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The “Live Music in May” contest sponsored by @ntopaz officially ended a few days back, and I’ve been going over the entries to try and pick some worthy winners. Actually, there were more entries than I had expected (as music is still a developing area on @ntopaz), so I was pleasantly surprised by the number and the quality of entries. Music in particular is a time consuming art form to judge as well, as it means that you have to sit down and actually listen to the whole piece… there is no way to just skip and skim through!

So, first things first… I would like to thank everyone who put in an entry (or more than one!). It was a real pleasure to listen to all of you! I’m afraid that not everyone followed the rules of the contest (codeword: Silence, and not too much post editing…). Initially, I had thought that I wouldn’t have enough entries to stick to the rules whilst picking a winner, but in the end I had more than enough entries that did conform with the rules… and in the interests of fair play, I will have to disqualify any entries that didn’t have the codeword. I’m really sorry, it isn’t a comment on your music or performance, but we need to be all playing by the same rules!

Finally, before we get onto the good stuff… This was the first contest that I have hosted for @ntopaz (hopefully one of more to come…) and so it was a bit of a learning on the job sort of thing. I had inadvertently messed up the initial announcement post…. And so things started rolling out in a sort of chaotic way (definitely my fault!), however things seemed to settle down in the end. It also coincided with a time when I had very little time to sit and properly listen to entries, so apologies for the late responses to your entries… I think in the end, I did manage to make it around to everyone! So, many lessons learned for me, and I hope to have a more efficient way of hosting the contest next time!

My criteria for judging was a balance of technique but most importantly musicality... it is that undefinable thing that allows a musician to communicate with their audience, to make a live performance engaging and not an exercise in playing the right notes at the right time. IT's a hard thing to describe in words, but as a professional musician, it is the sort of thing that really sets real musicians (professional or amateur) apart from their peers. Sadly, it is also something that can be accidentally drummed out of us in the pursuit of technical perfection that has come about from the demands of the recording industry.

Of course, a different person can listen to the entries and come up with a different order and listing... that is what makes music a subjective art... the listener and the mood of the listener can change the perception of the music immensely.

For the complete list of entries (including the non-valid entries) please see the contest entry submission post here.

nTopaz tokens can be found on the wallet page of your nTOPAZ profile. They will be following the roadmap described here.

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First Place: 3000 nTopaz Tokens

Lover Boy by @exzorltg

To me this was what live performance is about... sure there are things that are not perfect, but it comes across as a skillful, intimate and genuine communication.

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Second Place: 2000 nTopaz Tokens

Tango and Skai by @carlosgu

I love this music... and @carlosgu is one of the better guitarists that I've seen on this platform! So, I was happy to see his entry! I am constantly in awe of what is possible on the guitar... thank you for sharing this performance!

Prelude a moll, Richter

Okay... here I have to declare a touch of bias! I specialise in Early Music... and so this sort of music is the genre that resonates and touches me the most... and I have to say, I really loved this performance!

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Third Place: 1000 nTopaz Tokens

A Song for Mother's Day by @rosatravels

This was a beautiful improvisation based on a fairly simple progression... however, I really enjoyed the use of time that @rosatravels gave to the piece.

Las brumas del mar by @ylich

I have no idea what he is singing about, but it just brought such a smile to my face! It is joyful sounding music and his ease with the "audience" is something great to see!

First entry by @alfredmusic

Again, another performer who has such an easy rapport with the audience... which is also important, but the music is also such that brought joy to me to listen to! Sadly... I'm also not sure what he is singing about!

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Thank you

Thanks also go to the other valid entries, you were all great… I’m sorry I couldn’t have something for everyone!

My Modern Rendition of Autumn Leaves by @rosatravels

Different Improvisations upon Autumn Leaves by @rosatravels

Mister Jones by @ylich

Entry 2 by @alfredmusic