What else is getting cancelled?

By ljazzn on 22 February 2009 • ( Leave a comment )

The BBC Jazz Awards ….. the empty stage(?)

After the on-off saga of Brecon, time to look at what else might be off….or possibly on.

1) The Jazzwise Summer School

“Jazzwise Summer School, now in it’s 24th year, caters for all levels from aspiring amateurs to educators and professionals. Since 1984 over 1,500 musicians have attended including those who’ve now become major names on the UK scene such as Theo Travis, Liam Noble, Mark and Michael Mondesir, Byron Wallen and Paul Clarvis.

Please note – the Summer School is NOT running in 2009. Enquiries are welcome for 2010 when we hope to resume the course”

Comment: It’s definitely off. (Source for the above is the Jazzwise website). Blame the recession, blame competition, but salute Charles Alexander and his team for the community- and infrastructure-build they’ve done in the last quarter century without the public purse getting involved.

2) The BBC Jazz Awards ?

Rumours are doing the rounds that the BBC Jazz Awards may not be happening this year.

Comment:

-I’m waiting for denial or confirmation. Three voicemails/messages so far taken by people in BBC Press Offices, starting Friday mid-afternoon.

-Marginalistion of jazz is a perrenial problem, and the BBC, and Radio 2 in particular have lost their most powerful jazz voice, Humphrey Lyttelton, in the past year.

-Jazz programming on free-to-air BBC radio is getting pushed into slots when less folk are awake. Claire Martin was talking at half past midnight last night as I was falling asleep…

Categories: Uncategorized