Jazz breaking news: Jazz FM Launches New International Jazz Awards
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Jazz FM, the national DAB jazz radio station, has announced the Jazz FM Awards, which will take place in central London on the evening of 31 January 2013.
Jazz FM has said the awards, which will be sponsored by Klipsch the leading US-based audio technology company, will celebrate the work of jazz musicians, composers and contributors from across the globe, and will recognise and commend those who have made exceptional contributions to the jazz industry during the preceding 12 months. They also add that there will be particular emphasis on highlighting new, upcoming talent and nurturing the next generation of artists. In addition, the Jazz FM Awards will recognise legends of the genre with a Lifetime Achievement Award. The judging panel will bring together of some of the most senior figures from the world of jazz, who will unveil the winners at the inaugural awards ceremony.
Richard Wheatly, chief executive of Jazz FM said: "We are delighted to be announcing the Jazz FM Awards, and are thrilled that Klipsch will be sponsoring the event. The awards will celebrate everything that is great about jazz - past, present and future – is something we are hugely positive about. This annual event will help bring the music to a new audience and will create a focal point for the jazz community."
Jazz FM report that the new awards have already received widespread support from both inside the jazz community and from farther afield, particularly since the BBC discontinued their annual awards in 2008. These new public-facing awards should compliment the Parliamentary Jazz Awards, with both events being key highlights in the yearly jazz calendar, creating additional coverage for the music.
– Mike Flynn