The “JazzPrix International Band Competition,” one of the most competitive jazz events that takes place annually at DC JazzFest, scheduled for Aug. 27-31, brings together five jazz groups for an opportunity to win a monetary prize, mentoring, studio time and a guaranteed performance at the annual festival the year after winning.
The 2024 “JazzPrix” winner, the Hiruy Tirfe (pronounced HUH-ROY TURF) Quartet, based in Philadelphia, has been busy building visibility with the help of their prize, and the group is ready to take the festival stage this August.
“I found out about the JazzPrix by searching for grants and sponsorship opportunities for my next album,” said Tirfe. “I submitted the materials, including the master for my album ‘10,000 Hours,’ then responded to a questionnaire. When I saw the email that I was one of the finalists, I was going through a soundcheck with [hip-hop group] The Roots for their annual picnic last year.”
Learning the Ropes
The “JazzPrix” brings together artists at various early stages of their careers. Many have an established following but are seeking a boost to advance to the next phase in jazz.
Because Tirfe had learned about the business end of being a professional musician from the contacts he had built in the Philadelphia area, his mentoring experience with the team at DC JazzFest solidified his knowledge.
Willard Jenkins— artistic director of DC Jazz Festival, the nonprofit behind the annual event and programming year round, and a 2024 National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Jazz Master— offered coaching on conducting interviews and provided feedback on Tirfe’s marketing strategies.
Sunny Sumter, president and CEO of the festival, provided guidance to Tirfe about jazz networking events, as well as how to establish himself as an LLC, which he had already done. Tirfe also credits his professional development opportunity to what he received from Philadelphia-based Gerald Veasley, a bassist and president of Jazz Philadelphia.
“I’m impressed not only by Hiruy’s playing, but his willingness to put himself out there to create opportunities for other musicians,” Veasley said.
Becoming a Bandleader
Most of the early music in Tirfe’s household originated from Africa through the Eritrean roots of his parents, as well as Ethiopian culture, where his father was born.
Tirfe started playing music in elementary school. After trying different instruments, it was the saxophone that drew him in during his childhood in the Philadelphia metropolitan area.
Philadelphia has always been a musical city with a history of noted musical innovators. Through a music program for youth at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia, Tirfe was coached by many well-known jazz artists, including: the late drummer and member of Miles Davis’ first great quintet, Jimmy Cobb; saxophonist Javon Jackson; and vocalist/songwriter Kurt Elling.
“The community in Philly kept me on my toes by practicing as much as I could. I started putting bands together in my teens,” said Tirfe, who is also a woodwindist, composer, arranger, educator, and film scorer. “When I got to the University of the Arts in Philly, I would get some cats together, write some music, and see how it would work out.”
Continuing to Create and Perform, More to Come
With the album under their belt and a busy performance schedule, the Hiruy Tirfe Quartet is well on its way.
Their album “10,000 Hours” is available on all platforms and can be heard regularly on SiriusXM Real Jazz 67. The band also performed at D.C.’s Blues Alley in June, as the iconic venue embarks on launching its 60th anniversary celebration.
As last year’s “JazzPrix” winning band, the Hiruy Tirfe Quartet will perform at this year’s 21st Annual DC Jazz Festival. While the performance date has not been announced, the core band will include bandleader and saxophonist Hiruy Tirfe, Keith Phelps on piano, Sandy Eldred on upright bass, and Lionel Forrester Jr. on drums.
“You are guaranteed to be engaged in a high level of artistry, musicianship and professionalism when you listen to saxophonist Hiruy Tirfe and his quartet,” according to the DC Jazz Festival website.
Listen to an interview with Hiruy Tirfe on the YouTube channel WashingtonInformerTV: https://bit.ly/HiruyTirfeWashingtonInformerTV.
To get tickets for this year’s DC Jazz Festival, go to dcjazzfest.org.