Experience the American Pianists Awards!

IndyStar calls it the “Super Bowl of jazz,” and one of five finalists will win a prize valued over $200,000.

Caelan Cardello, Esteban Castro, Paul Cornish, Thomas Linger and Isaiah J. Thompson come together for a free community concert presented by Christ Church Cathedral two days before the finals of the 13-month competition.

Starting at 11am, the public is welcome to celebrate the Awards by dancing on the Big Piano outside the Cathedral.

Following the concert, Downbeat magazine’s Mark Ruffin will test the musical skills of 2015 Awards winner Sullivan Fortner.

Downbeat’s “Blindfold Test” is a listening test that challenges the featured artist to discuss and identify the music and musicians who performed on selected recordings. No information is given to the artist prior to the test.

The concert takes place Thursday April 20 at noon, and the Blindfold Test will follow at 1:15pm ET. Both events are open and free to the public, and the Test will be livestreamed by Downbeat and the American Pianists Association.

Sullivan Fortner is a Grammy-winning jazz pianist, composer, band leader, and uncompromising individualist.

Mark Ruffin is a journalist and Grammy-nominated producer who serves as program director for Real Jazz on Sirius/XM.

For more information, visit https://americanpianists.org/finals.