American Piano Awards Names Five Finalists for the 2027 Jazz Competition
2027 American Piano Awards Jazz Finalists
Awarded every four years, the Cole Porter Fellowship is one of the most significant honors available to an emerging American jazz pianist. Each finalist will receive $25,000, and the winner will receive a prize package valued at more than $200,000. Past winners and finalists include Emmet Cohen, Sullivan Fortner, Aaron Diehl, Kris Bowers, and Isaiah J. Thompson.
“Our mission is to promote and advance the careers of world-class young pianists,” APA President and CEO Chris Williams said. “These finalists represent the remarkable depth of talent shaping the future of jazz, and we are proud to support them as they continue to develop their artistry and share it with audiences everywhere.”
Serving as the 2027 Christel DeHaan Artistic Partner is Emmet Cohen, the internationally acclaimed jazz pianist, composer, bandleader, and 2017 American Piano Awards winner. In this role, Cohen will help shape the artistic experience throughout the competition season, supporting the finalists while engaging audiences in Indianapolis and beyond.
The five finalists were selected through a blind audition process from nominations submitted by more than 300 piano educators, artists, and industry professionals nationwide.
An internationally respected competition jury of jazz artists and industry professionals will adjudicate the Premiere Series and Finals. During the Premiere Series, each finalist will spend a week in Indianapolis for judged performances and community engagement activities, including a two-set concert at The Jazz Kitchen. The competition culminates with Finals Night on Saturday, April 24, 2027, at Hilbert Circle Theater.
Joe Block, Age 26
New York City–based pianist, composer, and Steinway Artist Joe Block is a graduate of the Columbia–Juilliard dual-degree program. He has performed with Wynton Marsalis, Kurt Rosenwinkel, and Leslie Odom Jr. at venues including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Village Vanguard. He was a finalist in the 2023 Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz International Piano Competition.
Caelan Cardello, Age 25
Caelan Cardello is a New York City–based pianist and composer originally from Teaneck, New Jersey, and a laureate of the 2023 American Piano Awards. He has performed with artists including Christian McBride, Jimmy Cobb, and Bill Charlap, and has appeared at venues such as Jazz at Lincoln Center and the Newport Jazz Festival. He is a recipient of the BMI Future Jazz Master Award and holds degrees from William Paterson University and The Juilliard School.
Brandon Goldberg, Age 20
South Florida–born pianist and composer Brandon Goldberg has performed at festivals including the Newport Jazz Festival, SFJAZZ, the Caramoor Jazz Festival, and at venues including Dizzy’s Club, Birdland Theater, and Mezzrow. He has released three albums, most recently Live at Dizzy’s (2024). He is a 2024 YoungArts Winner with Distinction, a 2023 Herbie Hancock Institute Piano Competition semifinalist, and a recipient of the ASCAP Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award.
Connor Rohrer, Age 26
Pianist, arranger, and composer Connor Rohrer, based in New York City, has performed at major international festivals including the Newport Jazz Festival, the Montreux Jazz Festival, and the BBC Proms, and at venues such as Carnegie Hall and the Royal Albert Hall. He has recorded with artists including Ron Carter and Dayna Stephens and was a second-place finalist in the 2023 Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz International Piano Competition, as well as a recipient of DownBeat Student Composition Awards. He tours with vocalist Samara Joy.
Brahm Sasner, Age 22
Pianist Brahm Sasner, based in New York City and originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, is a graduate of the Manhattan School of Music. He has performed throughout the United States and internationally, including appearances at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Dizzy’s Club. He is a recipient of awards from YoungArts and the Rubato International Piano Competition.
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About American Piano Awards
American Piano Awards advances the careers of young, world-class American pianists. Its flagship competition, the American Piano Awards, together with year-round artistic support, provides national exposure, performance opportunities, and professional development. To learn more, visit: pianoawards.org
Emily Hammer
American Piano Awards
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