Monk Competition Broadens Age Range

For the first time, all age restrictions have been dropped for the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competitions.

In previous years, the competitions--which were established by the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz in 1987 and which have been won by such now-noted players as Joshua Redman and Marcus Roberts--were for players 35 and under. This year the competition, which will be held Nov. 19-20 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, is open to both electric guitarists and bassists of any age, as long as they have neither recorded as a leader of a band nor signed a contract with a major label.

“The competition has become so important because musicians see it as a steppingstone to a career in jazz,” says Shelby Fisher, associate director of the institute. “And as the winner receives considerable recognition from record companies and the media, we no longer wanted to exclude any segment of jazz hopefuls.”

The competitions, which are sponsored by Nissan Motor Corp., U.S.A., offer a $10,000 prize for first place, $5,000 for second and $3,000 for third. To enter, musicians must send a tape of performances of specified tunes, which are reviewed by a panel of judges. A selected group of semifinalists is invited to Washington to perform, and, from their numbers, the finalists are chosen.

The Monk Institute and Broadcast Music Inc. also hold an International Jazz Composers Competition, open to composers, who like the instrumentalists, have not had their work recorded on a major label or by a major jazz artist. This year, the composition must be written to feature either guitar or bass and may be for up to five instruments, although solo guitar or bass pieces will be accepted. There is one grand prize of $10,000.

For information and an application, call the Monk Institute at (202) 364-7272. Deadlines for applications are Aug. 21 for compositions and Aug. 28 for instrumentalists.

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Surfing the Jazzwaves: KPCC-FM (89.3) doesn’t offer large blocks of jazz like KLON-FM (88.1), but it does bring in some splendid National Public Radio programming. On Mondays, from 11 p.m. to midnight, you can hear “Jazz From Lincoln Center: The Sound of the Century,” a series of concerts taped in New York’s Avery Fisher Hall. The program is curated by Wynton Marsalis and hosted by CBS News correspondent Ed Bradley. This Monday: “Cornet Kings Before Armstrong,” celebrating the styles of past masters Freddie Keppard, King Oliver and Buddy Bolden as played by current trumpeters Wendell Brunious, Willie Singleton and Marsalis. On May 8, hear two tenormen from Chicago: Johnny Griffin and Von Freeman.

Branford Marsalis is another NPR host, presenting “JazzSet,” a series of live recordings from various venues, heard Tuesdays on KPCC from 10 to 11 p.m. Call KPCC, (818) 585-7000, for information on Tuesday’s show.

“JazzSet” is followed by Marian McPartland’s award-winning “Piano Jazz,” where the British-born pianist brings another artist or singer into the studio for performance and talk. The show, which airs 11 p.m. to midnight, with a replay on Fridays at 2 p.m., features Dr. John on Tuesday and Helen Merrill on May 9.

On KPFK-FM (90.7), Jay Green, the owner of Poo-Bah’s record shop in Pasadena, hosts “Straight, No Chaser,” which airs on Mondays from 8 to 10 p.m. This Monday, Green begins a four-week series devoted to alto great Jackie McLean that includes generous segments of interviews and music.

KLON has some sad news to report: Bob Epstein, who for many years hosted a traditional jazz show on Sunday mornings from 7 to 11, died of heart failure on April 8. He was 59. Scott Willis, who is currently handling Epstein’s Sunday- morning slot, is offering a program of mainstream jazz. Station spokesperson Vicki Pearlson said that as soon as a suitable replacement for Epstein can be found, the classic jazz format will be reinstituted. By the way, KLON has been chosen to broadcast this year’s Playboy Jazz Festival, coming up June 17-18.

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Jazzy Brew: The Blue Note Blend is not only the name of Starbucks Coffee’s newest mixture, it’s the title of a CD that the retail chain has produced in conjunction with--yep!--Blue Note Records. The 13-track disc includes several classic tracks--John Coltrane’s “Blue Train” and Horace Silver’s “Song for My Father”--and some that are good but not timeless, Basie’s “Lullaby of Birdland,” for one. The disc is also oddly paced, with light and fluffy numbers juxtaposed with much harder-hitting items.

On a scale of one to four stars, four being excellent: 2 1/2 stars for the music, two stars for the presentation. Still, the album is a good introduction to jazz and the price is right: $9.95, at your nearest Starbucks.

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Around Town: Such jazz aces as saxophonist Teddy Edwards, drummer Tootie Heath, trombonist Buster Cooper and guitarist Phil Upchurch headline a “Legends of Jazz” concert Sunday at 3:30 p.m., at the Garrison Theater, 231 E. 10th St., Claremont. Information: (213) 729-6000.

Popular contemporary players Richard Elliott, Warren Hill, Craig Chaquico and Peter White make up the “Guitar & Saxes” show, Saturday at 8:30 p.m., at the Pantages Theater in Hollywood, (213) 480-3232.

Cecilia Coleman leads her fine quintet tonight and Saturday at the Atlas Bar & Grill, (213) 380-8400.