Oct 24, 2025
Jazzback Thursday 🎹 1987: The very first International Piano Competition in Washington, D.C.
In this picture: Marcus Roberts (Florida, second from left) was awarded First Place, launching a remarkable international career. Rob van Bavel (The Netherlands) took Second, John Colianni (New York) placed Third, and Joey DeFrancesco (Pennsylvania) came in Fourth before Harry Appleman.
The esteemed panel of judges included Sir Roland Hanna, Barry Harris, Hank Jones, Roger Kellaway, and Dado Moroni.