International Jury
Left to right. Jean Toussaint (Guildhall London), George Robert, Jeremy N White, Bruce Lundvall (President Blue Note Records), Charles and Dorothy Lloyd, Soweto Kinch, Alyn Shipton (BBC)
Australian Jamie Oehlers Wins White Foundation World Sax Competition Montreux Jazz Festival
Australian tenor saxophone virtuoso Jamie Oehlers won the White Foundation World Sax Competition at this year’s Montreux Jazz Festival. There were sixty entrants from all over the world, and this year's semi- finalists included players from Australia, Denmark, Holland, Hungary, the USA and Scotland, and the youngest player in the contest was just fourteen. As well as Charles Lloyd, the judges included Bruce Lundvall of Blue Note Records, saxophonists George Robert and Jean Toussaint, Alyn Shipton of the BBC and last year's winner Soweto Kinch together with competition founder, philanthropist and entrepreneur Jeremy White.
After three evenings of intense semi-finals, the final came down to Jamie Oehlers and Willow Nielson from Australia, Xavier Perez from the United States, and Paul Towndrow from Scotland. All met with an incredible response from the capacity audience at the competition's new home, the lakeside
concert hall of the Petit Palais, just a stone's throw from the main festival site, where the contestants could rub shoulders with all the main artists appearing, from stars of hip hop and pop to the all star cast of singers Concord had shipped in to sing with the German Radio big band.Australian tenor saxophone virtuoso Jamie Oehlers won the White Foundation World Sax Competition at this year’s Montreux Jazz Festival. There were sixty entrants from all over the world, and this year's semi- finalists included players from Australia, Denmark, Holland, Hungary, the USA and Scotland, and the youngest player in the contest was just fourteen. As well as Charles Lloyd, the judges included Bruce Lundvall of Blue Note Records, saxophonists George Robert and Jean Toussaint, Alyn Shipton of the BBC and last year's winner Soweto Kinch together with competition founder, philanthropist and entrepreneur Jeremy White.
After three evenings of intense semi-finals, the final came down to Jamie Oehlers and Willow Nielson from Australia, Xavier Perez from the United States, and Paul Towndrow from Scotland. All met with an incredible response from the capacity audience at the competition's new home, the lakeside
concert hall of the Petit Palais, just a stone's throw from the main festival site, where the contestants could rub shoulders with all the main artists appearing, from stars of hip hop and pop to the all star cast of singers Concord had shipped in to sing with the German Radio big band.
All Star Rhythm Section
This years rhythm section was lead by Geri Allen on piano, Robert Hurst on bass and Eric Harland. These world famous musicians are touring with Charles Lloyd and generously offered to support the White Foundation's competition.
The competition was held at the Petit Palace on the shore of Lake Geneva in the heart of the Montreux Jazz Festival with seating for 450.This years rhythm section was lead by Geri Allen on piano, Robert Hurst on bass and Eric Harland. These world famous musicians are touring with Charles Lloyd and generously offered to support the White Foundation's competition.
The competition was held at the Petit Palace on the shore of Lake Geneva in the heart of the Montreux Jazz Festival with seating for 450.
Soweto Kinch Launches New Single
Dune Records has released their first ever single with a CD and 12in vinyl of Soweto Kinch performing Jazz Planet. www.dune-music.com
Paul Towndrow Launches New Album
Paul Towndrow's new album Colours (FMR FMRCD124-J0603) received a four star rating in Jazzwise. Featuring Towndrow on alto and soprano sax, Paul Harrison piano, Ross Hamilton bass, Alyn Cosker drums, Ryan Auigley trumpet. "He is an impressive technician who plays with power and passion...a sound grounded in bop and swing idioms, but explores well beyond those conventions in his playing and writing". Kenny Mathieson JazzWise
2003 Selected Entrants to play at Montreux
Rahsaan BARBER USA
Gabor BOLLA Hungary
Alex HAN USA
Ben KOPPEL Denmark
Willow NEILSON Australia
Jamie OEHLERS Australia (second prize 2002)
Xavier PEREZ USA
David REX Australia
Kenny SHANKER USA
Phil STOCKLI Switzerland
Paul TOWNDROW Scotland
Paul VAN DER FEEN Netherlands