Former Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music jazz student Jeremy Borthwick has been nominated for the 2003 National Jazz Awards.

Mr Borthwick is among 10 nominees competing for the national title at Australia’s premier jazz festival, the Traffic Accident Commission Wangaratta Festival of Jazz on the November 1 weekend.

“It is very exciting to be nominated for the national title because each year the type of instrument to be used for entering the competition changes,” he said.

This year recorded entries included performances from trumpeters and trombonists aged 35 years or younger from Queensland to Western Australia.

He has been playing the trombone for 21 years after joining the Queensland Government’s bands program at North Mackay State High School.

“I would urge those students thinking about a career in music to persevere and be prepared to dedicate yourself to hours of practice.”.

Mr Borthwick started a Bachelor of Jazz Studies (Honours) in Mackay in 1996 and has become a well-known Sydney performer.

The awards were originally designed to feature pianists and this was the case in 1990-92 competitions. A variation in format included saxophonists in 1993-95. To share opportunities among other musicians, the system has changed each year since and includes brass, drums, vocals and guitar.

Ten finalists will play in the first round, with three selected to perform in the final round, which will be recorded for a national broadcast on Jim McLeod's ‘Jazztrack’ on ABC Classic FM. The winner receives $6000 and a studio recording session.