Blazin' Quartet is a group of young, passionate musicians studying in the Netherlands. They like to cross musical borders and are all equipped with a broad sense of musicianship. Their compositions and playing draw inspiration from the musical culture of the Balkans, the freedom of jazz and the sounds of the electronic music era. The concert on North Sea Jazz is also their debut album presentation as well.
The EBU European Jazz Competition is cooperation between the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the Dutch Foundation of the European Jazz Competition and the North Sea Jazz Festival.
The competition promotes European jazz talent. Earlier this year the EBU (Geneva office of Euroradio) organized the qualifying rounds. Member (public broadcasting) organizations of the EBU of eighteen European countries nominated local jazz bands.
Earlier this year the EBU-jury, consisting of jazz producers from around Europe, selected in a blindfolded way four finalists. The fifth finalist is the winner of the Dutch Jazz competition 2008: Blazin' Quartet. Each finalist presents himself with a performance of 45 minutes. The EBU organizes radio broadcasts of the finals all over Europe.
The finalists compete for the SENA Award Best Group. The winner of this award will be offered a cheque of € 5,000. Further on, this group receives support in finding participation at essential international jazz festivals and other major music events. The winner of the NORMA Award for best soloist will receive an encouragement of € 2,500.
