Yamaha Artist Emmet Cohen Takes Home Top Prize at 2019 American Pianists Awards
INDIANAPOLIS (PRWEB) April 12, 2019 -- Yamaha Artist Emmet Cohen has won the grand prize at the 2019 American Pianists Awards, one of the most prestigious jazz competitions in the world. As the winner, Cohen will receive the Cole Porter Jazz Fellowship, an estimated value of more than $100,000. This includes a cash award, a contract with Mack Avenue Records, and two years of career services and support.
The competition, run by the American Pianists Association (APA), concluded on April 6 at the Hilbert Circle Theatre in Indianapolis and was the culmination of a months-long process in which five finalists complete a residency at an Indianapolis high school orchestra or jazz band. During visits to the schools, the finalists' performed sets at The Jazz Kitchen which were judged and counted toward their overall score. Additional concerts at The Jazz Kitchen and Hilbert Circle Theatre on Friday and Saturday formed the rest of the scores.
“I have known Emmet for nearly 10 years and enjoyed seeing him develop as an artist,” said Dr. Joel Harrison, president/CEO and artistic director of the APA. “He is a brilliant pianist and I look forward to working with him over the next two years.”
A recognized prodigy, Cohen began piano instruction at age three, and his playing quickly became a mature melding of musicality, technique, and concept. Possessing a fluid technique, an innovative tonal palette, and an expansive repertoire, Cohen plays with the command of a seasoned veteran and the passion of an artist fully devoted to his medium. A Yamaha Artist since 2017, Cohen plays exclusively on Yamaha pianos and has appeared in world-renowned jazz events including the Monterey, Newport, North Sea, Bern, and Edinburgh jazz festivals and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.
“Emmet Cohen is a consummate jazz artist. His compelling recordings and performances reveal a harmonic sophistication, musical sensitivity and rich tonal palette unusual for a pianist his age. Equally impressive is his commitment to music education, mentoring young musicians and preserving the legacy of living jazz masters through his own creatively inspired recordings made right here at Yamaha Artist Services,” said Bonnie Barrett, director, Yamaha Artist Services New York. “We are delighted by this recognition of Emmet’s unique talents by APA and look forward to our continued partnership with him on his amazing musical journey.”
“From the age of three, I’ve played Yamaha pianos for hours each day. Their instruments are so familiar and easy to play, and I always feel confident that my technique and musical ideas are fully supported behind their mechanics,” said Cohen. “In addition, I’m grateful that Yamaha Artist Services fully trusts and stands behind my artistic endeavors.”
The American Pianists Awards are held every two years to discover the best aspiring young American jazz or classical pianists. The unique and innovative competitions span 13 months and provide a platform to deeply engage musical artists in a variety of creative formats and settings.
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About the American Pianists Association
The mission of the American Pianists Association is to discover, promote and advance the careers of young, American, world-class jazz and classical pianists. We celebrate the beauty of music through America's premier jazz and classical awards. The American Pianists Association nurtures the artistic growth of America's top young pianists by focusing on creative expression and career development. Our largest and most prestigious support is given through a biennial competition known as the American Pianists Awards. Since our founding in 1979, the American Pianists Association has supported 46 winners.
About Yamaha
Yamaha Corporation of America (YCA) is one of the largest subsidiaries of Yamaha Corporation, Japan and offers a full line of award-winning musical instruments, sound reinforcement, commercial installation and home entertainment products to the U.S. market. Products include: Yamaha acoustic, digital and hybrid pianos, portable keyboards, guitars, acoustic and electronic drums, band and orchestral instruments, marching percussion products, synthesizers, professional digital and analog audio equipment, Steinberg recording products and NEXO commercial audio products, as well as AV receivers, amplifiers, MusicCast wireless multi-room audio systems, Blu-ray/CD players, earphones, headphones, home-theater-in-a-box systems, sound bars and its exclusive line of Digital Sound Projectors. YCA markets innovative, finely crafted technology and entertainment products and musical instruments targeted to the hobbyist, education, worship, music, professional audio installation and consumer markets.
Peter Giles, Giles Communications, http://www.giles.com, 914-644-3500 x 700, [email protected]
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