Gitarist Bert Cool became on Sunday March 21 the winner of the Erasmus Jazz Prize 2010. Cools , a promising student of the Rotterdam Jazz Academy of the Rotterdam Conservatory, excelled through his open style of play. Bert Cools surprised judges and audience with an unparalleled good show. The Jazz Erasmus Prize (EJP) experienced an anniversary this year: it was the fifteenth edition. This prestigious prize is a great stepping stone for a number of successful young jazz musicians, including Jan van Duikeren, Xandra Verkroost, Nico Scheepers, Bart Wirtz, Ruben van Rompaey, Louk Boudesteijn, Dimitar Bodurov, Jasper van Hulten, Eelco of Meeberg and Jasper van Damme.
Students of the Rotterdam Jazz Academy competed for the prize, the honor, and the opportunities that winning the prize would give them. Over the past few years, the EJP was always supported by donations from Friends of the Foundation of the Rotterdam Conservatory. This year Friends have also found an enthusiastic sponsor in Unive Zuid-Holland UA. This cooperation enabled the EJP to a higher plan. Bert Cools took a cash prize of € 2,000. Myriam Gaasbeek and Boris Oud each won € 500.
Source: www.jazznieuws.nl
