Student-based UA jazz combo, the Akakaze Quartet, entered the 11th annual 2017 Bucharest International Jazz Competition and has been selected as a semi-finalist. This competition for jazz musicians was open to any musician under the age of 40. Professionals, non-professionals, students and non-students from around the world submitted materials.

In 2016 the Bucharest International Jazz Competition accepted 25 bands with musicians from 26 countries: Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, Estonia, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong-China, Hungary, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Poland, Romania, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, The Netherlands, Turkey, United Kingdom, Ukraine, United States, and Venezuela.

The Akakaze Quartet is composed of Malachi Million and Drew Rogers on guitar, Grant D'Aubin on bass, and Matt Beach on drums — all students at the University of Arkansas. The quartet submitted three songs of varying styles including "Algernon" by Malachi Million, "Suspended Belief" by Salonen, and "Qatar Blues" also by Salonen. All semi-finalists must perform at three different venues at the competition. Finalists are chosen to perform on the last night of the competition where awards are determined.

The Akakaze Quartet has a gofundme page to help raise funds needed to make the trip to Bucharest. If you are interested in helping, please visit their page. 

You can hear more from the Akakaze Quartet from Wednesday's edition of Ozarks at Large on KUAF, Fayetteville's National Public Radio affiliate.