Our goal will be to solicit as many contestants as possible, adjudicate their audio submissions, select five finalists, and narrow that field to five finalists with only one first-place winner. Contestants will record in the key and interpretation of their choice.  Typical instrumentation is a backup rhythm section. The timeline  is as follows:

 

1. November 1, 2025: Opening Announcement

2. Audio Submissions: Between November 1st through January 31, 2026

3. Adjudication Review begins February 1st

4. Finalists Announced: Mid March 2026

5. Finalists Video Submissions Due: March 27, 2026
    

The five finalists will then be invited to submit video presentations with that cost underwritten by the Blues Alley Jazz Society or equivalent to Five hundred dollars ($500.00) per contestant submission. The five finalists will then be announced on Saturday, April 25th with our first prize winner performing alongside our featured artist, educator, and adjudicator on our world-renowned Blues Alley stage. Finalists will receive honorariums as follows:

 

• 1st Place Winner = $2,500.00

• 2nd Place Winner = $1,000.00

• 3rd Place Winners = $500.00

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