BMI presented its 37th Annual Jazz Composers Workshop Summer Showcase on June 12, 2026, at the Leonard Nimoy Thalia Theatre at Symphony Space in New York City. The event highlighted new big band and jazz orchestra compositions developed during the 2025–2026 BMI Jazz Composers Workshop season.
The showcase was hosted by BMI Jazz Composers Workshop Musical Director Andy Farber and Assistant Musical Director Alan Ferber. The judging panel included acclaimed jazz musicians and composers Jon Faddis, Michael Philip Mossman, and David Rivello.
The BMI/New York Jazz Orchestra performed nine original works: “Change” by Sam Blakeslee, “Ballad For Today” by Michael Brorby, “Perceptions” by Amadis Dunkel, “Eyes Wide Open” by Arta Jēkabsone, “See You at the Next Corner” by Migiwa Miyajima, “Paper Cups” by Naoya Ogura, “Ghosts in Machines” by Arnie Sainz, “1621” by David Sneider, and “Frontiers” by John Sturino.
Following the performances, Ogura’s “Paper Cups” was selected as the winning composition. In addition to receiving the Charlie Parker Jazz Composition Prize, Ogura was awarded the $3,000 Manny Albam Commission by the BMI Foundation. The commission, named in memory of the workshop’s late founder and longtime music director, supports the creation of a new work that will premiere at next year’s showcase.
The evening concluded with 2025 Charlie Parker Prize recipient Michael R. Dudley debuting their commissioned composition, “While You Still Got One.”
Pictured at the event were BMI Jazz Composers Workshop Musical Director Andy Farber, BMI Foundation President and BMI AVP of Creative, Classical and Jazz Deidre Chadwick, 2026 Charlie Parker Prize and Manny Albam Commission winner Naoya Ogura, and BMI Jazz Composers Workshop Assistant Musical Director Alan Ferber. The photo was taken by Brian Berson for BMI.
