"Fourteen semi finalists have been selected for the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition, to be held on Sept. 15 and 16 in Washington. The instrument in focus this year is the saxophone, and as usual the winner will receive a $25,000 music scholarship, a recording contract with the Concord Music Group and one of the most prestigious honors available to an emerging jazz musician."
"The high level of talent was what led to a semifinal pool of 14 rather than the usual 12, according to a competition spokesperson... they are... Dean Tsur, of Timrat, Israel"
"Each semifinalist will perform a 15-minute set with a rhythm section, before a judges’ panel composed of illustrious saxophonists: Jimmy Heath, Wayne Shorter, Bobby Watson, Jane Ira Bloom and Branford Marsalis."
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