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15/6/06 06 BELL AWARDS WINNERS

17/06/2008 2008 APRA Music Awards

To follow is the complete list of winners for the 2008 APRA Music Awards.
2008 APRA Music Awards
Monday June 16th
Hilton Sydney
Blues and Roots Work of the Year
 Title:                   Good Excuse
Artist:                   The John Butler Trio
Writer:                  John Butler
Publisher:            Family Music Pty Ltd
 Jazz Work of the Year
 Title:                   Eucalypso                                                       
Artist:                   The Moovin’ and Groovin’ Orchestra
Writer:                  Kenneth Schroder

16/06/08 Music Board No Longer funds Music CD’s

It is to my amazement that I have discovered that the Music Board of
the Australia Council no longer funds the recording of Australian
composers and/or musicians on compact disc. Have the cultural
bureaucrats joined the world of Orwell's (possibly Huxley's) double
speak? If it wasn't so serious it would be laughable, here we have
the Music Board, the country's premier funding body for music and it
doesn't fund cd recordings of Australian music? Ludicrous and
farcical come to mind! Perhaps not 1984/Brave New World, more Monty
Python! Or to put it into musical terms perhaps Gilbert & Sullivan!
It seems the bureaucrats are more concerned with rushing into the new
technology rather than the music itself. Surely there are two major
ways to promote Australian music; one through performance, two,
through recordings. Live performance is obviously the best way to
hear music; again obviously, not everybody is able to enjoy that
performance. The second best way is to hear a recording. And we are
talking here of a high fidelity recording, not an on-line digital
recording, which is NOT a high fidelity recording. A recording is the
most convenient way to hear the extraordinary talented musicians and/
or composers we have in Australia and what a marvellous way to export
Australian music. It seems the Music Board has ignored the report on
the new technology, which they commissioned, which states, "(However
CDs remain a viable form for the delivery of music and the guidelines
should also acknowledge this)". Perhaps someone should let the Music
Board know about the growth in vinyl sales. It is the job of the
Australia Council to supports the arts, not to dictate the medium by
which it is delivered! Are we to see that painting with oils is no
longer funded! I may possibly be totally wrong here and if someone
would wish to enlighten me I really would appreciate it if they would.
Chris Hinkley, Tall Poppies 02 9552 4020

13/06/08 $20,000 needed for New Grand

We already have the great venue, the brilliant musicians and the dedicated audience. Now we need a new piano to do the best by all three! Come and hear a beautiful Yamaha grand piano played by some of our best talent on the keys…the acclaimed Mike Nock, Mark Isaacs, Judy Bailey and Chris Abrahams. The aim: To raise funds to help us replace our 35-year old Kawai for the piano you will hear tonight!  Join us for a fantastic, intimate night of piano music at it’s best. Prizes, giveaways, auction and raffle!
All tickets $50
Weds 30 July: SIMA Piano Fundraiser: Sydney’s best solo pianists – ONE NIGHT ONLY!
Sound Lounge – Seymour Centre cnr City Rd & Cleveland St Chippendale

27/5/08 MUSICIANS TO EXPLORE BASS DESIRES

Australia’s most prestigious jazz instrumental competition, the National Jazz Awards, will put the spotlight on Australia’s leading young jazz bassists this year.
The National Jazz Awards have been an integral part of Australia’s premier jazz festival, the Wangaratta Festival Of Jazz, since it began in 1990.  The Awards initially featured piano, before the format was revised to feature all other major instruments on a rotating basis.
This year will be the first time that bass has been featured since 2001, when the first prize
 was awarded to Brendan Clarke.  Bassists  - whether they prefer to play an electric bass guitar, or an upright acoustic or double bass  -  will have the chance to show what they can do as a soloist, and as a team player within the band.
Two leading bassists from Sydney, Craig Scott and Jonathan Zwartz, will join pianist Mike Nock as judges for the National Jazz Awards this year.
Since 1997, the National Jazz Awards have been proudly sponsored by Bruck Textiles, one of the major employers in Wangaratta’s local economy.  CEO, Mr Alan Williamson, said, "We are delighted that Bruck Textiles can demonstrate our ongoing commitment to the local community by ensuring that the National Jazz Awards continue to be staged as a unique feature of Wangaratta's internationally-renowned jazz festival."
The following prizes are offered for the National Jazz Awards:
•       The winner will receive $6000 plus a studio recording session for ABC Classic FM'
 s 'Jazztrack with Mal Stanley' plus an invitation to perform in the 2009 Stonnington Jazz Festival in Melbourne.
•       The runner-up will receive $3000.
•       There will be a third prize of $1500.
Entrants must be no older than 35, as at 1 November 2008. The closing date for entries is 30 June.
Mike Nock said, “I know there are some incredibly talented bass players out there, including some I’ve heard or even worked with in Sydney and Melbourne. I have no doubt there are others in other cities around Australia, too. So as always, I’m looking forward to the pleasure of hearing what they all can do.”
The judging panel will assess the recordings submitted on a blindfold basis.  The ten highest-ranked entrants will then be invited to participate in the finals at the 2008 Wangaratta Festival Of Jazz, on the weekend of 31 October - 3 November. At Wangaratta, they finalists will perform with pianist Sam Keevers and drummer Simon Barker. The finals, on Sunday 2 November, will be broa
 dcast live to air on ‘Jazztrack with Mal Stanley’, on ABC Classic FM.
Entry forms can be requested from 03-5722 1666 or 03-9898 6276 or can be downloaded from www.wangaratta-jazz.org.au

