Young musicians shine at JazzFests Jumpstart Competition

Emerging jazz stars from around New Zealand gave their all for the finals of ASB Queenstown JazzFest’s Jumpstart national youth competitions over Labour Weekend.

Twenty-seven musicians aged between 12 and 25 showcased their talents at the JazzFest’s Jumpstart competition in the AJ Hackett Bungy Youth Competition (12-17 years) and the NZONE Emerging Talent Competition (18-25 years).

Heats for the AJ Hackett Bungy Youth Competition were held at St Peter’s Parish Hall on Saturday and the finalists - three bands, three solo vocalists and three solo instrumentalists - played to an appreciative audience at the Village Green on Sunday.

Two sixteen-year olds from Queenstown dominated the solo vocal section with Max Gunn singing his way to first place and $600 cash and runner-up Miki Brown taking home $200.

First place in the solo instrumental category was 17-year old guitarist Young Chan Kang from Christchurch who took home $600. Second place and $200 went to the youngest finalist in the competition – 13-year old Harim Oh from Alexandra who wowed the crowds with his clarinet skills.

Hoodoo Voodoo from Dunedin emerged victorious in the battle of the bands, winning $1500 cash. All contestants received a free AJ Hackett bungy jump.

The judges - Sue Patterson, a vocal teacher in Queenstown, and Karen Neill from the School of Rock - were delighted with the range of musical talent on show.

The 14 NZONE Emerging Talent Competition finalists were chosen from DVD and YouTube submissions and performed at the Millennium Hotel on Sunday evening.

First place and $1,000 cash went to 24-year old vocalist Saelyn Guyton from Invercargill, Amy Jansen, a 21-year old from Christchurch, took second place and $400 cash and third place went to 19-year old Queenstowner David Bell, who sang an original composition. The three finalists also received a free NZONE skydive.

Up and coming drummer Jeremy Hantler, a 21-year old from Wellington, won the solo instrumental category and $1,000 cash. Second place and $400 went to 21-year old guitarist Burke Goffe from Christchurch while third place went to 23-year old alto-saxophonist Blair Clarke from Wellington who played an original composition. A Highly Commended was also given to young female drummer Andie Gibbs. Each of the three finalists also received a free NZONE skydive.

All NZONE Emerging Talent finalists were given free entry to a workshop, forum or masterclass of their choice from the jazz festival’s development programme.

Jumpstart Competition Organiser Stephanie Percy says seeing the level of talent exhibited by all of the competitors absolutely reinforced their decision to expand the competition and split it into two age groups this year.

“I’m absolutely thrilled with the amazing young talent we have in New Zealand. It’s so inspiring to see the dedication and talent shown by these young musicians.

“The aim of the Jumpstart Competition is to reward these musicians and vocalists with some exposure and help ‘jump start’ their musical careers so I’m looking forward to seeing them shine in years to come.”

The judges of 18-25 year category were Caitlin Smith, a renowned Kiwi singer, composer and vocal coach, leading Dunedin jazz musician Calder Prescott, and ex-JazzFest Trust Chairman David Cole. They were extremely impressed with the standard and said that it was an honour and privilege to judge such a high level of talent.

The 2009 Jumpstart Competition was held in association with The Edge FM and Creative Queenstown.

This year’s ASB Queenstown JazzFest ran from 17 to 26 October. It brought music to the masses in a 10-day live music celebration which showcased a breadth of jazz styles from New Zealand and around the world.

 The 9 finalists of the AJ Hackett Bungy Youth Competition were:

Solo Vocal: Jessica van der Kaag, age 17 from Queenstown

Max Gunn, age 16 from Queenstown

Miki Brown, age 16 from Queenstown

Solo Instrumental: Harim Oh – Clarinet, age 13 from Alexandra

Umar Zakaria – Double Bass, age 16 from Christchurch

Young Chan Kang – Guitar, age 17 from Christchurch

Band: Best Served Chilled, Queenstown

Hoodoo Voodoo, Dunedin

Umar Zakaria Trio, Christchurch

The 14 finalists of the NZONE Emerging Talent Competition were:

Solo Vocal: Amy Jansen, age 21 from Christchurch

Chloe Hishon, age 18 from Alexandra

David Bell, age 19 from Queenstown

Sade Sanders, age 19 from Christchurch

Saelyn Guyton, age 24 from Invercargill

Thomas Brinsley, age 21 from Wellington

Solo instrumental: Andie Gibbs – drums, age 20 from Christchurch

Blair Clarke – saxophone, age 23 from Wellington

Burke Goffe - guitar, age 21 from Christchurch

David Bell – piano, age 19 from Queenstown

George Cook – saxophone, age 18 from Christchurch

Jeremy Hantler – drums, age 21 from Wellington

Sam Blakelock – guitar, age 19 from Christchurch

Thomas Brinsley – guitar, age 21 from Wellington