AN OUTSTANDING band of young musicians
is being given the chance to make its name, thanks to a pioneering initiative
by Jazz North, the organisation devoted to nurturing and showcasing talent.
Jam Experiment, comprising five
musicians from Manchester
The band was selected from a wide range
of applications for the scheme after impressing a panel of festival directors,
educators, musicians and Jazz North staff with its talent and enthusiasm.
Now it will perform at the Lancaster
Jazz Festival, Marsden Jazz Festival, Southport Melodic Jazz Club and Liverpool
Jazz Festival.
Jam Experiment is made up of bandleader
and BBC Young Jazz Musician of Year 2014 Rory Ingham, 17, who plays trombone,
saxophonist Alex Bone, 17, pianist Toby Comeau, 17, bassist Felix Moseholm, 16,
and drummer Jonathan Mansfield, 18.
The band describes its approach as
“energetic, connected, creative, swingin', humorous, enthusiastic”. It
came together after a weekly jam, and the players’ ambitions are to play
exciting original compositions and arrangements, make a strong impression and search
for something that is musically new.
Among its
inspirations and influences are guitar titan Pat Metheny, keyboard legend
Herbie Hancock, bassist Christian McBride and pianist Gwilym Simcock.
Jam Experiment
receives a package of help as part of the Jazz North Introduces scheme,
including payment and expenses for the gigs, a photo-shoot, video showreel
created from interviews and performances and assistance in creating and
electronic press kit.
Applications
for Jazz North Introduces demonstrated the wealth of young
talent in the north.
The youngest was
Take Four and a Half, a Bradford quintet that
was highly commended by the panel for its ambition and enthusiasm. In
recognition, the band has been offered three days’ mentoring by leading
saxophonist Iain Dixon.
Jazz North
Introduces builds on the mjf (Manchester
A pilot version
was run earlier this year with Leeds band The
Stretch Trio being selected for a showcase at Gateshead International Jazz
Festival. The initiative was open to bands of up to five musicians, 75 per cent
of whom – plus the nominated leader – must be under 25, and living or studying
in the north of England
The panel that
selected Jam Experiment prioritized musical excellence, in terms of
musicianship, creativity, innovation and potential. A shortlist was drawn up
and assessed by an advisory panel consisting of experienced musicians,
promoters, educators and Jazz North staff.
Jo McCallum, who co-ordinated Jazz
North Introduces, said: “Working in partnership with promoters, the Jazz
North Introduces scheme is providing young bands with their first high
profile performances at leading northern jazz festivals. It is a fantastic
opportunity for these young musicians to perform throughout the region and a
fantastic opportunity for jazz audiences to have their first glimpse of the
great talent that is emerging here in the north.”
Jazz North’s partners in the initiative
were Marsden Jazz Festival, Southport Melodic Jazz Club, Lancaster Jazz
Festival, Liverpool Jazz Festival, Chethams School of Music, Leeds College of
Music, Gateshead International Jazz Festival and Scarborough Jazz Festival.
The Jam Experiment will play the
following festivals:
Friday 19th September 10.15pm -
Lancaster Jazz Festival www.lancasterjazz.com
Saturday 11th October 12pm - Marsden
Jazz Festival www.
Friday 6th February afternoon -
Southport Melodic Jazz Club - Jazz on a Winter's Weekend
Sunday 1st March 1pm - Liverpool
Jazz Festival
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