The audition, the selection of the winner and the award ceremony took place on 31.03 2022 with a public event at the »Jazz Schmiede . Düsseldorf« as part of the »SPOT ON JAZZ FESTIVAL 2022 . Düsseldorf«. Each candidate played together with the accompanying band (Reiner Witzel . saxophone, Sebastian Gahler . piano, Oliver Lutz . bass) three pieces of music chosen by himself (1x modern jazz, standard, ternary; 1x ballad; 1x groove jazz, funk/rock etc.. Binary) and a solo performance.
The winner was chosen by an exclusive jury and the audience present and honoured on the same evening.
Peter Weiss, the spiritus rector of the Düsseldorf jazz scene and musical director of the »Jazz Schmiede . Düsseldorf«, was enthusiastic about the level of the competition event: "It was a pleasure to experience the performances of the young musicians. They all played at a very high level and it was not easy for the jury and also the audience to decide for one of the nominees. In the end, the decision was close but unanimous for Merlin Hellenkamp. He was a shade more courageous, creative and motivated than his fellow contestants. What was impressive was the relaxed, friendly way the competing musicians treated each other. Everyone was proud to have been there! And the Jazz Schmiede team once again had the entire organisation superbly under control."
Under Corona conditions, a good 50 guests gathered at the Jazz Schmiede and experienced a great evening with the performances of the highly talented music students of the Folkwang University of the Arts . Essen and Hochschule für Musik und Tanz . Cologne. Nominated were Leo Asal, Merlin Hellenkamp, Jonathan Schierhorn and Finn Wiest, who without exception presented themselves as outstanding drummers and had no problems getting into the groove within a very short time with the accompanying band (Reiner Witzel . saxophone, Sebastian Gahler . piano, Oliver Lutz . bass), which was unknown to them until the event. They each had to perform three pieces of music they had chosen themselves (1x modern jazz, standard, ternary; 1x ballad; 1x groove jazz, funk/rock etc.. Binary) and a solo - a task they completed brilliantly.
The winner Merlin Hellenkamp was looking forward to his YOUNG JAZZ TALENT CONCERT TOUR in autumn 2022 - with concerts in renowned jazz clubs in Dortmund, Cologne, Berlin and Düsseldorf.
- Uli Beckerhoff . Internationally renowned jazz musician . Professor for Jazz Trumpet
- Jens Düppe . WDR prize winner 2019 . Jazz drummer and composer
- Peter Weiss . Initiator and organiser YOUNG JAZZ TALENT AWARD . Jazz drummer
- Jürgen Ringbeck . Initiator and Organiser YOUNG JAZZ TALENT AWARD . Jazz enthusiast
