Arizona’s Battle of the Jazz Bands

Arizona Battle of the Jazz Bands Launches Statewide Competition for High School & College Students

Winners Earn Opportunity to Perform at the Scottsdale Jazz Festival

Scottsdale, AZ — The International Jazz Day AZ Foundation, in partnership with Yrēfy Scottsdale Jazz Festival LLC, proudly announces the launch of the 1st Annual Arizona Battle of the Jazz Bands, a statewide jazz competition designed to spotlight Arizona’s most talented high school and college student musicians—and provide a direct pathway to the professional stage.

Created to elevate music education and celebrate jazz as America’s original art form, the Arizona Battle of the Jazz Bands offers young performers a rare opportunity to gain recognition, experience, and exposure at one of the Southwest’s premier cultural events: the Scottsdale Jazz Festival.

“This competition is about more than winning,” said William “Doc” Jones, Founder and Executive Director of the International Jazz Day AZ Foundation. “It’s about creating access, opening doors, and giving young musicians a real opportunity to be seen, heard, and celebrated on a major stage.”

A Competition Built for Opportunity and Access

The Arizona Battle of the Jazz Bands removes many of the traditional barriers that prevent student musicians from participating in high-level competitions. There is no entry fee, no required travel for preliminary or final rounds, and submissions are completed entirely online.

Students and ensembles will submit video performances for a pre-screening review by a panel of jazz professionals. Selected finalists will advance to the final round, with top performers earning the opportunity to perform live at the Scottsdale Jazz Festival, alongside established jazz artists and before a statewide audience.

Who Can Participate

The competition is open to high school and college students across Arizona, including:

Vocalists
Instrumentalists
Small Ensembles
Big Bands

Participation is available on a first-come, first-served basis, based on submission availability.

Key Participation Details

FREE video submission
No travel required for pre-screening or final round
Open to high school and college jazz programs
Registration deadline: January 31
Winners perform at the Scottsdale Jazz Festival

Strengthening Music Education Through Jazz

The Arizona Battle of the Jazz Bands is part of the International Jazz Day AZ Foundation’s broader mission to support music education, uplift young artists, and unite communities through jazz. At a time when many schools face reduced arts funding and program closures, the Foundation continues to advocate for equitable access to music education and performance opportunities.

“This initiative reflects our belief that jazz education builds confidence, discipline, creativity, and leadership,” Jones added. “We want students to understand that their talent matters—and that Arizona values its young artists.”

About the International Jazz Day AZ Foundation

The International Jazz Day AZ Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to uniting the State of Arizona through jazz, education, and cultural excellence. The Foundation produces statewide festivals, youth education programs, and cultural initiatives aligned with UNESCO and Herbie Hancock’s International Jazz Day, celebrated in more than 190 countries worldwide.

Registration information, submission guidelines, and competition updates will be available at:

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For media inquiries, school outreach, or partnership opportunities, please contact:
International Jazz Day AZ Foundation
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If you’d like next, I can:

Create a shorter media-only press version
Write a student-focused social media announcement
Draft a Band Director / College Faculty outreach email
Prepare a FAQ page for students and schools

This is a strong, statewide announcement — ready to circulate.