https://www.aldimeola.com/
DORTHAAN KIRK
Dorthaan Kirk—honored as a 2020 Jazz Master by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)—our country’s highest honor for Jazz. Dorthaan, widow of Rashaan Roland Kirk, has been a lifelong ambassador of Jazz and has often been referred to a New Jersey’s first lady of Jazz. She has been active as a curator and producer of Jazz events, is an avid supporter of musicians and jazz education for youth, and has been the recipient of numerous awards for her community-based initiatives in the arts, such as the Humanitarian Award from the American Conference on Diversity. To learn more Dorthaan’s recognition as an NEA Jazz Master, visit https://www.sfjazz.org/onthecorner/nea-jazz-masters-qa-dorthaan-kirk/
KARRIN ALLYSON
Karrin Allyson—is a five-time Grammy Nominee in the category of Best Jazz Vocal. A highly acclaimed Jazz vocalist, pianist and songwriter Ms. Allyson is widely recognized as one of the most gifted voices of her generation. The most recent releases by Karrin are her all-original "Some of that Sunshine” and “Shoulder to Shoulder: Centennial Tribute to Women’s Suffrage featuring Karrin Allyson Sextet.” The New York Times, called her a "singer with a feline touch and impeccable intonation." To learn more about Karrin and her Music, visit karrin.com
HOUSTON PERSON
Houston Person—a legendary “Boss Tenor,” Jazz saxophonist, and record producer. Although he has performed in the hard bop and swing genres, he is best known for his work in soul jazz. He received the Eubie Blake Jazz Award in 1982. Houston has recorded over 75 albums in his career as a soloist and bandleader including recordings with Charles Brown, Ron Carter, Bill Charlap, Charles Earland, Lena Horne, Etta Jones, Lou Rawls, Janis Siegel, Horace Silver, Dakota Staton, Cedar Walton, plus Billy Butler, Don Patterson, Grant Green, Sonny Phillips, Johnny "Hammond" Smith, Richard "Groove" Holmes, and others. To learn more about Houston and his music, click: https://inter-jazz.com/web/artists/houston-person/
NORIKO UEDA
Noriko Ueda—a pre-eminent Jazz Bassist, composer, and bandleader. Noriko was the B.E.S.T. scholarship recipient for the Berklee College of Music in Boston and a winner of the BMI Charlie Parker Award for Jazz composition. Noriko tours with The Diva Jazz Orchestra, Artemis Jazz-supergroup, and with her own trio and orchestra. She has performed at many historical Jazz venues including Carnegie Hall, Blue Note New York, Jazz at Lincoln Center/Dizzy’s Club, John F Kennedy Center, Hollywood Bowl, Blue Note Tokyo, and Birdland. To learn more about Noriko and her music, visit norikoueda.com
WATCH EXAMPLES
Please note that some of these videos exceed the required 60 seconds to include our branding.
GO OVER THE GUIDELINES
WHAT DO I SUBMIT?
To enter our contest, you need to submit a short video (max. 60 seconds) telling us how you fell in love with Jazz. You may also include how your love for Jazz has evolved over the years, your favorite Jazz genre/musician/band/song/album, etc. and what makes that choice special for you.
Your video must be in English. You can submit up to three entries throughout the contest.
***You must be a legal resident of the US, Canada (excluding Quebec) or the UK in order to enter this contest.
HOW SHOULD I PRESENT MY STORY?
Feel free to tell YOUR Jazz love story in YOUR own way. Your video can be as simple as you telling your story on camera with a background that you feel is appropriate or it can be a more elaborate production with multiple camera angles, edits, special effects, and props. The most important thing is that your story is told enthusiastically and passionately in a way that will help viewers to understand your love for Jazz music.
WHAT ELSE SHOULD I KNOW?
All accepted video entries will be displayed in our online gallery allowing for public viewing and voting. Entries with the highest number of votes will be further evaluated by our panel of judges, who will determine the first-prize winner and second-prize winner. To “get out the vote,” we encourage you to promote yourself like crazy! Light up all your social media platforms, and let your friends, family and followers know. Read the full guidelines here.
-
Submission Period: October 1, 2020 @ 8 AM ET - November 21, 2020 @ 11:59 PM ET
-
Voting Period: October 1, 2020 @ 8 AM ET - November 28, 2020 @ 11:59 PM ET
-
Judging Period: December 2, 2020 @ 12 AM ET- December 16, 2020 @11:59 PM ET
