Jazz Unites the House as Yamaha Honour 2010 Jazz Scholars

On the 14th July, Yamaha’s 2010 Jazz Scholars were presented with their award at the annual ‘Summer Jazz in Portcullis House’ that takes place in the House of Commons.

Continuing the hugely successful partnership between Yamaha, Jazzwise, PPL and the All Party Parliamentary Jazz Appreciation Group (APPJAG) this year’s event celebrated the fourth year of the prestigious Yamaha Jazz Scholarship Awards. Six winners representing the cream of young British jazz talent put in an exceptional performance, after being nominated for special consideration by the Heads of Jazz at six of the UK’s leading conservatoires.

Award winning Jazz FM presenter Helen Mayhew, presented the scholarships to Andrew Linham, an alto saxophonist studying at Leeds College of Music; drummer David Hamblett, a student at the Royal Academy of Music; pianists Dougie Freeman, studying at Guildhall School of Music & Drama and Chris Gilligan from the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama; Peter Randall who studies Double Bass at Trinity College of Music and Lluis Mather who studies tenor saxophone at Birmingham Conservatoire.

All six scholarship winners each received £1000 to help set themselves up as they embark on their new musical careers. More importantly the unique platform of a performance at the Palace of Westminster provided the opportunity to showcase their talent not only to Members of Parliament from both Houses, but also prominent invitees from the jazz community, including press, venue operators and record company executives.

In addition to the £1000 scholarship, all six Scholarship Award winners will have the opportunity to feature alongside some of Yamaha’s most highly respected and established jazz artists on ‘The Yamaha New Jazz Sessions 2010’ promotional CD, sponsored by Yamaha Music UK. The CD will be cover-mounted on Jazzwise magazine’s Christmas and New Year double issue, and gives the scholars the opportunity to perform live at the CD launch at Chelsea’s internationally renowned ‘606’ Jazz Club.

The annual scheme jointly sponsored by Yamaha Music UK Ltd in association with Jazzwise & PPL is designed to support young emerging jazz musicians by providing valuable funding and important marketing support through performance and recording opportunities.

Yamaha’s Senior Director Mike Ketley commented, “These innovative scholarships have further extended our relationship with Jazzwise, PPL and the All Party Parliamentary Jazz Appreciation group. We are committed to the promotion of Jazz performance and these scholarships complement our many other music education and student support initiatives. What better way to support the studies and showcase the talent of the UK’s finest upcoming young Jazz musicians than through financial assistance, live performance and the recording opportunity that features them alongside major artists in the jazz world on the cover of the UK’s biggest selling jazz magazine.”

PPL Director of Government Relations Dominic McGonigal stated, “Once again we heard the extraordinary talent of the young musicians now entering the profession and joining what is such a rich musical scene. We have had a long association with the All Party Parliamentary Jazz Appreciation Group as their main sponsor and they have done a great job in bringing politicians face to face with the music. We are pleased now to be working with Yamaha to encourage and support young artists as they launch their careers and create the music of the future."