Young Musicians - Apply now for Jazz North Introduces

Applications for Jazz North Introduces will be accepted online until June 22nd 2016 and Jazz North is asking teachers, musicians and youth music leaders to spread the word about this great opportunity for exceptional young jazz musicians.

The scheme is open to musicians under 25 and is designed to support emerging ensembles to further their careers by offering mentorship, advice on promotion and marketing and the opportunity to perform at a number of high profile jazz festivals across the North.

Successful applicants will receive -

• a high profile performance opportunity at 5 or more leading northern jazz festivals
• the gigs will be paid and expenses will be covered
• photo shoot for the band
• video showreel for the band
• help with producing EPK (Electronic Press Kit)
• mentoring from leading UK jazz artists

There is also a special award given to one band in the Under 19 category. This band will receive a day of mentoring with a leading UK jazz artist and a performance opportunity at a Northern jazz venue.

Applications can be made online by visiting the Jazz North website, where you can also find more information about the previous recipients of Jazz North Introduces - Stretch Trio, Jam Experiment and Artephis.

NJ Advent Calendar - Video: Stretch Trio (December 23rd)

 Stretch Trio met while studying at LCoM and have won both Jazz North Introduces and the Peter Whittingham Jazz Award. This film was shot by photographer and film-maker Maria Alzamora.

  Live electronica unit, Stretch Trio, blend digital ambience and soundscapes, with driving drum & bass grooves. Blurring the line between the premeditated structure of programmed electronic music and live real-time interaction, Stretch Trio appeal to both the die-hard dance fans and astute improvised music fans. At the end of 2015, Stretch Trio will be recording their sound defining second album, to be produced by Pete Wareham. Expect fierce sub-bass, ambient effects loops and precision drum grooves that grab you by the throat.

Calling All Emerging Jazz Talent - Peter Whittingham Award 2016

Help Musicians UK have opened submissions for the 2016 Peter Whittingham Award, marking its 25th year supporting emerging jazz talent in the UK.

The award is presented each year to a musician or ensemble to support a career-building project with a cash prize of £5,000. An expert in survival medicine, Peter Whittingham was also a pianist who enjoyed the music of Gershwin, Porter, Sondheim, Bernstein, Shearing and Peterson. After his death in 1987 his family set up this award in his memory – and their connection with the award continues.

In recent years, musicians from the North have dominated the recipient list - Roller Trio, Reuben Fowler, Phil Meadows and Stretch Trio (pictured above) from 2011 to 2014.

Auditions will be held at Premises Studio in Hackney, London on December 2nd and the deadline for applications is Monday 2nd November at 6pm.The award is open to musicians in the first two years of their professional careers or those in higher education.

For more information, visit the Help Musicians UK website.
 

A day of Jazz at the Chapel Allerton Festival

The annual Chapel Allerton Arts festival takes place this year between 31st August and 6th September with a range of events and activities for all ages - there's film, art and music at various venues across Chapel Allerton. As has become tradition, the Seven Jazz team led by Steve Crocker are putting on a full day of Jazz to end the festival on Sunday 6th September.

For £3, audiences can see live jazz from 12.30pm until 6.30pm as well as enjoying the sunshine (hopefully!) and food and drink stalls run by local producers and businesses.

12.30pm - Garforth Jazz Rock Band 
1.30pm - Stretch Trio
2.30pm - Rod Mason/Nicki Allan Quintet
3.30pm - James O'Hara Blues Band
4.30pm - Louis Louis Louis
5.30pm - Tarantismo

If that isn't enough jazz, you can also see jazz singer Tessa Smith lead the Community Choir at 3.15pm, Hassan Erraji at 7pm and  A Dread Supreme at 9pm all on Saturday 5th September.

For more information on the programme, visit the Chapel Allerton Arts Festival website.

Stretch Trio Win Peter Whittingham Award

Jazz in the North got another boost this week with the announcement that Stretch Trio have won this year's prestigious Peter Whittingham Award.

The Leeds-based trio fought off stiff competition to win the £4,000 award which is given to a musician or group who present a project which showcases innovation, creativity and ambition.

“We are thrilled to have been offered the Peter Whittingham Jazz Award 2014. It comes at a crucial moment in our career and will enable us to develop the band in a way that would not otherwise have been possible”.

Stretch Trio join an impressive list of groups and musicians that have previously won the award including Soweto Kinch, Led Bib, Roller Trio and Phil Meadows.

Earlier this year The Stretch Trio were selected by a panel of festival promoters as the first Jazz North Introduces band. Through the award they made high profile showcase performances at the Gateshead International Jazz Festival and Scarborough Jazz Festivals and mentoring. In November they released their debut album, Antithesis, which is available through their Bandcamp page.