PARMIGIANI MONTREUX JAZZ SOLO PIANO COMPETITION

Since 1967, the worlds greatest jazz pianists have graced the stages of the Montreux Jazz Festival. Their biographies tell tumultuous tales of hard work and artistic endeavor, but also of solidarity with fellow musicians and magical opportunities. In 1999, the desire to provide one such opportunity led Claude Nobs, founder and director of the Festival, to create the worlds first international Solo Piano Competition for professional jazz pianists. His aim was not only to lend a helping hand to young musicians struggling for recognition, but also to enable them to meet pianists of the same age and level from other countries. The Solo Piano Competition is open to musicians under the age of 30. The organizers receive entries from over fourty different countries. In the spring, around ten to fifteen pianists are selected to take part in the semifinals and final at the Montreux Jazz Festival, in front of a jury of professionals and a discerning international audience. Musicians, record company representatives and producers seeking new talent take their seats among the general public. During the Festival, the competing pianists are encouraged to exchange their experiences and forge friendships and are given plenty of opportunities to attend concerts and workshops together in Montreux. Only four prizes are awarded each year. But the organizers believe that all the participants leave Montreux with the conviction that they have taken their career one step further through this culturally enriching musical experience.

STAGES OF THE COMPETITION

Applications To be returned by March 1st 2014 (postmark date) with the requested items. First Selection Jury members will examine entries that include a CD with the Artists performance (a total of 10 minutes max.). Both candidates selected for the semifinals and non selected- will be notified approximately by May 1st 2014 by email . The selected Artists will be invited to perform in Montreux in July 2014 (the exact dates of the competition, as well as the names of the jury members, are still to be determined). The Artists have to confirm their participation in writing to the Montreux Jazz Festival. Semi-finals (maximum 15 competitors) The candidates qualified for the semi-finals will be invited to perform in Montreux in July 2014 (dates of competition are yet to be determined). The candidates will have to perform the requested pieces (length of the performance 10 min. maximum) in front of a jury. The non respect of the timing will be penalized by the jury. Final (maximum 4 competitors) The final will be held shortly after the semi-finals. The participating pianists will have to perform in front of the jury. The length of the performace will be determined after the jurys selection at the semi-finals depending on the candidates at the final (15 minutes max.) The non respect of the timing will be penalized by the jury. The final will take place at the Montreux Palace-Petit Thtre Awards Ceremony The awards ceremony will take place straight after the final at Petit Thtre- Montreux Palace.

Name (artist): Signature: 1/6

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PRIZES
The first prize winner of the Parmigiani Montreux Jazz Solo Piano Competition receives CHF 10000. Swiss francs, a limited edition Parmigiani Swiss Watch manufactured in Fleurier valued at CHF 14500.-, a certificate and a recording session at the Balik Farm Studio, located in the breathtaking scenery of Switzerlands Toggenburg region (The Balik Studio prize consists in 4 complete days in a professional studio recording, accommodation and a professional sound engineer for the recording of the cd. The Balik Studio prize is non-transferable and is not redeemable for cash or credit, in whole or in part) The second prize winner receives CHF 5000. Swiss francs and a certificate. The third prize winner receives CHF3000. Swiss francs and a certificate. The Parmigiani Montreux Jazz Solo Piano Competition attracts an audience of connoisseurs who award their own prize. The winner of the Public Prize receives a multi CD boxed set of the works of a famous pianist and a certificate.

