Italian jazz site launches intl. online competition

The Italian jazz website www.7VirtualJazzClub.net is holding it’s first international online competition for jazz musicians.  It’s open to professional and amateur groups, soloists and vocalists of all ages worldwide.  First prize is 4,000 euros and a web promotion package from 7VirtualJazzClub, which includes hosting up to a one-hour video. (Second prize is €2,000.  Third prize is €1,000.)

Entries must be in the form of original videos no longer than seven (7) minutes long.  Performances must be recorded live – no cuts or edits allowed.  (See the website for rules regarding backing tracks.)  Videos entered must be making their first appearance on the Internet.  (No existing YouTube, Daily Motion or Vimeo, etc. will be eligible.)  The entry must be submitted no later than 15 September, 2016.

The contest will be held in four rounds.  All entries enter the Pre-Selection round before an international panel of judges who will score the videos based on creativity, improvisational quality and (for groups) interplay between the musicians. The top 70 videos move on to the Second Round in October 2016, which consists of 7 “rooms” of 10 videos each for public voting and judge’s scoring.

The third Semi-Final Round in November will have just three videos in each “room” for public voting.  The Finals are Dec. 1 through Dec. 8.

The contest is being held under Italian jurisdiction.  Rules, a list of judges, and forms here.