Jazz Services - A voice for jazz

In a career lasting more than five decades, trumpeter Henry Lowther (born 1941) has shown himself to be one of the most versatile performers in British jazz. In the 1960s, he played with many of the ground-breaking groups of the period including bands led by Mike Westbrook, Graham Collier and John Dankworth and with the New Jazz Orchestra.  At the same time, he established himself as a first call session musician recording with Bing Crosby, Nelson Riddle, Simon Rattle, Paul McCartney and Elton John among many others. Lowther played lead trumpet with both Gil Evans and George Russell. He has also been a successful bandleader with his 1970s group Quaternity, where he played trumpet and violin alongside Trevor Tomkins, Phil Lee and longtime collaborator bassist Dave Green. In the 1990s, he formed the band Still Waters with Pete Hurt, Ian Thomas, Peter Saberton and Dave Green, which showcases his compositions. More recently he has co-led the Great Wee Band with guitarist Jim Mullen, Stu Butterfield and the ever present Dave Green, recording 'The Sound of Music' in 2010.

Find Out More

Wikipedia - Henry Lowther

Recommended Recordings

With Mike Westbrook, Graham Collier

Child Song (Deram 1970)

Child Song

Light Blue (Spotlite 1978)

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In a career spanning more than two decades, Julian Joseph (born 1966) has established himself as one of the UK's leading composers and broadcasters as well as being a virtuoso pianist. In his teens he attended Ian Carr's jazz workshops, who supported his application for a Berklee scholarship in 1985. He soon teamed up with US saxophonist Branford Marsalis, touring USA and Canada with him as well as forming his own band with Branford's trombonist brother Delfeayo. Joseph kept in touch with the UK during this period, regularly performing with contemporaries like Courtney Pine and Steve Williamson, and recording several albums as a leader. From the early 1990s, Joseph had already begun performing and composing with concert orchestras and big bands. In 2007, he composed his first jazz opera, the critically acclaimed 'Bridgetower - A Fable of 1807'. This was followed in 2010 by Shadowball, commissioned by the Hackney Music Development Trust. He presented the popular 'Jazz Legends' on BBC Radio 3 from 2000 until 2007, after which he joined Jazz Lineup. In 2006, he was awarded the Parliamentary Jazz Award for 'Broadcaster of the Year'. He continues to lead his own trio and big band at venues and concert halls throughout the UK.

Find Out More

Official Website

Recommended Recordings

The Language of Truth (East West 1991)

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In Concert at Wigmore Hall (Spotlite 1978)

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Leslie 'Jiver' Hutchinson (1906-1959) was born in Kingston, Jamaica. At 18 years old he came to Britain for the first time, performing with the West Indies Regiment Band at the Empire Exhibition in London. He made a permanent move to the UK in 1935, joining Happy Blake and then Leslie Thompson's Emperors of Jazz. In 1936 Ken 'Snakehips' Johnson took over the band and Hutchinson stayed on until 1939, after which he formed the first of his own groups. During the 1940s, he played with many of the era's leading dance orchestras including those of Ambrose, Sid Phillips, Geraldo and Lew Stone. In 1952 he worked with US pianist Mary Lou Williams. For the rest of the 1950s, Hutchinson would play frequently with Geraldo, while also leading his own groups. Travelling with a band bus in 1959, he was tragically killed when the vehicle crashed. His daughter, Elaine Delmar, has become of the country's most popular jazz singers.

Recommended Recordings

Black British Swing (Topic 2004)

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Andrea Vicari was born in Miami, but moved to Birmingham with her family at a young age. Educated at Cardiff University and the Guildhall School of Music, London. Once in London, she joined Dill Katz's band which also featured a young Phil Robson on guitar. She also played with Kathy Stobart's all women band 'Birds'. An Arts Council commission led to the 'Suburban Gorillas' tour and CD which showcased her compositions with an 11 piece jazz group. Shortly after this she recorded her quintet featuring Mornington Lockett and Phil Robson. The result 'Lunar Spell' and her 2004 trio album 'Tryptych' were well received critically. Recent bands have featured the cream of British jazz including Seb Rochford, Ingrid Laubrock, Steve Waterman and Pete Wareham. Vicari is widely respected as an educator and is currently a senior lecturer at Trinity College of Music.