PIANO COMPETITION WINNERS

2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 Jerry Lonide (Mauritius) Marialy Pacheco (Cuba) www.marialypacheco.com Piotr Orzechowski (Poland) www.piotrorzechowski.pl Nikolay Sidorenko (Russia) Isfar Sarabski (Ex quo) (Azerbaijan) | Beka Gochiashvili (Ex aequo) (Georgia) Gal Rakotondrabe (France) www.myspace.com/gaelrakotondrabe Rolando Luna Carrillo (Cuba) www.mp3.com/artist/rolando-luna-carrillo Dan Tepfer (USA / France) www.dantepfer.com Harold Lopez-Nussa Torres (Cuba) www.myspace.com/haroldlopeznussa Robert Botos (Hungary) www.myspace.com/robibotosmusic Tigran Hamasayan (Armenia) www.tigranhamasyan.com Marius Vernescu (Romania) www.softrecords.ro Robert Lakatos (Hungary) www.myspace.com/robertlakatos Daniel Szabo (Hungary) www.szabodaniel.com Leo Tardin (Switzerland) www.leotardin.com

CONDITIONS OF ENTRY
The Parmigiani Montreux Jazz Solo Piano Competition is open to pianists of all nationalities born after January 1st, 1984. Previous first prize winners of the competition are not eligible to compete. Finalists and semifinalists of Montreuxs previous competitions may not compete more than three times. The demo, semifinal and final have to be played solo piano exclusively. The piano performance during the competition has to be played as it is, it cannot be prepared (no paper or plastics on the strings or similar). The following criteria are among those that will be taken into consideration: originality, imagination, style, musicality (harmony, rhythm), dynamic (color, nuances), touch, mastering of the instrument and technique.

JUry
The competition is placed under the patronage of Quincy Jones, extraordinary ambassador to the Montreux Jazz Festival, with the collaboration of pianists and musicians from the international jazz scene. The jury has been presided by: 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 Name (artist): Signature: 2/6 Iiro Rantala Leszek Mozdzer Tommy LiPuma Yaron Herman Chucho Valds 2007 & 2008 2005 & 2006 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 Fazil Say Joe Sample Michel Camilo James Williams Joe Sample Randy Weston John Lewis George Duke

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TraVeL and accommodation

Travel and accommodation expenses are to be covered entirely by the candidates. However, the Montreux Jazz Festival office can help by providing addresses of hotels and youth hostels in the area and by sending semifinalists an invitation that can be used to seek funding from cultural institutions in their native countries.

Pianos
Artists are guaranteed regular access to a piano for practice during the competition period at the Montreux Conservatory. The Montreux Conservatory for rehearsals will be open from 10am till 7pm (aprox.)

LegaL notice
The jurys assessment will take place in private in accordance with the assessment criteria presented (see above). The Artist accepts that the jurys decisions are final and that no appeal is possible. The Foundation will not be held responsible if, in case of necessity, the present competition is modified, postponed or cancelled. Any dispute relating to the interpretation, execution or non-execution of the present regulations will be subject to the Swiss Law.

Recordings
The Fondation du Festival de Jazz de Montreux or its successor has the right to record the sound (the Audio Recording) and visuals (the Video Recording) of all Artists performances during the competition and any other venues concerning the Montreux Jazz Festival now and in the future and to exploit the same, without payment of any compensation to Artist, for all forms of worldwide television and radio (including for news and information purposes), Internet streaming (including free on-demand streaming) and on any kind of commercial audio device or commercial audiovisual device (including download) now known or hereafter developed. The Fondation du Festival de Jazz de Montreux or its successor has the right to use Artists name and likeness, as well as the right to use of Audio Recording and the Video Recording for the promotion of the Montreux Jazz Festival. If the Artist grants an interview recorded or filmed by or on behalf of the Montreux Jazz Festival, such interview may be utilized in connection with the rights granted above.

