The Louisville Jazz Society has two annual scholarships available:
Jamey Aebersold Scholarship Award
Established to honor the legacy of legendary jazz educator and saxophonist Jamey Aebersold, The Louisville Jazz Society Jamey Aebersold Scholarship Award is presented annually to a promising young jazz instrumentalist residing in or attending a collegiate jazz studies program in the Louisville-Jefferson County Metro area.
This award is presented annually in July at the Jamey Aebersold Birthday Celebration and Jam Session.
CRITERIA FOR AWARD RECIPIENTS
- Outstanding Jazz musicianship
- Residing in or attending a collegiate jazz studies program in the Louisville-Jefferson County Metropolitan Statistical Area, including the following counties:
- Kentucky: Bullitt, Henry, Jefferson, Meade, Nelson, Oldham, and Shelby counties
- Indiana: Clark, Floyd, Harrison, Scott, and Washington counties
SUBMISSIONS MUST INCLUDE:
- A statement of support from the nominee’s music instructor
- A statement from the nominee describing their background in music and plans for further study.
- A video recording of the nominee improvising on a jazz standard
HOW TO APPLY
Fill in the online form by clicking the button below.
If you prefer snail mail, submissions can be mailed to:
The Louisville Jazz Society
Attn: Jamey Aebersold Scholarship Committee
P.O. Box 5082
Louisville, KY 40255
Submissions must be received no later than May 1st.
PAST RECIPIENTS
- 2025: Evan Price, drums; BA in Jazz Studies and Music Education at University of Louisville School of Music
Greg Walker Memorial Jazz Award
From the Community Foundation of Louisville website: “Guitarist Greg Walker was a pillar of the Louisville jazz community for decades before his passing in August of 2021. He not only loved mellow jazz but people too. He mentored many a young musician and spent time helping friends. To cherish his memory, a Greg Walker Memorial Jazz Fund has been established with the Community Foundation of Louisville to provide an annual award to a promising jazz musician. Each award will be presented by the Louisville Jazz Society.”
The Greg Walker Memorial Jazz Award was established in 2022 by Greg Walker’s sister, Sandy Kurtz, and his daughter, Mindy Walker Jett, to honor his legacy and support a talented jazz musician in the Louisville community. Through the Greg Walker Memorial Jazz Fund, established with the Community Foundation of Louisville, an annual award is provided to an outstanding or promising jazz musician in the Louisville/Kentuckiana area.
Greg Walker was a man of many talents – singer, arranger and an amazing guitar player who covered all genres, especially jazz, blues and rock. Greg lived out his passion as a musician, making his mark on the Louisville music community as a well-respected jazz guitarist with the band Walker & Kays. He lent his talents to other musicians throughout the city and surrounding areas and was known to be an extraordinary accompanist to any singer he backed up. Greg devoted his life to his music and his friends. If you ever needed a friendly hand, Greg was there for you. He had that rare combination of being both a great musician and a profoundly generous soul.
CRITERIA FOR AWARD RECIPIENTS
- Outstanding Jazz musicianship
- Established or potential positive impact on the jazz community
- Additional criteria that may be considered:
- Jazz vocalist and/or significant experience working with, supporting, and encouraging vocalists.
- Financial need or career challenges.
HOW TO APPLY
Fill in the online form by clicking the button below.
If you prefer snail mail, submissions can be mailed to:
The Louisville Jazz Society
Attn: Greg Walker Jazz Award Committee
P.O. Box 5082
Louisville, KY 40255
Due date?
PAST RECIPIENTS
Between 2022 and 2024, this award was given annually by the Louisville Jazz Society in partnership with MERF, the Musicians Emergency Resource Fund. Beginning in 2025, this award was given annually by the Louisville Jazz Society.
2025: David Mehl, trumpet & band leader
Dave was born in 1934 in Michigan into a musical family. He started playing the trumpet at 8 and also sang in his father’s children’s choir at church starting about then. He continued playing trumpet in dance bands through high school and college, forming his own combos and playing gigs at local clubs.
Dave served in the US Army, performing with the 424th US Army Band as well as singing and playing bass in a vocal quartet that performed “Four Freshmen” type arrangements.
In 1958, after moving to Louisville, Dave formed the Swing Street Big Band. That band has been active ever since, featuring vocalists Barbara Saad, Jeanette Kays, June Kelly-Roy, and currently Harvey Turner. For the last 16 years, the Swing Street Big Band has been performing steadily at KingFish Restaurant on River Road.
During these years, Dave teamed up with Ernie Sanders and the duo played a great many gigs at assisted living facilities, with Ernie managing the “band in a box” and playing sax while Dave sang, played the flugelhorn, bongos and other Latin instruments and told corny jokes.
Dave also sang in church choirs for over 80 years, retiring recently.
2024: Pete Petersen, jazz pianist
Pete has been a stalwart figure in the Louisville jazz scene for decades, performing in jazz and popular groups while also holding down the steady solo piano gig at Jack Ruby’s Steak House. Early this year he suffered a stroke that has debilitated his left hand and leg. With great dedication and discipline, he has been recovering and is back on the scene playing regularly with just his right hand! The left side is recovering slowly as well.
The Louisville Jazz Society and MERF are pleased to present this year’s Greg Walker Memorial Jazz Award to Pete Petersen!
2023: Meghan Pund, saxophone/clarinet (presented April 28, 2024)
2022: Brian Curella, guitar