Thursday, 14 June 2012 17:27

The Jann Rutherford Memorial Award is named in honour of the late New Zealand born jazz pianist Jann Rutherford, and is funded by private donations in partnership with Melbourne Womens International Jazz Festival (MWIJF) Sydney Improvised Music Association (SIMA), Jazz Queensland and ABC Radio National.  They were launched in 2005 at the instigation of a private benefactor who recognised a need to support young female jazz musicians at the beginning of their professional careers.

The winner of the Award receives performance, recording and promotional opportunities and financial support to undertake these activities.  Details of the award may vary from year to year, but the value to the recipient is expected to be in excess of $8000.

The Jann Rutherford Mentorship Awards were first awarded in 2006 and have been offered in recognition of the efforts and achievements of several outstanding participants in the Improvisation Workshops For Young Women. These workshops are co-ordinated by The Sydney Improvised Music Association (SIMA) and have been operating since 2002. The winners were selected by a panel of the workshop's tutors convened by founding Course Director Sandy Evans.

The mentorship initiative pairs each talented young jazz instrumentalist with a mentor who will offer support, encouragement, inspiration and advice based on their knowledge, life and experience relative to being a jazz musician. It is hoped that the mentoring relationship will enable the award recipients to gain skills and confidence relevant to their enjoyment of jazz playing, and potentially facilitate their further exploration of new directions and possibilities in the field of jazz.
 
Previous recipients Alex Silver, Jess Green, Ali Foster, Harri Harding & Jess Dunn who created The Sirens with the 2010 award, Hannah James and the latest is Ellen Kirkwood.

To continue this outstanding project a massive fundraising concert is planned for Thursday July 12, 2012 at the wonderful new club Blue Beat in Double Bay, Sydney.

Three main groups will perform.
1. Paul Cutlan leading 'The Jann Rutherford Quintet'.
Paul writes:- The Jann Rutherford Quintet with guest pianist Matt McMahon are privileged to have the opportunity to perform compositions from both her solo piano and quintet albums. These range from hard bop classics such as Mr Visa Man, through tender ballads and waltz numbers to songs like Expectations, bursting with optimism and joy. Matt McMahon (piano), Roger Manins & Paul Cutlan (saxophones) Craig Scott (bass) and Dave Goodman (drums).

2. Hannah James Quartet
Jazz bassist, composer Hannah James was the recipient of the 2011 Jann Rutherford Memorial Award. Hannah's group is a showcase for her beautiful, subtle and sophisticated compositions
Hannah James (bass) Tim Clarkson (saxophone) Casey Golden (piano) and Ed Rodrigues (drums).

3. The Sirens Big Band
In 2010 the award recipients were Jessica Dunn and Harriet Harding. It enabled them to launch The Sirens all woman big band. They have had exceptional success including a season in the Sydney Festival re-creating the days of the famous Trocadero.

As a bonus we can expect some anecdotes both from long term collaborators Paul Cutlan, Roger Manins and the rambunctious star of Beer Drinking Woman Christa Hughes. Christa also promises a sample from the show which Jann
collaborated on.

8pm Thursday July 12 @ BLUE BEAT 16 Cross Street, Double Bay - $40/$25 bookings (02) 9328 4411
Also massive raffle with prizes including concert tickets, books, cds, photo sessions. $5 each or 5 for $20.
Further information or if you can't be there on the night but want to support the project please contact jrma(at)ozemail.com.au

More info on the website www.jrma.info and the Facebook page