Jazz is worth over £80 million to the British economy according to a new survey, carried out by the University of Westminster for Jazz Services Ltd. There is an encouraging expansion of jazz interest in the 15 - 34 age range and a rise in the number of women active in jazz. Yet most British jazz musicians earn a wage below the national average. In Jazz Services' second 'Value of Jazz in Britain' report, authors Mykaell Riley and Dave Laing found that jazz contributes to economic, educational and cultural life at all levels from small pubs, clubs and local arts festivals to high profile performances at the nation's most prestigious concert venues.
December 2010