Indonesian pianist wins Horace Silver Jazz Piano Competition

[Lois Gilbert]

Nial Djuliarso, originating from Indonesia -- a senior “jazz piano performance major” at the Berklee College of Music, in Boston -- came to Los Angeles as one of four finalists to take part in the “Jazz Piano Competition” prearranged by the Horace Silver Foundation, last Sunday on November 16, 2003 at USC’s Newman Recital Hall in Los Angeles. He flew back to Boston on Monday carrying with him the prize money of US$10,000 which was being awarded by the Foundation to the first winner of the competition.

The four other 4 contestants were as follows:
+ Mahesh D Balasooriya from Los Angeles, whose parents came from Bangladesh, was the opening player. He is a freshman at the University of Southern California majoring in Jazz Studies. Mahesh is considering in future continuing his professional career education at Juilliard. He is an NFAA 2003 award winner.

+ Nial was the 2nd player; he began the set with “Airegin”, which was played in a straight-ahead upswing tempo. Tea for Two followed and this was played beautifully as a ballad. An original piece called “Horace” was his last and 3rd song. Nial wrote this song about a year ago. This piece is especially dedicated to and played as a tribute to Horace Silver, whose personality is an inspiration to him. This gospel influenced music has a catchy tune and was brought impressively by the young pianist. The audience was satisfied and it was obvious that they enjoyed his playing.

+ Max Haymer from Los Angeles came afterwards. He is a first year jazz piano student at the University of California at Irvine (UCI), and is studying under Kei Akagi (piano). Max is a pretty active player and performs regularly with his own band.

+ The 4th and last pianist was Hal Weary. Hal is a senior at the “William Patterson University” at Wayne, New Jersey. He was chosen as one of the semi-finalists of the 2002 Montreux Jazz Piano Competition, Switzerland.

The judges were Gerald Wilson, Gerald Wiggins and Horace Silver:
“Gerald Wilson” came to Los Angeles in 1942. Gerald became (in 50 years) one of the principal composers and arrangers in jazz. Wilson started to play with the Jimmie Lunceford’s swing orchestra in 1939 (contributing the now-standard tune “Yarddog Mazurka”). He wrote numerous arrangements and originals for Ellington, Count Basie, Dizzie Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles, Benny Carter, Lionel Hampton, Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington, Nancy Wilson, Sarah Vaughn and many, many others.

When one hears the legendary “Gerald Wiggins” plays the piano, then the history of jazz piano bursts forth with refurbished vibrancy. From his beginnings in Harlem, New York, he has been creating, shaping and changing music interpretations through the piano and organ. Gerald Wiggins also composes, arranges and directs his own orchestra.

The 3 judges have had quite a task in picking out the winner (and should this NOT be the best??) out of the 4 contestants. It was not easy, as the 4 contestants all have their individual strengths. They were all trained and educated in an environment conducive to jazz. In short they were all good. But finally -- they picked Nial as the winner. Djuliarso declared at the prize giving ceremony, that he felt pleased to be the winner, but – as indicated by Nial – the other 3 pianists had similar qualifications to become the winner, as according to him they were all quite impressive and, simply said – good. So the prize money should be equally divided amongst them. But the Foundation has decided that there should be only one winner. So be it. Anyway, it seems that the 100 or so audience at Newman Recital Hall was also in agreement. The hall was 30% taken.

[kurtdaniel]

ive heard some few stuff from this guy.. hes really good.. even my piano teachers is impressed with him..

[Mike Schwartz]

"The judges were Gerald Wilson, Gerald Wiggins and Horace Silver":

Horace Silver...is this true?

[Ron Thorne]

"The judges were Gerald Wilson, Gerald Wiggins and Horace Silver":

Horace Silver...is this true?

Sure, why not?