Jazz Services issued the following press Release: (Also this one re Christine Allen.)
After 29 years at the helm, Chris Hodgkins has taken the
decision to retire and step down as Director of Jazz Services Ltd.
Throughout his tenure at the head of the organisation, Chris
has been instrumental in the development of Jazz Services as
a resource for the music, championing its cause and offering his advice to
anyone who required it. Among his many successes, he helped to establish
the National Touring Support Scheme with Debbie Dickenson, which has enabled
the careers of hundreds of artists over the years, along with the
organisation’s Rural Touring Support Scheme (with the National Rural Touring
Forum), the Jazz Promoters
Award (with the PRS for Music Foundation) and the Online Music Business
Resource, which offers free career advice to anyone who needs it.
“Chris has been a truly wonderful person to work with. I have been
helped on numerous occasions, for a variety of different projects that have
toured and recorded. They simply would not have happened without the help
and guidance of Chris, and his brilliant leadership of Jazz Services. It is a vital service UK” – Robert Mitchell,
pianist and composer.
Chris also helped
to set up the annual Parliamentary Jazz Awards
to recognise jazz talent
and ensured the Arts Council’s continued support of Jazz Services. His
influence and guidance have been crucial to the careers of many of the UK
“As director of Jazz Services, Chris Hodgkins ran a truly neutral
organisation supporting jazz musicians equally across all styles,
focussing on talent and integrity. He always made himself personally
available when advice was needed and I benefited from his guidance and
enthusiasm through good times and tough times. He encouraged me to
develop my writing and as a musician himself, was able to offer valuable
insight and ideas. The Jazz Services UK jazz community. We're grateful but we
will miss him very much.” – Christine Tobin, vocalist and composer.
Chris’ departure comes at an appropriate time for Jazz Services, which is eagerly
anticipating a renewed period of development having recently submitted its
funding bid to the Arts Council. It’s also timely for Chris himself, who
looks forward to pursuing the interests that have so far remained largely
incompatible with his directorial responsibilities - including spending more
time playing the music to which he has devoted his working life!
As Chris himself says, “It’s extremely
satisfying to be able to look back on my time at Jazz Services with pride; not so much for myself, but
for the work the whole organisation has done for the jazz scene and for the artists and promoters
who have come through its schemes over the years. To have been so
involved in the scene and in the careers of the many fantastic players and
volunteer promoters who have used Jazz Services is quite humbling, and I something will
always cherish. I wish to thank all the trustees at Jazz Services and everyone I’ve worked with over the
years for their contribution.”
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