Celebrating the next generation of jazz musicians at the inaugural Jacob Neale Jazz Awards
Jazz musicians and enthusiasts from Newcastle, Sydney, and as far as Perth, travelled to Newcastle Conservatorium of Music on Saturday the 19th of July for the inaugural Jacob Neale Jazz Awards. The evening celebrated and showcased the next generation of emerging jazz musicians and in Jacob’s honour, exclusively focused on jazz pianists. Five finalists - Austin Salisbury, Freddie Stafford, Jacob McCormick, Tamis Hunter and Thomas Odell - were selected following the audition process to perform three pieces including an original jazz composition, standard and ballad.
Judges Mike Nock, Kevin Hunt and international judge Brenda Earle Stokes (who joined via Zoom from New York) had the extremely difficult task of picking the winner and runner up from the outstanding group of young finalists. The judges commented on how important it is in jazz to possess an individual voice through choice of repertoire, composition and expression. Each of the finalists certainly possessed formidable ability and individuality. Austin Salisbury was awarded the runner-up prize of $2500, and Thomas Odell took out the winning prize of $5000 as and title of the first ‘Winner of the 2025 Jacob Neale Jazz Awards’.
The Jacob Neale Jazz Awards have been created by the Newcastle music community in honour of Jacob Neale’s outstanding contribution to jazz and improvised music and were proudly presented by Newcastle Conservatorium of Music in collaboration with the Newcastle Improvised Music Association (NIMA), Adamstown Arts and the Newcastle and Hunter Jazz Club. You can donate to the Jacob Neale Jazz Awards here. Please also look out for future events throughout the year in support of continuing these awards that provide a unique and rewarding experience for our regional and national upcoming jazz musicians.
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