One of the driving forces creating such a vibrant, varied, evolving UK jazz scene has been the formation of musicians into collectives. Yes there is idealism, there can also be naivety, and politics. But don’t knock this phenomenon which has led to an explosion of high quality music, and a unique context in which artists can develop.

On Saturday week here at Kings Place , F-Ire Collective , at the forefront of this phenomenon for fifteen years, is organizing a short conference bringing together a number of collectives. They also people with an interest in the phenomenon. Attendance for students and educators is free. “Commercial organisations are also invited but will need to pay a £25 fee for the day.” I would hope a few representatives of funding bodies turn up – because there are models here for other sectors which have been more successful at playing the funding game. And achieved far less. I’m feeling crabby, and have, for example, a particular taxpayer-funded glitzy party venue and a superfluous mini duplicate Arts Council in mind.

(NB Kings Place is also hosting Django Bates’ 50th Birthday Gala in the evening)

The organizers of the day are Barak Schmool and Peter Slavid of F-Ire

For more info contact F-Ire’s administrator by email at: office@f-ire.com

Here’s a hastily assembled list of links to collectives (Smoke-based unless otherwise indicated) – please add to it:

F-IRE

Loop

Way Out West

LIMA (Leeds)

Cobweb ( Birmingham)

Note: London’s F-Ire Collective has no connection with this Fire Collective