Gabriel Wade, who earned his Master of Music in Jazz Studies from the NIU School of Music in 2024 is one of three finalists in the 2026 Ryan Anthony Memorial Trumpet Competition at the International Trumpet Guild’s 50th Anniversary Conference at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York.
Wade is competing in the jazz improvisation category. The finals are being held May 28 at 10 p.m. EDT at Hyatt Regency Street Grill in Rochester.
The Ryan Anthony Memorial Trumpet Competition is an annual event open to artists under the age of 28.
Wade has already advanced through two rounds of the competition. He and the other two finalists will play a set of three selections, including Miles Davis’ Joshua. Each finalist will perform with a professional rhythm section. First prize includes a $3,500 cash award
Wade recently advanced to the finals of the Luminarts Jazz Improvisation Fellowship competition. He serves as a faculty member in the music program at William Rainey Harper College in Palatine.