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Official Website

Recommended Recordings

Suburban Gorillas (33 Records 1994)

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Over the last two decades Nikki Iles (born 1963) has established herself as one of the UK's finest composers and pianists. She is a well respected jazz educator, twice nominated for the Parliamentary Jazz Education Award. She currently teaches at the Royal Academy, Guildhall and Trinity as well as Middlesex University. Iles herself was a graduate of Leeds College of Music and while in Yorkshire she became a favourite accompanist at the Wakefield Jazz club for jazz luminaries, such as Dick Morrisey, Jim Mullen, Pete King, Iain Ballamy, Scott Hamilton, Art farmer and Teddy Edwards among others. She has recorded with her own trio featuring Canadians Duncan Hopkins and Anthony Michelli, and with Kenny Wheeler, Stan Sulzmann, Tony Coe and Tina May. She co-leads the Printmakers, a stellar UK jazz group featuring Mike Walker, Norma Winstone, Steve Watts, Mark Lockheart and James Maddren. This band received a Parliamentary Jazz Award nomination for Best Band in 2010. A 2012 project 'Hush' sees her joined by US jazz greats Rufus Reid and Jeff Williams.

Find Out More

Official Website

Recommended Recordings

With Tina May

Everything I Love (Basho 2004)

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Change of Sky (33 Records 1998)

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The Rural Touring Support Scheme for 2013 opens on Monday 24th June and closes at midnight on Sunday 21st July.  Application forms are available to download below.

The JSL Rural Touring Support Scheme offers funding to bands and artists wishing to tour in rural areas of the UK, and is designed to promote musicians and bands of merit not readily promoted by the commercial sector and other agencies, as well as maximising attendance at these events and reflecting Jazz Services' equal opportunities policy. The scheme is mainly geared to small groups and covers the full range of jazz music, idioms and styles. Jazz Services is working in partnership with the National Rural Touring Forum.

The National Rural Touring Forum exists to work strategically with partners to develop work and deliver high quality art experiences that strengthen rural and other communities.

The rural touring network supports 2,600 rural communities to promote over 3,500 professional arts performances for a combined audience of 270,000.

National research shows that rural touring reaches many people who do not otherwise see the arts, that it makes a valuable contribution to community life, and that it provides new work and creative development for artists.

The UK approach to rural touring shows what the independent arts sector, public authorities and communities can achieve by working together - it is a model of good practice and value for money in the contemporary arts world.

How The Scheme Works

Successful applicants from this scheme will be submitted to the National Rural Touring Forum's database of rural promoters, who will then be able to arrange tours in their area directly with the bands.

If a band is chosen, the promoters will book the tour dates in their region on behalf of the band.  As part of the application process, bands/artists are asked to submit a rough budget based around a prospective 10-date tour, in order to give the Jazz Services Touring Panel an idea of the approximate cost.

Because the tour could take place anywhere in England depending on where the promoter who chooses the band is based, the cost of touring the band can vary, and the budget asked for in the application process is merely a speculation on the likely cost of taking a band out on the road.

All costs, particularly transport costs, should be estimated to reflect this and no exact figures are expected or required.  The eventual fees and expenses for the tour will be met by the promoters and Jazz Services.

TO APPLY, PLEASE DOWNLOAD AND COMPLETE THE FORMS AVAILABLE BELOW.

* Please note: music submitted to Jazz Services Ltd as part of an application will be distributed to the various selection and judging panels via a secure and private Soundcloud link.  By submitting your music as part of your application, you are giving Jazz Services Ltd permission to share your music in this way and confirming that you have all legal rights and permissions necessary to upload, publish and share this material on SoundCloud.