7/5/2008 Jazzgroove Records Seeks Label Manager

This is a call to all corners of the community. Jazzgroove Records is in need of a new label manager to guide it into the future.
Jazzgroove Records has grown in reputation immensely in it's few years of operation. 2008 will see the 45th title of original, genre defining (generally) Sydney Jazz influenced musicians released. Jazzgroove records is not a profit turning business but an important operation of the Jazzgroove Association, run for the benefit of it's members and to contribute to the future of the organisation.
The Label Manager must manage and liase between artists, distributors, customers, media and industry. The Label Manager co-ordinates releases and the distribution and branding of the label. The hours are flexible, but the wheels never stop turning. This is a rewarding but unpaid position, although there is an allowance for expenses and running costs.
Jazzgroove Records releases are being sold all over the world either electronically or physically or both. Our releases are regularly praised in Australian and sometimes OS media. More than any other label Jazzgroove represents the current sound of Sydney - 'where jazz meets everything else' - jazz influenced music and musicians.
Feel free to forward this email anyone who may be interested.
For more info please contact Lucian McGuiness jgr@jazzgroove.com, 0404070098

30/4/2008 Bell Award Winners

The winners of the 2008 Australian Jazz Awards - The Bells - were announced at ceremony in Melbourne last night.  The event was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's wife, Therese Rein.  The finalists in the various categories are listed below with the winners highlighted in bold.
The Renault Australian Jazz Artist of the Year:
Julien Wilson
Phil Slater
Scott Tinkler
The Gibson Best Australian Classic Jazz Album
Howler's Cotton Club – The Misty Downs Session
Sweet Lowdowns – Cuttin’ Capers
The Syncopators – In-Sync
The ABC Jazz Best Australian Contemporary Jazz Album:
Allan Browne Quintet - The Drunken Boat
Andrea Keller Quartet – Little Claps
Phil Slater – The Thousands
The Ubertas Best Australian Jazz Ensemble of the Year:
Allan Browne Quintet
Julien Wilson Trio
Phil Slater Quartet
The APRA Best Australian Jazz Composition of the Year:
Eugene Ball - The Fool Poets Portion
Phil Slater - The Thousands
Stephen Magnusson - 14 Little Creatures
The AICE Best Australian Jazz Vocal Album:
Elana Stone - Elana Stone
Megan Washington – Night Light
Sweet Lowdowns – Cuttin’ Capers
The TarraWarra Young Australian Jazz Artist of the Year:
Marc Hannaford
Mike Majkowski
Sam Anning
Graeme Bell Hall of Fame
Bernie McGann
Courtesy Jazz Australia

30/4/2008 What’s On at the Con?

Sensational Sundays, Conductors Series, Jazz in the Cafe, Free Jazz Concerts, Public Recitals, Master-classes...Now you can be part of the jazz audiences at the Con more easily than ever...read on! For the first time all the jazz that is performed at the Con is listed on one easy to read, easy to browse web calendar that is updated constantly. It has links to the Con website, and links to ticket bookings, and all the information about how to join us for great jazz concerts featuring the jazz stars of today and tomorrow. All you need to do is visit the following link: http://ical.mac.com/craigymusic/SydConJazz Once you click on the link you will be able to see all the jazz events at the Con in an easy to read web calendar that will open in your favorite browser on Mac or PC. Updated every day, you will be on top of what’s on at the Con all the time.

