Photo by Andrea Canter

Three outstanding young jazz pianists were awarded scholarships of $500 each at the finals of the First Annual Jazz Piano Scholarship Competition sponsored by the Dakota Foundation for Jazz Education (J-Train) and The Schubert Club. Established to reward excellence among students of America's great indigenous art form, the three scholarships were awarded following the finalists’ performances at the Dakota on April 24^th. The three scholarships were awarded to:

• Jacob Siegel, 16, of East View High School, Apple Valley, who received the David Paulus Memorial Award;

• Elizabeth Stoiaken, 17, a senior at DeLaSalle High School, Minneapolis, who received the Marie Froelich Memorial Award; and

• Micah Fitch, 18, a senior at Minneapolis South High School, who received the Dakota Foundation Scholarship.

Photo by Andrea Canter

The guest judges included noted area pianists Jeanne Arland Peterson and Adi Yeshaya, and music educator Jerry Shelton, who each offered a brief critique following each performer. The three finalists had been selected from two dozen applicants on the basis of submitted tapes or CDs of performance. For the finals, each pianist selected three pieces (one solo, two with combo). Backing up the young pianists were Twin Cities veterans, bassist Gordy Johnson and drummer Phil Hey. The finalists had no previous experience or rehearsal with their supporting cast.

Photo by Andrea Canter

Overall, the judges (and audience!) were very impressed with the quality of the three final performances:

Micah Fitch played a swinging rendition of Tad Dameron’s “Lady Bird,” a brooding solo on “Blue in Green” (Miles Davis), and a bouncing “Bouncin’ With Bud” (Fuller/Powell). Noted Jerry Shelton, “Ballads are the hardest things to play...” and the voicings were “very cool.” Jeanne Arland Peterson agreed—“terrific”—and suggested that Micah make use of the sustain pedal and, at times, the keyboard’s higher register. Said Adi Yeshaya, “Wow is right!” and suggested that Micah think about “what notes to take out of the voicing for clarity… it will swing harder with fewer notes.”

Photo by Andrea Canter

Jacob Siegel and the combo were swinging hard on Wayne Shorter’s “E.S.P,” while his solo on Coltrane’s “Naima” was taken at a slow, deliberate pace. On Chick Corea’s “Armando’s Rhumba” (a new one for Gordy Johnson and Phil Hey), Jacob ably managed the quirky rhythm. Said Jeanne Peterson, “You play with such ease…light-fingered…with great sensitivity.” Adi Yeshaya agreed, noting that Jacob had “resisted temptation to run the eighth notes” on “E.S.P.” Jerry Shelton noted that “you played my favorites…you’re such a creative guy”… and suggested that Jacob consider playing “more of the actual tune” on "Naima" to be sure the listener appreciated the melody.

Photo by Andrea Canter

Elizabeth Stoiaken artfully handled Monk’s classic “Straight, No Chaser,” beautifully moved through a solo on “Black Orpheus” (Bonfá), and closed with Dameron’s “Lady Bird” (also a choice of Micah Fitch). Jeanne Peterson was impressed by Elizabeth’s touch –“your fingers move beautifully;” Adi Yeshaya suggested she “extend the range of the piano" and, on the Monk tune, to “play the accent longer” to give it a “more legato feel.” Jerry Shelton described it as a “very classy performance.”

The Dakota Foundation for Jazz Education (J-Train) is a non-profit organization affiliated with the Minneapolis-based Dakota Jazz Club and Restaurant. Originated by Dakota co-owner Lowell Pickett and arts supporter, the late Jane Matteson, in 1997, the J-Train is dedicated to bringing jazz and education together through a variety of programs, from Sunday afternoon performances to seminars, clinics, and “dialogues” with area jazz artists. The Schubert Club is a long-standing St. Paul organization dedicated to the promotion and performance of classical music, including their renowned International Artists Concert series. Jazz programming and scholarships, new to the Schubert Club, were a priority of Jane Matteson, a Schubert Club Board member. In September 2005, the Schubert Club and The Dakota Foundation for Jazz Education will present the first annual Jane Matteson Award for notable contribution to the local jazz community and/or jazz education. Broader awareness and increased competition for the Jazz Piano Scholarships are expected in 2006.

As Jerry Shelton commented to all the finalists, “It must be great to be your parents, to have all this going on in your house.” And it was pretty great to be a listener in the audience on this Sunday afternoon and have all this spirited music on stage. There is no doubt that there is a bright future for jazz in the Twin Cities!

The Dakota J-Train sponsors many events throughout the year at the Dakota and in the community. The next event will be a performance by the Monona High School Jazz Band (from near Madison, WI) on Sunday afternoon, May 1, from 1:00-2:30 pm. The performance is free and open to the public. The Dakota is located at 1010 Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis; www.dakotacooks.com

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