2012 PARLIAMENTARY JAZZ AWARDS NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED

London – 23 March 2012 - The nominations have today been announced for the 2012 Parliamentary Jazz Awards, now Britain’s premier awards for the Jazz loving public and Jazz fans in both Houses.  Paul Gambaccini returns to host the ceremony, now in its eighth year, which is organised by the All Party Parliamentary Jazz Appreciation Group (APPJAG).  This year, back by popular demand, we have a special guest performance by James Pearson and The Ronnie Scott’s All Stars.

The awards are sponsored by music licensing company PPL and Jazz Services and feature nine categories, Jazz Musician of the Year, Jazz Album of the Year, Jazz Ensemble of the Year, Live Jazz Award, Jazz Journalist of the Year, Jazz Broadcaster of the Year, Jazz Publication of the Year, Jazz Education Award, and the Services to Jazz Award.

The winners will be announced at the awards which will take place at the House of Commons, Terrace Pavilion on 16th May.

A record 1,864 members of the public sent online entries for the Awards via the Jazz Services website.  The shortlist was then voted upon by the Selection Panel who represent a broad cross-section of backgrounds united in their endeavour for their love and knowledge of jazz.  The winners are chosen by judging members of the All Party Parliamentary Jazz Appreciation Group in Parliament.

JUDGING PROCESS

First Stage - Entry Forms

Entry forms are available on-line at Jazz Services UK and is open to anyone to nominate in each category.Entry forms are limited to one person one vote.

Second Stage - Nominations

Each year a selection panel is chosen by Jazz Services of 20 individuals, each member with their own particular area of expertise. The panel represents a broad cross-section of backgrounds united in their endeavor for their knowledge of jazz. From all the entries received the Selection Panel meets up and selects 3-5 nominees for each category for the consideration of over 100 jazz loving members of the Houses of Parliament who are members of the All Party Parliamentary Jazz Appreciation Group (APPJAG).

Final Stage - Winners

The Voting Academy choose the eventual winners in each category from the Nominees chosen by the jazz selection panel. The Voting Academy is made up of the membership of the All Party Parliamentary Jazz Appreciation Group (APPJAG) chaired by Michael Connarty MP. The winners are announced at the annual Parliamentary Jazz Awards held at the House of Commons.

The full list of nominees is:

Jazz Musician of the Year

Bobby Wellins Bobby Wellins clips

Jim Mullen

Shabaka Hutchings

Jazz Album of the Year

Liane Carroll ‘Up and Down’

McCormack & Yarde Duo ‘Places Other Spaces’

Phil Robson ‘The Immeasurable Code’

The Impossible Gentlemen ‘The Impossible Gentlemen’

Jazz Ensemble of the Year

Beats & Pieces Big Band

Kate Williams Septet

Scottish National Jazz Orchestra

Live Jazz Award

Jazzlines, Birmingham

Scarborough Jazz Festival

The Spin, Oxford

Jazz Journalist of the Year

Jon Newey

Rob Adams

Stephen Graham

Jazz Broadcaster of the Year

Jamie Cullum

Kevin LeGendre

Mike Chadwick

Jazz Publication of the Year

Jazz UK

London Jazz

Jazz Education Award

Abram Wilson

Gary Crosby OBE

Paula Gardiner

Pete Churchill

Services to Jazz Award

Bill Kyle

John Cumming

Mike Westbrook

“We at PPL are delighted to continue our long standing relationship with APPJAG and to be the main sponsor of these Awards.   I would like to extend my personal thanks and appreciation to Michael Connarty MP and to Lord Colwyn for doing such a fantastic job in co-chairing and running APPJAG.    I would also like to thank all the judges for their time and Paul Gambaccini for being such a unique and virtuoso host of the event,” said Fran Nevrkla, Chairman, PPL.  “These Jazz Awards remain a special night for Parliament, the jazz community and award recipients as well as for PPL and the music industry generally.”

Michael Connarty MP, Co-Chair of APPJAG, said, “These shortlists show the fantastic strength of British jazz at the moment and it will be a difficult job for MPs and Peers to choose the winners.”

