The Jacob Neale Jazz Awards are presented by Newcastle Conservatorium of Music in collaboration with the Newcastle Improvised Music Association (NIMA), Adamstown Arts and the Newcastle and Hunter Jazz Club.
Please join us for the awards finals on Saturday 19th July 2025 at 7:00pm, to celebrate our next generation of jazz musicians. Five young finalists will be chosen to perform a program of jazz piano pieces with the chance to win $5000 (1st prize) or $2500 (2nd prize).
About
The Jacob Neale Jazz Awards have been created by the Newcastle music community in honour of Jacob Neale’s outstanding contribution to jazz and improvised music. Jacob won the jazz competition at Adamstown Arts (The Dungeon) and performed regularly as part of the jazz festival in Newcastle. Jacob came first in NSW in HSC Music 2 and Music Extension and was selected to perform at Encore. He completed a Bachelor of Music at Newcastle University and a Masters of Education, and taught at Belmont Christian College and Hunter School of the Performing Arts.
Jacob was very active as a volunteer and performer for NIMA. He was the Music Director for the prestigious Sydney-based Talent Development Program after graduating from the same program. Other musical direction work included several years leading the NSW Premier’s Gala Concert which saw him support a myriad of A-list Australian musicians such as Shannon Noll, Vanessa Amorosi, Christine Anu, Paulini Curuenavuli, Marina Pryor, Casey Donovan, Emma Pask, John Paul Young and many others. Jacob’s incredible piano playing, compositions, arrangements and productions have inspired many emerging artists and colleagues in Newcastle and beyond. A quiet force behind many popular ensembles and events, Jacob was greatly loved and respected by all who knew him.
Jacob sadly passed away from brain cancer in December, 2023. His legacy has inspired these awards. The major sponsors and supporters of these awards are friends and colleagues who had a long association with Jacob.
