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“Saxophone Idol” 2014 to start soon - Krzysztof Urbanski is winner 2013

In 2013 Saxophone Idol, an international competition open to all saxophone players aged 18-35, was launched by Buffet Group and Julius Keilwerth saxophones. It offered three finalists the opportunity to perform live at Chicago’s Jazz Showcase in December 2013 with one of them being selected as “Saxophone Idol”. Krzysztof Urbanski of Harrogate, United Kingdom, eventually was chosen by the panel of music industry judges to be the winner of the inaugural “Saxophone Idol” international contest. The entry information for the next edition of the “Saxophone Idol” competition will be published soon - as Keilwerth Saxophones announced in April 2014.
The 2013 finals were held at Chicago’s famous Jazz Showcase on Wednesday, December 18th and the three finalists performed live in front of a standing room only crowd and the panel of music industry judges, including legendary Keilwerth Saxophone Artist Ernie Watts. Joining Ernie on the judging panel were Michael Skinner, President of DANSR/Vandoren, Ed Enright, Contributing Editor of Downbeat magazine, and François Kloc, Vice President of Buffet Group USA.
The three finalists were selected from entries submitted from all over the world, representing 12 different countries. They were selected from six semi-finalists, whose video auditions were posted online for review and comments which were taken into consideration for the finalist selections.
In addition to Urbanski, the finalists for “Saxophone Idol” included Nicholas Biello from Prospect, Connecticut, and Rajiv Halim from Chicago, Illinois. All three saxophonists performed during the finals and Urbanski was chosen by the panel of judges as the first Saxophone Idol. He received a brand new Keilwerth MKX tenor saxophone, a year supply of Vandoren reeds and a Vandoren mouthpiece/ligature outfit from DANSR, a two-year subscription to Downbeat magazine, and the opportunity to perform live with Ernie Watts during the Saxophone Idol finals. Urbanski also has the opportunity to become a Julius Keilwerth Saxophone Artist.
Group Keilwerth Product Manager Al Maniscalco summed up the evening to say, “It was amazing to have three of the brightest young saxophone stars from around the world in one room to perform together. Although a winner had to be selected, there were no losers as all three finalists performed at a world-class level.” When asked about Urbanski’s performance with Ernie Watts to close the evening: “I can’t imagine a more perfect conclusion to the first Saxophone Idol competition. What an amazing night of music!”
Krzysztof Urbanski and Earnie Watts
Krzysztof Urbanski and Ernie Watts
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