The APPJAG currently has 100 members from the House of Commons and House of Lords across all political parties.  Their aim is to encourage wider and deeper enjoyment of jazz, to increase Parliamentarians’ understanding of the jazz industry and issues surrounding it, to promote jazz as a musical form and to raise its profile inside and outside Parliament.  The Group’s officers are Co-Chairs Michael Connarty MP and Lord Colwyn, Baroness Coussins and Treasurer Kelvin Hopkins MP.

For further information please contact:

Jonathan Morrish, PPL 020 7534 1245 email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Clare Goldie, PPL 0207 534 1121 email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Editors’ notes:

Jazz Services

Jazz Services provides a voice and support for UK Jazz; promoting its growth, accessibility and development in the UK and abroad. Services include advice, advocacy, communications, education, information, marketing, publishing, research and touring. Jazz Services is recognised as a committed campaigner providing a valued voice for jazz in the UK. Jazz Services publishes Jazz UK, a listings magazine with a print run of 30,000 that is distributed by subscription and free through venues, colleges, libraries and shops.

Jazz Services works closely with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra (NYJO), which is an autonomous body that receives its Arts Council England funding through Jazz Services. NYJO also receives funds from private donors, Youth Music and the Musicians’ Benevolent Fund. Every year NYJO organizes over 100 open workshops for jazz musicians up to the age of 25 and more than 40 concerts.  Jazz Services gratefully acknowledges the support of Arts Council England the Performing Right Society and PPL.

PPL

Formed in 1934, PPL is the music licensing company which, on behalf of 50,000 performers and 6,500 record companies, licenses the use of recorded music in the UK. This enables TV and radio stations, online streaming services and hundreds of thousands of shops, pubs and others using music in their business to obtain a licence comprising millions of recordings.

In addition, the company collects international performance rights income for 80% of its members and this revenue stream is currently the fastest growing area of the company. PPL now has representation in 28 different countries around the world, which has resulted in 52 separate contracts with similar organisations, representing a further 2,000 overseas record companies and 24,500 performers for the collection of income generated by their respective rights in the UK.

PPL’s role and remit increases year on year. The company receives details electronically on a weekly basis for an average of 6,500 new recordings. Once this data has been fed into PPL’s databases, it is then passed on to PRS for Music for it to administer the relevant copying rights on behalf of the songwriters, composers and publishers. PPL also provides that data to the BPI and IFPI (International Federation of Phonographic Industry) to assist with their anti-piracy activities. PPL also uniquely provides the music usage data for the highly successful series 'The People’s Chart' which is broadcast on Radio 2.

For further information please visit ppluk.com

Music Education Council www.mec.org.uk

The Music Education Council draws its membership from across the entire music education and music industry sectors. This gives it a uniquely big picture of music education and is why MEC is the umbrella body for all UK organisations connected with music education.  It exists to bring together and provide a forum for member organisations to debate issues affecting music education and to make representation and promote appropriate action at local, national and international level.

National Music Council www.nationalmusiccouncil.org.uk

The National Music Council sits at the centre of a complex network of national music organisations, and is a key organisation that exists to promote the interests of the music sector as a whole. Membership is drawn from all areas of the music sector and is open to all organisations with an interest in music and its development in the UK: professional, voluntary and amateur; subsidised and commercial; creative and educational. The strength of the Council lies in the number and diversity of its members. The National Music Council seeks to celebrate and promote the value and enjoyment of music, which contributes, in all its forms, to the cultural, spiritual, educational, social and economic well-being of the United Kingdom.  Its work is driven by the three key aims and a recognition of the vital inter-relationships that exist between different industry sub-sectors and genres.  Jazz Services Director Chris Hodgkins is an elected member of the NMC.

Association of British Jazz Musicians www.abjm.org.uk

The ABJM represents the interests of jazz musicians in the UK.  The ABJM has spearheaded several campaigns and instigated a variety of initiatives relevant to the needs of the profession. Through their “Is Radio Fair to Jazz?” campaign they have seen an increase in jazz content both on BBC and commercial stations. Their“Jazz Can’t Survive on Crumbs” campaign drew nationwide attention to the low level of funding provided by the Arts Council – 8.5 pence per jazz enthusiast compared to £7.95 pence for opera lovers.  They also liaise regularly with the Musicians’ Union to discuss issues relating to jazz musicians, and seek ways to expand the opportunities for the performance and advancement of jazz music in Great Britain.

