Australia’s most prestigious award for emerging jazz musicians.
Freedman Fellowship
A career-defining program recognising excellence in performance and composition for musicians under 35, this $30,000 award is designed to support major projects, and offer career development for outstanding young musicians.
Finalists are chosen through a competitive application process, with the winner announced as part of a live performance. The Fellowship exists to support musicians developing an original voice in their music, and to take the next step forward in their career. Previous winners include Andrea Keller, Phil Slater, Kristin Berardi and Sam Gill.
DO NOT REMOVE
Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.
Program Details
Applications are accepted through an open process and submitted via the Freedman Fellowship website. Applications close in September. The finalists concert, a key feature of the award, is presented in November at The Neilson at ACO On The Pier. For more information visit freedmans.org.au.
Previous Recipients
2025 Sam Gill, saxophone
2023 Philippa Murphy-Haste, clarinet
2022 Tom Avgenicos, trumpet
2021 Hilary Geddes, guitar
2020 Helen Svoboda, bass
2019 Novak Manojlovic, piano
2018 Nick Garbett, trumpet
2017 Emma Stephenson, piano
2016 James McLean, drums
2015 Tal Cohen, piano
2014 Aaron Choulai, piano
2013 Marc Hannaford, piano
2012 Christopher Hale, bass guitar
2011 Matt Keegan, saxophone
2010 Ben Hauptmann, guitar
2007 Kristin Berardi, vocals
2006 Julien Wilson, saxophone
2005 Matt McMahon, piano
2004 James Muller, guitar
2003 Andrew Robson, saxophone
2002 Phil Slater, trumpet
2001 Andrea Keller, piano
More Programs
Judy Bailey Emerging Composer Award
Shortlisted by SIMA’s Artistic Advisory Committee.
