Yamaha Education Projects

Parliamentary Jazz Scholarships

(Photo: The six 2009 Parliamentary Jazz Scholars, Westminster, July 2009)

Since its launch in 2007, the high-powered and influential partnership between Yamaha and Classic FM in association with Jazzwise, PPL and the All-Party Parliamentary Jazz Appreciation Group has offered financial assistance, performance and recording opportunities to a new generation of young jazz musicians, who are nominated each year for special consideration by the heads of jazz at six of the UK's leading conservatoires. The annual scheme is designed to support young, emerging jazz musicians by providing valuable funding and important marketing support through performance and recording opportunities.

The 2010 scholarship winners are: Andrew Linham (sax), Leeds College of Music (LCM); Chris Gilligan (piano), Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama (RWCMD); David Hamblett (drums), Royal Academy of Music (RAM); Dougie Freeman (piano), Guildhall School of Music & Drama (GSMD); Lluis Mather (sax), Birmingham Conservatoire and Peter Randall (double bass), Trinity College of Music London (TCM).

The 2009 scholarship winners were: Alex Munk (guitar), LCM; Daoud Merchant (drums), GSMD; Gethin Jones (drums), RWCMD; Kit Downes (piano), RAM; Mark Perry (trumpet), TCM and Sam Wooster (trumpet), Birmingham Conservatoire.

In 2008 the number of jazz scholars to benefit from the scheme was doubled to six and the heads of jazz at six of the UK's leading conservatoires nominated: Calum Gourlay (double bass) RAM, John Randall (drums) Birmingham Conservatoire, Zem Audu (sax) TCM, Iestyn Jones (electric bass) RWCMD, Rick Simpson (piano) GSMD, Ruby Wood (voice) LCM.

In addition to the £1000 scholarship prize awarded to each scholarship winner for developing their studies and skills, and the unique platform of a performance at the Palace of Westminster, all six scholarship award winners have the opportunity to feature alongside some of Yamaha's most highly respected and established jazz artists on 'The Yamaha New Jazz Sessions' promotional CD, sponsored by Yamaha Music Europe (UK), to be recorded and cover-mounted on Jazzwise magazine's Xmas and New Year double issue, with the chance to perform live at the 2010 CD launch at London's internationally renowned 606 Jazz Club later in the year. Last year's acclaimed 'Yamaha New Jazz Sessions' CD, produced by Andy Ross at Astar Studios, included special guest tracks from renowned Yamaha jazz artists Liane Carroll, Nigel Hitchcock and Ryan Quigley.

Yamaha Scholars including, Rick Simpson (piano) and Calum Gourlay (bass) at the 606 Club, Dec 2008

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(updated: June 2010)