Accent on Youth * Listen to Dinah Washington sing Accent on Youth _________ New Columnist Competition Competition Judges: Dee Dee Bridgewater _____ Grammy Award-winning jazz vocalist, actress, and recording artist Gary Giddins _____ The country's most eminent jazz writer; Bing Crosby's biographer      Jerry Jazz Musician announces a competition that presents aspiring young writers with the opportunity to become the web publication's next "Accent on Youth" columnist.      The original "Accent on Youth" column was written in August, 2003 by "Bunny M," a Texas teenager whose passion for jazz was the column's focus. Bunny informed readers of the challenges she faced as a young fan of jazz, and shared her own growing enthusiasm for it.  The column became an important component of Jerry Jazz Musician, and more importantly, an Internet address where readers could witness the emergence of a bright young talent dedicated to communicating her perspectives on and appreciation for an essential American art form.      Two years and sixteen columns later, Bunny -- now eighteen-years-old -- is busy spending time on new life challenges. "Accent on Youth," however, will continue, and a competition to replace her as its columnist has begun. Competition Details: *  Entrants will write an approximately five hundred word essay addressing this premise: Your best friend "Jerry" knows nothing about jazz music, and has just sent an email asking that you write him back and tell him what you like about it.  He also asks that you tell him who your favorite historic or contemporary jazz artist is, why you like that particular artist (or group) so much, and which recordings you would recommend.    *  Participation is open to young adults -- ages fourteen to seventeen -- who have a heartfelt interest in jazz, and who would like to share their enthusiasm for it with Jerry Jazz Musician readers in six columns written over a twelve-month period.  The columns will each be approximately one thousand words in length.   It is important that the entrant has interests in writing, jazz, and American history, and understands the commitment involved in writing a column. *  Entrants from anywhere in the world are accepted. *  Entries are to be sent via email to jm@jerryjazz.com. Send the entry within the body of the email. No attachments, please. The subject line should read "Accent on Youth Essay Entry." *  Entry deadline is February 15, 2006. *  With the consent of the entrant's parent or guardian, entries will be posted on Jerry Jazz Musician during the duration of the competition. *  Every essay will be read by the staff of Jerry Jazz Musician. Those entries chosen as the ten semi-finalists will be read by outgoing "Accent on Youth" columnist Bunny M.  The five finalists' essays will be read by Mr. Gary Giddins, the country's most eminent jazz critic whose collection of jazz writings, Visions of Jazz: The First Century was the winner of the 1998 National Book Critics Circle Award, and Grammy Award-winning jazz vocalist, actress, and recording artist Ms. Dee Dee Bridgewater. *  Mr. Giddins and Ms. Bridgewater will join the publisher of Jerry Jazz Musician in choosing the winning entry, to be announced by April 1, 2006. All entrants will receive an email announcement at this time. *  The winner's first "Accent on Youth" column will be published by April 1, 2005. (The winning essay will be the first column). *  With the publication of the winner's sixth column, Jerry Jazz Musician will donate $250 to the band or arts program of the educational institution the writer attends. *  No payments are made to the columnist.  All "Accent on Youth" columns become the property of Jerry Jazz Musician. Before the writer becomes twenty-one years of age, no publication of an "Accent on Youth" column will be published outside of Jerry Jazz Musician without the consent of the writer's parent or guardian. If any columns from "Accent on Youth" are ever published as part of a collection in a book or magazine, one hundred percent of the net profits will be donated to the Jazz Foundation of America.      Information about this contest is being distributed to a variety of media, as well as to educational institutions, and youth organizations. Participants will involve themselves in a potentially significant literary event that can offer the winner a worthwhile life experience.      It is the publisher's goal to provide a space for an endeavoring, impassioned writer to share his or her interests in jazz music with Jerry Jazz Musician's growing audience.  We invite you to contact us with questions, and encourage readers to forward this information to prospective participants.      Good luck!      JJM COMPLETE PRESS RELEASE