2025 Piano Competition Application

The Jacksonville Jazz Festival Piano Competition presented by Yamaha has been a Jacksonville tradition for over 30 years. The competition, hosted by the City of Jacksonville Office of Sports and Entertainment, will take place on Thursday, May 22, 2025 at The Florida Theatre, where five finalists, chosen through a blind judging process in March, will compete for first place. The 1st-place winner will receive a monetary prize and will perform onstage during the Jacksonville Jazz Festival.

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 for two consecutive years may not apply the third year.
• Applicants must reside in the United States at the time of the competition.

Awards

1. First Place Winner $5,000
2. Second Place Winner $2,000
3. Third Place Winner $1,000

In addition to the award, the competition winner will perform onstage during the Jacksonville Jazz Festival. This performance by the winner is required, as the cash award will be provided at the conclusion of the performance. Each finalist will receive complimentary VIP access for two to attend the Jacksonville Jazz Festival.

Entry

• Submit up to 3 songs for consideration. Links will be accepted in SoundCloud format and Google Drive links ONLY and they must be downloadable.
• Submit a completed application form
• Submit biography
• $50.00 USD entry fee

The entry fee will not be refunded if an applicant withdraws their submission.

Entries must be submitted by Sunday, February 23rd, 2025 at 11:59 pm EST.

All entrants will be notified by the week of March 17, 2025 of their status.

Repertoire Requirements

• Please ONLY submit a clean, high-quality recording 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, up-tempo/swing, etc.
• Make sure the form and melody are recognizable.
• Include at least one solo piece and two with a rhythm section (acoustic, bass and drums only) no strings, horn sections, vocalists, etc.
• Indicate any special instructions regarding playback on the application.
• 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 a refund.

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