Jazz bands and combos from Auckland, Pukekohe and Wellington took out some of the top trophies at this year's National Youth Jazz Competition, held on Wednesday and Thursday in the Addison Theatre.

The Best of Festival Trophy for the most outstanding jazz band was presented to Crumbly Jack and Mel Stevenson Combo from Wellington with the New Orleans Trophy for most outstanding Big Band going to Pukekohe High School Big Band.

The Norman Family Trophy for Best Jazz Combo was won by Avondale Quartet from Avondale College, Auckland.

Michael van Lieshout from Tauranga Boys' College won the Mayers Music Centre Most Outstanding Guitarist Trophy, and Tauranga Boy's Combo One won the L & M Mason Trophy for Best Musicianship Combo.

There were more competitors at this year's National Youth Jazz Competition than at any other time in the competition's history says National Youth Jazz Competition Manager Liam Ryan.

'We had a record number of 400 registrations from 30 secondary schools as far and wide as Christchurch to Orewa,” says Liam.

Louis Holland winner of the George Rawiri Trophy for the most outstanding musician. Photo: Supplied.

The 43r^d National Youth Jazz Competition held at Baycourt Community and Arts Centre on Wednesday March 31 and Thursday April 1 featured the most competitors in its 43-year history.

The judges' Dr Rodger Fox and Eilish Wilson from New Zealand School of Music - NZSM, Dr Roger Manins from University of Auckland and Ben Wilcock from Toi Ohomai were impressed by the standard of excellence of performance from the young musicians.

Head judge Dr Rodger Fox felt the standard of combos and big bands was improving year to year, in large partly due to the schools returning to the competition and building on their performances each time.

'It's very encouraging to see the competition continuing to grow; it shows it is valued by the schools,” says Dr Fox. 'The bands are very receptive to feedback and this is showing in the band performances. It's great to see students really working on improvisational playing.”

Michael van Lieshout Tauranga Boys' College winner of the Mayers Music Centre Most Outstanding Guitarist Trophy. Photo: Supplied.

After performing, the combos and big bands had a workshop with a judge, receiving immediate feedback on their performance - a total of 45 workshops.

Manager Liam Ryan says this year's National Youth Jazz Competition showcased the best of youth jazz in the country.

'The standard of performances is incredibly high, with jazz becoming a popular part of the New Zealand school music curriculum,” says Liam. 'The students blew us away again this year with their musicality, their enthusiasm, and their energy.

'It's great to see the students performing in a limousine theatre like Baycourt's Addison Theatre – they get the full experience of performing on a big stage to a large appreciative audience. We love that Tauranga comes out and supports them too.

'A big thank you must go to the school musical directors, young performers who played their hearts out, parents, and support teams who come along and make it happen.

'We are very grateful to our sponsors for their support in hosting this event. It has been a wonderful two days of youth jazz and it feels more like we are developing a national music community than a competition,” says Liam.

The 43rd National Youth Jazz Competition is sponsored by Tauranga City Council, TECT, New Zealand School of Music: Victoria University of Wellington, SAE Institute, Music Planet, Creative Communities Tauranga, Dr Toot.