Last year, the Canal Festival organised its own jazz competition for the first time. Last Sunday, March 20, 2022, was the final of the second edition. A summary of this beautiful afternoon can now be seen on our Youtube channel.
At the national preliminary round on January 30, 2022, at the Blue Note Hall of the Conservatory of Amsterdam, six finalists were selected. At the finals, these six ensembles from various music conservatories in the Netherlands competed against each other to win the jury award and the Denise Jannah Award.
The professional jury included Frank van Berkel (chairman and head programmer Bimhuis), Vincent Henar (Bassist and founder FraFraSound), Benjamin Herman (Saxophonist), Denise Jannah (Singer), and Co de Kloet (Music Director) whom were all very impressed with the Martí Mitjavila Trio and thus won the Jury Award.
Jury chairman Frank van Berkel: "The Martí Mitjavila Trio stood out with their subtle, lyrical, and coherent sound. In doing so, the piece he dedicated to his mother was wonderfully beautiful and touched the entire jury."
Frank van Berkel with the winners of the Jury award: Het Martí Mitjavila Trio © Grachtenfestival
The Denise Jannah award went to NAUSYQA. Denise Jannah: "The participating musicians were again wonderful this year! Their enjoyment of playing and musical energy were noticeable. They can be proud of what they showed, and I would like to perform with three bands! At NAUSYQA I felt like Denise in Wonderland as I enjoyed the beautiful soundscapes and landscapes they created on stage."
Denise Jannah with the winners of the Denise Jannah Award: NAUSYQA © Grachtenfestival
Furthermore, both the Rik van der Made Quartet and The Fried Seven stood out for their professional and good presentation. Therefore they both deserve an honorable mention.
They will all perform during the anniversary edition of the Canal Festival.
A summary of this beautiful afternoon can now be viewed on our Youtube channel.
