Cody Peterson, Joe Strachan, and Chris Misa©Andrea Canter

Three outstanding young jazz pianists were awarded scholarships of $500 each at the finals of the Fifth Annual Jazz Piano Scholarship Competition sponsored by the Dakota Foundation for Jazz Education 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 Jazz Club on May 17th. The three scholarships were awarded to:

• Chris Misa, a senior at the Perpich Center for Arts Education, who received the Marie Froelich Memorial Award;
• Cody Peterson, a senior at Stillwater High School, who received the David Paulus Memorial Award; and
• Joe Strachan, a senior at Northfield High School, who received the Jane Matteson Scholarship.

Marcus Roberts©Andrea Canter

The judges included noted area pianists Mary Louise Knutson and Tanner Taylor, along with special guest Marcus Roberts, who each offered a critique following the three performances. The three finalists had been selected 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 Adam Linz and drummer Phil Hey. The finalists had no previous experience or rehearsal with their supporting cast. 

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

Chris Misa (Marie Froehlich Scholarship; student of Nachito Herrera) played “Giant Steps” (John Coltrane), soloed on “My Funny Valentine” (Rodgers and Hart), and finished with “Donna Lee” (Miles Davis). The judges praised his “creative energy” and offered diverse reactions to his arrangement of “My Funny Valentine,” which included a long introduction melding Bach to the familiar standard. Judges advised Chris to carefully consider how to integrate the classical and jazz components.  Roberts offered some advice that he echoed in his other critiques—to add more “rhythmic and dynamic diversity” and to “listen to drummers.” Chris plans to pursue music studies at DePaul University in Chicago in the fall. 

The finalists and the judges©Andrea Canter

Joe Strachan (Jane Matteson Scholarship, Dale Schatzlein Performance Award, student of Laura Caviani) also selected “Stella By Starlight” for his solo tune, and boldly offered an original composition to lead off his set, “Harvest Moon,” closing with “Cherokee” (Ray Noble). Knutson noted his daring in playing an original tune that the band had never seen before, and suggested that he consider varying the volume more. She noted his creative use of color and texture in his rendition of “Stella.”  Taylor noted Joe’s self confidence, his strong left hand fills on “Stella,” the difficulty of “Cherokee.” Roberts praised his rhythmic imagination (“You could be a drummer!”), use of cross rhythms, and ability to project his personality into the music. He also recommended that Joe consider “When should there be silence?” and suggested more swing, more dynamic variation, and to “play bebop melodically.” Joe will attend the Lawrence University Conservatory in Appleton, WI next fall. 

Joe Strachan and Lowell Pickett©Andrea Canter

The Dakota Foundation for Jazz Education is a non-profit organization sponsored by the Minneapolis-based Dakota Jazz Club and Restaurant, dedicated to bringing jazz and education together. Originated in 1997 by Dakota co-owner Lowell Pickett and benefactor, the late Jane Matteson, the Foundation provides a variety of activities including sponsorship of the Dakota Combo with the MacPhail Center for Music, summer jazz camp scholarships, and clinics and other performance opportunities for young musicians. The Schubert Club is a long-standing St. Paul organization dedicated to the promotion and performance of classical music, including their renowned International Concert series.  

The annual jazz piano scholarship competition is open to students in grades 9–12. For information about the 2010 competition, see www.Schubert.org 

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