Europe Jazz Network www.europejazz.net

Europe Jazz Network (EJN) is a Europe-wide association of producers, presenters and supporting organisations who specialise in creative music, contemporary jazz and improvised music created from a distinctly European perspective.The membership includes 81 organisations (Festivals, clubs and concert venues, independent promoters, national organisations) in 25 countries. EJN exists to support the identity and diversity of jazz in Europe and broaden awareness of this vital area of music as a cultural and educational force. EJN's mission is to encourage, promote and support the development of the creative improvised musics of the European scene and to create opportunities for artists, organisers and audiences from the different countries to meet and communicate.  EJN believes that creative music contributes to social and emotional growth and economic prosperity. It is an invaluable channel for the process of inter-cultural dialogue, communication and collaboration. And music is a positive force for harmony and understanding between people from the diversity of cultures inherent in the European family.

International Association of Schools of Jazz (IASJ) www.iasj.com

The IASJ is the only world wide network promoting jazz and jazz education. The main activity is the annual IASJ Jazz Meeting taking place in a different country every year. The IASJ Jazz Meeting is a starting point for students, teachers and representatives of schools of jazz to play, exchange ideas and to network. The future of jazz is connected to the future of jazz education and the IASJ is the link.Through these and all other kinds of connections members benefit from the IASJ in many respects. Being a member of the IASJ enables students, teachers and staff to broaden their horizons through contact with colleagues from all over the world. The first IASJ Jazz Meeting took place in The Hague, The Netherlands in 1989. Ever since, jazz schools that play a major role in jazz and jazz education in Europe and the USA hosted the IASJ Jazz Meeting. In the years to come IASJ Jazz Meetings are planned in Austria, Denmark, South Africa, the USA, as well as in various top level jazz schools in Europe.

Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM) www.ism.org

The Incorporated Society of Musicians is the UK’s professional body for musicians. They champion the importance of music and protect the rights of those working within music through a range of services, campaigns, support and practical advice. The ISM offer peace of mind with their high quality legal expertise, casework and comprehensive insurance and are proud of the assistance they have given their members since 1882.  They are a wholly independent non profit-making organisation. Without political interference or financial imperatives they express robust and authoritative views which champion both music and professional musicians. The ISM's members come from all branches of the profession – performers and composers working in a variety of different disciplines and genres; private, peripatetic and classroom music teachers; academics, advisers, music managers, music technology professionals, music therapists, and music administrators.

Scottish Jazz Federation www.scottishjazzfederation.com

The Scottish Jazz Federation aims to provide a one-stop site for information on Scottish jazz musicians, venues, gigs, promoters, educators and much more. Their web site links with the Jazz Services website. It was set up in 2005 to represent the needs of the jazz community in Scotland. They have financial assistance from Creative Scotland. Its aims are to work towards developing jazz in Scotland: specifically, to benefit the public by increasing the availability of high quality jazz music and education in Scotland and the level of participation as players, learners and listeners.  It also represents the interests of Scottish jazz: the SJF aims to become the recognised representative body for Scottish jazz artists, educators and promoters; able to lobby policy-makers, co-ordinate action and deliver definitive research.

Jazzwise magazine www.jazzwisemagazine.com

Jazzwise is the UK's biggest selling jazz monthly and the leading English language jazz magazine in Europe. With an editorial and design package that reaches out to both the new jazz audience and established fans, it has won Jazz Publication of the Year at both the Parliamentary Jazz Awards and the Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Awards. Jazz Services and Jazzwise teamed up in 2012 to provide a consolidated listings guide to live jazz across the whole of the UK in print (via Jazzwise magazine), online (via the Jazzwise and Jazz Services websites, and through the Jazz Services/JazzUK-produced digital listings guide Gigs) and on mobile devices (via the Jazzwise app).

