A brand new jazz ensemble will
make their debut on the Richmondshire music scene this
month.
Richmond Jam was formed after a two day
workshop at last years Richmond Jazz Festival.
The twelve piece group have been together ever
since – attending the monthly music workshops that arose as a
result of the success of the initial pilot sessions. They will now
play at the Georgian Theatre on September 19 as part of the 2010
Jazz Festival.
The workshops – which have been running since
February - aimed to help young musicians create their own music
through individual and group improvisation. Many of the young
people taking part were new to ‘playing by ear’ and have not only
been learning to play but have helped run the sessions.
Jam and workshop steering group member, Ben
Stockdale, commented: “The workshops have been a real
success. Working with professional musicians has allowed us
to develop our individual playing styles.
“It’s not just about the jazz group but the
other bands and the different types of music we play. I have
noticed a big difference in the way I approach my playing.”
The sessions were made possible through North
Yorkshire County Council 4Youth Service and Keyfund funding which
aims to engage young people and help them to develop social and
emotional skills so that they may make successful transitions to
adulthood and play a positive role in their community.
Mike Fowler and James Mainwaring have been
leading them in the sessions at Richmond Youth Centre - Mike is a
performer, teacher, composer, bandleader and jazz educator and for
over 25 years was a director of Birmingham Jazz. James is a
performer, composer, arranger and bandleader who graduated from the
Leeds College of Music in 2010 with a BA in Jazz.
“We are very fortunate to have such a
talented group of young performers to close this year’s festival”
said Chris Powls, Festival Director.
“They have worked really hard all year and
share the stage with Liane Caroll and Polar Bear.”
Free concerts are also being hosted at The
Station and the Town Hall in Richmond featuring the Bill Goyder
Quartet, Jazz Me Blue and Skipton based Dales Jam. Full details are
available at www.richmond-jazz-festival.co.uk
Tickets for the Richmond Jam concert – priced
£6 – are available from The Georgian Theatre 01748 825252 or
www.digyorkshire.com