Michael R. Dudley Jr. Wins Charlie Parker Prize/Manny Albam Commission at BMI’s Jazz Composers Showcase

BMI’s 36th Annual Jazz Composers Workshop Summer Showcase, held at Leonard Nimoy Thalia Theatre at Symphony Space in New York City on June 20, featured some of the best new big band and jazz orchestra compositions created in the workshop during the 2024-2025 season. The evening was hosted by Musical Director Andy Farber and Assistant Musical Director Alan Ferber and judged by a panel of esteemed jazz musicians and composers, Adam Birnbaum, Dave Douglas and Scott Healy.

The BMI/New York Jazz Orchestra performed eight works, including: “Dust Storm” by Ben Morris, “Where is My Home, Mvt 1” by Migiwa Miyajima, “You Were You (But I Was Me)” by Arnie Sainz, “A Thoughtful Cat” by Jay Brandford, “Infidels” by Michael R. Dudley Jr., “Big Sushi” by Meg Okura, “The Sea is All Yours” by Naoya Ogura and “E.M.I.D.” by David Sneider. After an evening of incredible performances, Michael R. Dudley Jr.’s “Infidels” was chosen as the winning piece by the judges. Dudley was unable to attend the event in person, and Ferber accepted the award on their behalf. In addition to receiving the prestigious Charlie Parker Jazz Composition Prize, the BMI Foundation also awarded Dudley the $3,000 Manny Albam commission—named in memory of the workshop’s late founder and longtime music director—to compose a new piece that will premiere at next year’s showcase.

The evening concluded with 2024 Charlie Parker Jazz Composition Prize recipient Takumi Kakimoto debuting his commissioned composition, “Chasing the Horizon.”

For more information on this renowned workshop and its history, click here.