The Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition is the most prestigious jazz competition in the world. It has launched the careers of a number of major jazz greats including Joshua Redman, Jane Monheit, and Joey DeFrancesco. This year, a Filipino-American, Jon Irabagon, won the competition. In addition to a $20,000 scholarship, Irabagon was also awarded a recording contract with Concord Music Group. The label plans to release Jon's album in mid-2009.
Jon Irabagon grew up in Chicago and began playing the saxophone at age eight. He received his master's degree at the Manhattan School of Music. He received two Downbeat awards and has participated in Betty Carter's Jazz Ahead and the Henry Mancini Institute. Since moving to New York, he has performed with Billy Joel, Wynton Marsalis, Lou Reed and Debbie Gibson. But tonight this illustrious list expanded: he shared the stage with Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, George Duke, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Cassandra Wilson, Terence Blanchard, The Edge and Bono of U2, and the legendary B.B. King.Representatives from The Jazz Society of the Philippines, USA were there during the semifinal and final competition at the Kodak Theater on October 26, 2008 to support this hugely talented Filipino-American. Irabagon has made history by being the first Filipino to hold this most prestigious title. He is scheduled to appear at the 4th Annual Filipino -American Jazz Festival, at Catalina Bar & Grill, in Hollywood, on December 27th.
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