Yorkshire jazz body to launch
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
Thursday sees the launch in York of a new body called Jazz Yorkshire, an Arts Council backed agency that aims 'to provide musicians, promoters and venues with a one-stop-shop for jazz in the region'.
Award winning pianist Matthew Bourne is to perform at the event. Andy
Carver of Arts Council England will give a keynote address at the event
followed by a presentation by the Jazz Yorkshire board.
There have been some fears locally that the new body does not recognise the grassroots work of promoters and a solution is being imposed from outside by arts professionals. Robert Gibson, chair of Jazz Yorkshire says: 'The consultation forums raised some key issues facing jazz in the region and discussion on how we could best address them. We recognise that funding is a priority for the development of a thriving scene, and although our JazzYorkshire budgets are very limited indeed, we aim to create partnerships with other funding agencies to increase the income base of promoters, venues and musicians effectively.'
There have been some fears locally that the new body does not recognise the grassroots work of promoters and a solution is being imposed from outside by arts professionals. Robert Gibson, chair of Jazz Yorkshire says: 'The consultation forums raised some key issues facing jazz in the region and discussion on how we could best address them. We recognise that funding is a priority for the development of a thriving scene, and although our JazzYorkshire budgets are very limited indeed, we aim to create partnerships with other funding agencies to increase the income base of promoters, venues and musicians effectively.'