Images of Jazz www.imagesofjazz.com

Brian O'Connor is a long-established jazz photographer who has very kindly allowed Jazz Services to make use of his extensive library of work from over the course of his career.  His work can be seen via his own webiste, and we hope to soon have a section of our website dedicated to showcasing his images for the enjoyment of our users.

Musicians' Union www.musiciansunion.org.uk

The MU Jazz Section is open to any member who has an interest in the area of work the Section covers. The Specialist Sections are made up of members who work in specific genres of music and/or areas of the profession. These Sections exist so that the EC can keep abreast of issues that could potentially have an effect on work opportunities. Each Specialist Section has a democratically elected Committee that meets from time to time, in order to discuss stakeholder issues.

All Party Parliamentary Jazz Appreciation Group (APPJAG) http://www.sandybrownjazz.co.uk/forumappjag.html

The All Party Parliamentary Jazz Appreciation Group (APPJAG) was set up by interested Members of Parliament in the UK to promote the use and enjoyment of jazz as a music form. The Group has over one hundred members from both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, and is jointly chaired by Michael Connarty, MP for Linlithgow and Falkirk East and Lord Tony Colwyn, himself a very fine trumpeter and band leader. Administrative services are provided by Jazz Services.  Michael Connarty recalls: 'The great innovation that started with APPJAG was the introduction of 'live' jazz music in the House of Commons. This started with 'Jazz In The House' which after six years is still held each November in co-operation with Serious and Radio 3 to celebrate the London Jazz Festival. It brings together those working in the industry as promoters and artists and jazz-supporting MPs and Lords, to talk about the ongoing state of the jazz scene, and has live music in the Terrace Pavilion of the House of Commons'.  APPJAG has teamed up with Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL), the body responsible for collecting royalties for the playing of auditory recordings, and who sponsor three other events with live music in the commons each year.

Phonographic Performance Limited www.ppluk.com

PPL licenses recorded music played in public or broadcast on the radio or TV and then distributes the fees to its tens of thousands of performer and record company members. PPL does not retain a profit for its services and its members range from session musicians and emerging artists to major record labels and globally successful performers. PPL is also able to collect royalties for its members globally.

ESIP esip.co.uk.lilac.arvixe.com

ESIP produces international events, concerts and festivals offering the highest standard in event and production management and programming. A broad range of services is available including financial management, marketing and public relations. In 2007 they extended their production services to include recording and film projects with worldwide distribution through Global Mix Media. ESIP are a team of passionate professionals with the expertise, talent and experience to conceptualise and co-ordinate any event or project to meet your objectives. Their highly respected reputation is based on delivery and an impressive network of contacts built up over more than three decades. They pride ourselves on repeat business and believe that this endorsement from their long-standing clients speaks for itself.

Yamaha Education www.yamahamusiceducation.co.uk

Yamaha Music Europe GmbH (UK)'s vision for music education is simply:

- To help engage more people in music making

- To help make it a life-enhancing or a life-changing experience for all concerned

To help them work towards this they are engaged in a broad range of educational projects, activities and associations, in the UK and the Republic of Ireland. Yamaha Music School has a global reputation for high quality music tuition and has pioneered effective group instrumental teaching and learning since 1954.In the UK and Ireland they also work with conservatoires, universities, colleges, local music services and schools. They partner some wonderful music organisations, education bodies and professional musicians, in genres ranging from jazz, classical, rock and world music. They love working with amateurs and professionals, adults and young people.

Yamaha runs the Yamaha Jazz Experience Competition: the closing date for this year's entries has now passed (24 February 2012).

Jazz Services YouTube Channel

Jazz Services YouTube Channel Jazz Services' British Jazz channel celebrates jazz from the UK collating classic YouTube videos from Tubby Hayes, Humphrey Lyttelton, Kenny Wheeler, Jamie Cullum, Evan Parker, Stan Tracey, Cleo Laine, Joe Harriott and many more British jazz greats.