BMI Foundation, Inc. Presents Charlie Parker Jazz Composition Prize to Composer Michael R. Dudley Jr.
Left: 2025 Charlie Parker Jazz Composition Prize Winner Michael R. Dudley Jr. conducts their composition “Infidels” at the 35th Annual BMI Jazz Composers Workshop Summer Showcase on June 5, 2024 at The Marjorie S. Deane Little Theater in New York City. Credit Brian Berson for BMI
Right: 2024 Charlie Parker Jazz Composition Prize Winner Takumi Kakimoto conducts the world premiere of his commissioned piece “Chasing the Horizon” performed by the BMI/New York Jazz Orchestra at the 36th Annual BMI Jazz Composers Workshop Summer Showcase on June 20, 2025 at Symphony Space in New York City. Credit Brian Berson for BMI
NEW YORK, NY - July 2, 2025 - BMI Foundation, Inc. presented the Charlie Parker Jazz Composition Prize and Manny Albam Commission to Michael R. Dudley Jr. for their composition “Infidels” at the 36th Annual BMI Jazz Composers Workshop Summer Showcase, held at Leonard Nimoy Thalia Theatre at Symphony Space in New York City on June 20th. The night also featured the premiere of 2024 winner Takumi Kakimoto’s Manny Albam Commissioned work “Chasing the Horizon.”
The Charlie Parker Jazz Composition Prize is awarded annually to the composer of the best original work created in the BMI Jazz Composers Workshop. The award was established in 2000 and honors the memory of legendary jazz saxophonist and composer Charlie Parker. The $3,000 prize includes the Manny Albam Commission to write a new work for premiere at the following year’s showcase concert by the BMI/New York Jazz Orchestra. Past winners include GRAMMY-nominated musicians Rufus Reid and Darcy James Argue, pianist José Beviá, and bassist Noriko Ueda.
The 2025 BMI/New York Jazz Orchestra performance was hosted by Musical Director Andy Farber and Assistant Musical Director Alan Ferber and included eight original works: “Dust Storm” by Ben Morris, “Where is My Home, Mvt 1” by Migiwa Miyajima, “You Were You (But I Was Me)” by Arnie Sainz, “A Thoughtful Cat” by Jay Brandford, “Big Sushi” by Meg Okura, “The Sea is All Yours” by Naoya Ogura, “E.M.I.D.” by David Sneider, and the winning work “Infidels” by Michael R. Dudley Jr.. The judging panel, which convened at the end of the night to select the winner, included the esteemed jazz musicians and composers Adam Birnbaum, Dave Douglas and Scott Healy. BMI’s Pat Cook directs the Jazz Composers Workshop.
About Michael R. Dudley Jr
Brooklyn-based composer Michael R. Dudley Jr. has developed an award-winning multi-disciplinary musical career, having earned commissions/recognition from the Sphinx Organization, ASCAP, New York Youth Symphony, and American Composers Orchestra. As a trumpet player, they have performed with numerous acclaimed ensembles including the Maria Schneider Orchestra, Christian McBride Big Band, and Darcy James Ague's Secret Society, in addition to recording on multiple GRAMMY®-winning albums.
About the BMI Foundation, Inc.
The BMI Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded in 1985 to encourage the creation, performance, and study of American music. The Foundation’s programs include competitive scholarships for songwriters and composers, operating grants for nonprofit arts presenters, and support for innovative music education initiatives in schools and communities across the country. For more information about the work of the Foundation, please visit our website at www.bmifoundation.org. For exclusive news and content, follow @bmifoundation on Instagram and like BMI Foundation on Facebook.