29/4/2008 2008 Jazz Workshops for Young Women

A unique course aimed at young women aged 14-25 years, interested in a professional career in jazz and improvised music is now available.  Closing date for applications is Friday 6th June with auditions being held on Saturday 29th June 2008.  Apply online at www.sima.org.au/womens-jazz-workshops.  Enquiries, please contact Gordana Raketic on 9036 6292 or email info@sima.org.au Courtesy JAS NSW

27/3/2008Australia’s top music prize for jazz legend


The nation’s most valuable individual music prize - the Australia Council for the Arts Don Banks Music Award 2008 - goes to Australian jazz icon Bob Sedergreen.
Australia Council music board chair Dr Graeme Koehne will presented the $60,000 award in Melbourne on Thursday night the 27th March at an event celebrating Bob Sedergreen’s outstanding contribution to Australian music.
‘Bob has made an inestimable contribution to Australia’s musical and cultural identity over the course of his extensive career. A highly gifted pianist and composer and an inspiring educator and mentor, he has helped create the distinctive voice that is Australian jazz music,’ says Dr Koehne.
‘His impact and influence in performance, composition and education have secured his status as a national treasure. The Don Banks Music Award 2008 is recognition of this important contribution.’
Bob says: ‘I am deeply honoured to receive the Don Banks Award and to join such a distinguished alumni of award recipients, all of whom have had such a profound impact on Australian music.’
Bob is regarded widely as one Australia’s leading jazz performers and educators. He has supported some of the world’s biggest names including Jimmy Witherspoon, Nat Adderley, Dizzy Gillespie, Milt Jackson, and worked with leading Australian artists such as John Sangster, Don Burrows, Brian Brown and Judy Jacques.
Bob has worked with a variety of ensembles and groups, from the traditional to the contemporary. He has recorded more than 20 albums and toured extensively in Australia and overseas including Montreal, Malaysia and Europe. In 1990, Bob won the inaugural Jazz Award for Australia's best keyboardist. In 06, the Victorian Arts Centre awarded him The Kenneth Myers Medallion for contributions to the arts. He was the first musician to receive this award.
As an educator, Bob has lectured in the Jazz components at the Victorian College of the Arts and the University of Melbourne's Faculty of Music. He has also been an artist-in-residence throughout the majority of secondary schools in rural and metropolitan areas of Victoria.   
The Don Banks Music Award is one of the highest accolades in Australian music. It is awarded annually to a distinguished artist who has made an outstanding and sustained contribution to the artform.
Past award recipients include composer Richard Meale AO MBE, music educator John Curro AM MBE, composer Peter Sculthorpe AO OBE, singer/songwriter Bunna Lawrie, jazz musician Bernie McGann and conductor Richard Gill OAM.

18/3/2008 2008 – The year of the Short Story

In its fourth year, the National Jazz Writing Competition this year focuses on the Short Story. Entries are now invited for the competition, which has a 1st prize of $750 and publication in the first issue of extempore, Australia’s new journal of arts and writing, due for release in November this year.  2nd and 3rd prize winners will receive CD packs from Birdland Records in Sydney and publication in extempore.
The National Jazz Writing Competition was started three years ago to raise the profile of jazz-related writing, with a focus on reviews of Australian jazz CDs and concerts. It soon became clear that we needed to expand beyond reviews and the competition will now rotate through different types of writing each year. Writers, artists and musicians draw inspiration from each others’ work and this year we celebrate that cross-pollination by moving the competition into short fiction.
Each year the competition has attracted judges who represent the spectrum of Australian jazz expertise from education, performance, composition, writing and broadcasting; all outstanding in their respective field. This year we continue that tradition with our two judges Gerry Koster (Jazz Up Late, ABC Classic FM) and Professor Catherine Cole, creative writer, academic and researcher at RMIT University in Melbourne, and recently of the University of Technology (UTS) in Sydney.
Stories should be up to 2,000 words in length. To be eligible for consideration, the story needs to be about, inspired by or responding to jazz or improvised music.  If the link to jazz or improvised music is not obvious in the story, the author needs to include a brief description (200 words maximum) of the link. For example, if a story was inspired by the music at a gig or on a recording the description should name the musician(s) and give details of date and venue or CD.  Dates
Entries are open from 1 March to 30 June, and winners will be announced in late August.
Winning stories will be published and launched at an event in November, with live music and readings.
More information:
Submission guidelines and more information area available on the competition website at www.jazz-planet.com/njwc or contact Miriam (Competition Coordinator) at  njwc@jazz-planet.com or on her mobile 0407 664 202
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