Competitions
J.J. Johnson Jazz Trombone Competition
sponsored by Rath Trombones
For trombonists ages 25 and under (birth date of January 1, 1999 or later)
First Prize – Rath Straight Tenor Trombone
Nick Finzer , New York City based jazz trombonist and composer, invites trombonists to join this competition:
Competition Rules
- Live collaboration with rhythm section is required
- Required repertoire should be uploaded as three separate video files. The video must be shot from a single, uninterrupted camera angle. Accepted file formats include: MP4, MPEG, MPG, MOV, AVI, WMV, M4V, FLV, WEBM, M2V
- No written signs, name tags or other written material is to be visible in the video.
- All performers should be continuously visible in the submitted video, with the trombonist as the focal point.
- Individual microphone placements for the trombonist and each rhythm section member are allowed.
- No edits of either the audio or video may be made within each track.
- The submitted files must not contain any identifying information. The video file should be named: “JohnsonTrack1.mp4”, “JohnsonTrack2.mp4”, and “JohnsonTrack3.mp4” (.mov, etc.)
- An audible count-off is allowed for this competition, but any other spoken dialogue will violate the spoken dialogue rule and are grounds for disqualification. Caution members of the ensemble to avoid talking until the take has been completed. A good rule of thumb would be to hold silence for 5 seconds after any take, allowing for a clean submission.
- Recordings must be made with a live rhythm section (minimum 2 members) in the key of the entrant’s choice. (see exception above)
- Choruses must be improvised and not read.
- Entrants must perform exclusively on the slide trombone (e.g. no valve trombone, bass trumpet, etc.)
- It is the performer’s choice to play one or two choruses of the melody on each selection. The maximum number of choruses, including the melody, must not be exceeded.
- Applicants are discouraged from including rhythm section solos on preliminary round recordings; any such solos will count against the maximum number of choruses allowed.
- Recordings taken from a Jazz band performance are not allowed.
- Past winners of the JJ Johnson Jazz Trombone Competition are not eligible in the 2025 JJ Johnson competition.
Repertoire Requirements
Preliminary and Final Round Repertoire:
- Six to eight (6-8) choruses of a Blues (including the melody) OR Four to Five (4-5) choruses of a “rhythm changes” tune (examples: “I’ve Got Rhythm,” “Oleo,”or “Anthropology”)
- Four to six (4–6) choruses of any composition (except a blues) composed by J.J. Johnson (including the melody).
- Original Composition by the performer
*It is the performer’s choice to play one or two choruses of the melody on each selection. For the preliminary round, the maximum number of choruses, including the melody, must not be exceeded.
**Finalists will be required to present their final round program within a time limit and may deviate from the prescribed number of choruses required in the preliminary round recording.
Submission Instructions
Completed applications must be submitted prior to the deadline and meet ITA membership and other requirements outlined on this page. Application fees (see below) will be charged at the time of application (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, JCB, Discover, and Diners Club are accepted.)
Past Winners
Year
Winner
School
-
2005
Roland Barber
Manhattan School of Music
-
2006
Michael Dease
Juilliard School of Music
-
2007
Kevin Cerovich
University of Missouri-Kansas City
-
2008
Joe McDonough
Temple University
-
2009
Robbie Harvey
Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London
-
2010
Nate Kimball
University of Nevada-Las Vegas graduate
-
2011
Adam Machaskee
Rutgers University
-
2012
Robinson Khoury
CNSMD Lyon, France
-
2013
Javier Nero
University of Miami
-
2014
Ido Meshulam
Berklee College of Music (alumnus)
-
2015
Stepan Janousek
Czech Republic (no school listed)
-
2016
Janning Trumann
New York University
-
2017
Brendan Lanighan
Eastman School of Music
-
2018
Drew Kilpela
Michigan State University
-
2019
Ethan Cypress
Eastman School of Music
-
2020
Joe Giordano (Co-Winner)
Manhattan School of Music
-
2020
Dave Mosko (Co-Winner)
Rutgers University
-
2020
DJ Rice (Co-Winner)
Michigan State University
-
2021
Jack Courtright
University of North Texas
-
2022
Spencer Merk
no school affiliation
-
2023
Maarten Combrink
Conservatorium van Amsterdam
-
2024
Jackson Churchill
no school affiliation