For any QUestions, information and contact at the MontreUX Jazz FestiVaL
Victoria Leon v.leon@mjf.ch

ADDRESS TO SEND THE APPLICATION

Montreux Jazz Festival 2m2c Montreux Competitions-Piano Av. Claude Nobs 5 1820 Montreux Switzerland

Name (artist): Signature: 3/6

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To be returned by March 1st 2014 (postmark date)

With the requested items. The competition is open to pianists of all nationalities born after January 1st, 1984 (under the age of 30). Items to be sent with the entry 1. a demo CD in mp3 format: the recording must include three pieces of music. The total length of the recording should not exceed 10 minutes and must include: -one original piece composed or played by Miles Davis. You have to choose between one of this 10 pieces: VERY EARLY - Bill Evans HEYOKE - Kenny Wheeler SNO PEAS - Phil Markowitz LRO - Egberto Gismonti S DANCO SAMBA - Tom Jobim DONT FORGET THE POET- Enrico Pieranunzi LADIES IN MERCEDES - Steve Swallow CONFIRMATION - Charlie Parker THE SONG IS YOU - Jrome Kern CARAVAN - Duke Ellington Artists should perform their own interpretation of the original piece, improving and developing it. - a personal composition - a personal choice (note that this one can be inspired by any music styles) 2. Two ID or professional photos (max size 11*15cm) with the name of the entrant written on the back. 3. A photocopy of the entrants Identity Card, Passport or Driver License (the birth date has to appear on the copy) 4. A curriculum vit. 5. Other relevant documents (diplomas, press) if any.

If you are selected for the semifinals, you will be asked to play:

- one of the eight original pieces excluding the one played for the demo CD (Artists should perform their own interpretation of the original piece, improving and developing it). - a personal composition or a personal choice (note that this one can be inspired by any music styles)

If you are selected for the final, you will be asked to play:
- one of the eight original pieces excluding the one played for the demo CD and excluding the one you played for the semifinals (Artists should perform their own interpretation of the original piece, improving and developing it). - a personal composition or a personal choice (note that this one can be inspired by any music styles) - a 12 bar Blues

ADDRESS TO SEND THE APPLICATION

Montreux Jazz Festival 2m2c Montreux Competitions-Piano Av. Claude Nobs 5 / 1820 Montreux / Switzerland

Name (artist): Signature: 4/6

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By signing this Parmigiani Montreux Jazz Solo Piano Competition 2014 entry form, the Artist confirms to have read, understood and accepted the rules and regulations of the Competition and to comply with them. By signing this Parmigiani Montreux Jazz Solo Piano Competition 2014 entry form, the Artist confirms the accuracy of the documents and information sent. Please, complete this document in CAPITAL LETTERS.

Surname/Family Name

First Name

__________________________________________ __________________________________________ Street/Number ________________________________________________________________________________________ ZIP/Town Country

__________________________________________ __________________________________________ E-mail _______________________________________________________________________________________ Telephone Mobile Phone

__________________________________________ __________________________________________ Nationality Date of birth (day/month/year)

__________________________________________ __________________________________________ How have you heard about that competition? (Name of school, club, etc) _______________________________________________________________________________________ The organisers reserve the right to refuse incomplete applications. PLEASE SIGN ALL THE PAGES OF THIS FORM (from 1 to 5). NO APPLICATIONS WILL BE SENT BACK. NO ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED BY EMAIL. NO FEE IS ASKED TO ENTER THE SELECTIONS OR THE COMPETITION. THE JURY WILL NOT GIVE ANY FEEDBACK ABOUT THE DECISIONS.

Date:___________________________________

Read and agreed:___________________________

Name (artist): Signature: 5/6

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PARENTAL AUTHORIZATION To fill in ONLY if under 18 years old

I certify, as a parent or guardian, I give permission for: (Childs name): _____________________________________________________________________ to participate in the Parmigiani Montreux Jazz Solo Piano Competition according to the terms signed in the application form/subscription to the competition, on July 2014.

Relation to participant: ______________________________________________________________ Parent/Guardian name: ______________________________________________________________ Address: __________________________________________________________________________

Home Phone: ______________________________________________________________________ Please enclose a copy of the Parent/Guardian identity card or passport.

Place and date: ____________________________________________________________________ Parent/Guardian signature: ___________________________________________________________

Name (artist): Signature: 6/6