The BMI Jazz Composers Foundation's 28th Annual Summer Showcase Concert took place in New York City on June 13. The event showcased the best big band and jazz compositions created during the past year in the BMI Jazz Composers Workshop.
The event culminated with saxophonist, clarinetist and composer Dan Block winning the BMI Foundation's 17th annual Charlie Parker Jazz Composition Prize with his piece "Madrigal." The winner was selected by a judging panel that included Wynton Marsalis, Jimmy Heath and Alan Ferber.
The award, which honors the memory of jazz icon Charlie Parker, includes the $3,000 Manny Albam commission, named in honor of the workshop’s late founder and longtime musical director, to write a new work for premiere at next year’s showcase concert.
Last year’s prize winner, Miho Hazama, premiered her new work, “Infinite Factors,” during this year’s event, which was held at Christ and St. Stephen’s Church in NYC on June 22.
