The semi-finalists for the 2023 Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz International Piano Competition have been announced. The eleven young pianists will compete for more than $150,000 in scholarships and prizes, including a $50,000 first place award, $25,000 second place award, and $10,000 third place award. The semi-finalists are: Alan Bartuš of Lučenec, Slovakia; Joe Block of Philadelphia, Pa.; Caelan Cardello of Teaneck, N.J.; Esteban Castro of Hackensack, N.J.; Paul Cornish of Houston, Tex.; Brandon Goldberg of Miami, Fla.; Connor Rohrer of Mechanicsburg,Pa.; Dabin Ryu of Seoul, South Korea; Jahari Stampley of Chicago, Ill.; Jordan Isaiah Williams of Philadelphia, Pa.; and Jenny Xu of Surrey and Vancouver, B.C.
The semi-finals will be held Saturday, October 14 at the Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC-NYC) in New York City. Each semifinalist will perform for 15 minutes accompanied by a rhythm section featuring bassist Rodney Whitaker and drummer Carl Allen. The judging panel includes Bill Charlap, Orrin Evans, Hancock, Hiromi and Danilo Perez. Three finalists will then compete in the finals on Sunday, October 15, also at PAC-NYC. While the judges deliberate, there will be a gala concert held featuring Ambrose Akinmusire, Jean Baylor, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Terri Lyne Carrington, Anat Cohen, Joe Lovano, Romero Lubambo, Michael Mayo, Somi, Helen Sung, Ben Williams and Lizz Wright. Noted keyboardist and arranger John Beasley will serve as the music director for the concert. Dianne Reeves will be presented with the organization’s Maria Fisher Founder’s Award. And the renowned architect Frank Gehry will receive the Institute’s Herbie Hancock Humanitarian Award for his commitment to arts education, especially jazz and classical music training for young people.
From 1987 until 2018, the Thelonious Monk Institute presented this competition, though the category of instrument changed throughout the years. Among the past winners are Joshua Redman, Jazzmeia Horn, Melissa Aldana, Cecile McLorin Salvant, Ambrose Akinmusire and other notable jazz artists.
The semi-finals at 1 pm on Saturday are free and open to the public. The finals and gala concert on Sunday comprise a paid event. Learn more here.
