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Wangaratta Update: The National Jazz Awards


I am excited to let you know about the finalists for the National Jazz Awards. This year’s instrument is saxophone, and we had thirty six entrants. Two of our finalists are flying from the USA to participate, which shows how important the Award is to the Jazz industry. This will be a world class show. I’m looking forward to having your company to see the final round with judges Angela Davis, John Mackey and Julien Wilson.


The final will be held at the Wangaratta Performing Arts Centre, 12.00pm-4.30pm. To book your ticket right now please click here now.

Introducing the Finalists

  • Stephen Byth is a saxophonist and composer born in Melbourne, Victoria. After becoming an active member of the Melbourne jazz and improvised music community, Stephen relocated to the USA to further pursue his career in music, which has seen him perform and record throughout Australia, the USA, Europe and Japan with notable musicians including Joe Lovano, Paul Grabowsky, Kris Davis, Barney McAll, Danilo Perez, Walter Smith III and others. Stephen has released multiple albums as a leader and is currently working on recording his second full-length album in New York City.

  • Oscar Bruten is a Melbourne based saxophonist and composer. As a recipient of both the ABC Composer Commissioning fund and the 2023 James Morrison Scholarship, Oscar is showing himself as an exciting emerging musical voice in Australia.

  • Tessie Overmyer has established herself as one of the most exciting, dynamic saxophone players in the Australian jazz scene, rapidly gaining her recognition for a maturity that appears well beyond her years. Originally from Newcastle, NSW, Tessie completed her Bachelor of Music at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and has recently relocated to New York City to study a Master of Music at the Manhattan School of Music. Tessie's skill and musicianship have been recognised in the form of a nomination for the prestigious Freedman Jazz Fellowship, a commission from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, and in being selected as the Sydney Improvised Music Association's Sonic Futures artist for 2023.

  • Ben Lerner is a young artist who has quickly established himself as one of the emerging voices in Jazz and on the Alto Saxophone in Australia. Since moving to Sydney from Auckland, New Zealand in 2020, Ben has played with the likes of Mike Nock, Matt McMahon, Laurence Pike, Andrew Gander, Steve Barry, Jonathan Crayford, and many other greats. Ben has honed his craft under the tutelage of artists such as Roger Manins, Will Vinson, George Garzone, Immanuel Wilkins, Dr Jo Lawry, Dr Simon Barker, Mike Rivett, and many more. He graduated from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music at the end of 2023 and is set to commence studying a Masters degree at the prestigious Manhattan School of Music on a scholarship in September 2025.

  • Jayden Blockley is regarded as one of Australia’s upcoming jazz talents. Tony Gould AM described him as “one of the most beautiful young musicians I have come across in years. A wonderfully gifted jazz saxophonist, he deserves every success, here and overseas. I have no doubt that, given the opportunities, he will gain a high reputation in his art.” Originally from Perth, Jayden completed his undergraduate studies at the renowned James Morrison Academy in Mount Gambier. He studied under the guidance of some of the most in demand Australian jazz musicians including names such as: Mat Jodrell, Carl Mackey, Angela Davis, Grant Windsor, and James Morrison himself. Upon graduating, he was awarded the medal of Academic Excellence amongst his competitive cohort.

  • Michael Avgenicos is an Australian saxophonist, composer and educator, performing and recording on saxophones, clarinet and flute. Hailing from Eora (Sydney), Michael has been playing saxophone since he was 8 years old. Across a wide range of contexts, his instrument serves as an extension of his inner self, producing a deep, emotive and fluid style. Michael draws inspiration from the endless possibilities of air as an artistic medium, of breath as an expression of the human spirit. Michael's current projects include Hamed Sadeghi's ARIA nominated groups Eishan Ensemble and Empty Voices, Matt Thomson/Alex Hirlian's Tourismo, Paul Derricott's COAST, Max Alduca's Second Sight, Avgenicos Brothers' Reduction, and his new jazz quartet, Eudaemons.

Looking forward to seeing you at the National Jazz Awards!


Warm regards,


Andrew Nunn

Chair, Wangaratta Festival of Jazz and Blues


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