Yamaha Education Projects

The Yamaha Jazz Experience Competition!

Jazz ensembles from all over the UK consisting of young people aged 11-18 have entered the Yamaha Jazz Experience jazz ensemble improvisation competition, with a chance for the three winning ensembles to win gigs at Cheltenham Jazz Festival, Ronnie Scott's, The 606 Club and The Bull's Head Jazz Club in south-west London on 1 May 2010, along with a total of £9,000 worth of Yamaha prizes for their school, college or community centres!

It's the Taking Part

To enter, participants set up a jazz ensemble jazz comprising piano, bass, drums and optionally up to five additional performers. They had to prepare a blues and either a jazz standard or a piece of their own choosing, with impro at its heart.

After they'd rehearsed they then videoed a performance of the ensemble's two pieces, and sent them to Yamaha in early February 2010. The ensembles downloaded the competition's rules to guide them.

Getting to the finals

In early March 2010 two of the distinguished Yamaha Jazz Experience judges, Helen Mayhew (jazz broadcaster, Jazz FM) and Richard Michael (2009 Parliamentary Jazz 'Jazz Educator' award winner and Yamaha Jazz Experience workshop leader), will shortlist nine ensembles to take part in the competition finals at Cheltenham Jazz Festival on 1 May 2010. The three winners will be announced at the event.

The Final - Cheltenham Jazz Festival, 1 May 2010

The judges will be looking for creativity, musicality and communication - with both the audience and between band members. The nine finalists will perform before a judging panel of: Julian Joseph (internationally acclaimed jazz pianist and Jazz Experience workshop leader), Andrea Vicari (jazz professor at Trinity College of Music, professional jazz musician with Andrea Vicari Trio, director of Dordogne Jazz Summer School and Jazz Experience workshop leader), Liane Carroll (inspirational jazz singer, winner of 2008 Parliamentary Jazz 'Musician of the Year' award winner), Helen Mayhew (jazz broadcaster, Jazz FM), Peter Ind (Jazz Experience patron and legendary jazz double bass player) and Richard Michael

We thank our hosts at Cheltenham Jazz Festival, venue partners, the 606 Club, Ronnie Scott's and the Bull's Head Jazz Club in London and especially all those who have taken part and sent some stunning entries for the competition. We wish everyone the greatest success.

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Updated: February 2010