Jazz Search West
The Bay Area’s Annual jazz talent search for adults and teens (15 and up).
ABOUT
JAZZ SEARCH WEST - CANCELLED 2023
Living Jazz’s annual talent search has brought students and jazz masters alike together to perform and collaboratively compete for some incredible prizes.
These events have supported the continued education of our emerging music artists and strengthened the bonds of the jazz community in the Bay Area.
After careful consideration, Living Jazz has decided to bypass this year’s Jazz Search West programming.
This tough decision came after considering the continued spread and unknowns of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as working with the competing needs for the organization’s focus in the coming year.
Multi-evening shows like Jazz Search West have become extremely expensive to produce in the Bay Area. Until there is a cost effective way to keep ticket and entry prices down, we will focus our efforts on other important initiatives.
Please reach out to us if you have any feedback or questions. We know that this series has been an important outlet and place of connection for new artists. Please consider joining us at Jazz Camp West 2023, in lieu of this cancellation.
11TH ANNUAL JAZZ SEARCH WEST
5 Weekly competitions held February – March
JAZZ SEARCH WEST is an Annual Jazz Talent Search for instrumentalists and vocalists (adults/teens). Five exciting preliminaries, open to the public, are held February through April and culminate in a Semi-Final at the Plymouth Jazz & Justice Church on April 6 and Grand Finale at renowned jazz club, Yoshi’s Oakland on April 28.
At each week’s preliminary, 16 contestants have the chance to perform with a professional rhythm section for a live audience, receiving valuable feedback from a panel of prestigious judges. All competitions are held in Bay Area jazz venues and are open to the public. 3 finalists will be chosen each week, with the help of the audience vote, to move on to the Semi-Final making a total of 15 Semi-Finalists.
Of these 15 Semi-Finalists, 8 will be chosen to move on to the Grand Finale at Yoshi’s Oakland. 4 top winners will be awarded prizes designed to enhance their musical career such as full tuition to Jazz Camp West, professionally produced demo CD, recording studio time at Live Oak Studios in Berkeley and a performance slot at Piedmont Piano Co. with marketing support.
Jazz Search West provides visibility, invaluable connections and exciting opportunities for pre-professional artists, while educating and exposing the public to the jazz genre and emerging talent.
Interested in competing or attending as an audience member?
Competition space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Enroll online early to guarantee your spot!
Visit our Enroll page or call 510.858.5313.
To attend, check our schedule page to purchase tickets.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
"A great competition! Some astounding and supportive judges, great venues, a wonderful turnout, and awesome exposure for emerging artists. You guys achieved what you set out to do!"
— Attendee
"I think that it is a wonderful opportunity to overcome stage fright, performance anxiety or general shyness. Exposure is key."
— Participant
PARTNERS
We would like to thank the following for their generous support of Jazz Search West:
The City of Oakland and the City of Oakland Cultural Funding Program
Alameda County Arts Commission
William and Flora Hewlett Foundation
Clorox Company Foundation
Living Jazz would also like to thank the following for their generous support of other Living Jazz programs.
Government Agencies
National Endowment for the Arts
California Arts Council
Foundations and Corporations
Zellerbach Family Foundation
San Francisco Foundation
Bill Graham Foundation
See's Candies
Sponsors
Jim Callahan and Piedmont Piano Company, in cooperation with the Yamaha Corporation
BART