Latest News
Doncaster Youth Jazz Association recognised at the Parliamentary Jazz Awards
The 20th annual Parliamentary Jazz Awards organised by the All-Party Parliamentary Jazz Group (APPJG) and supported by the Musicians’ Union and UK Music took place last month. Jazz North was delighted to hear that one of our ‘Jazz Camp for Girls’ partner organisations Doncaster Youth Jazz Association (DYJA) had won the Jazz Education Award.
Educator’s Forum with guest Bess Shooter
For this forum we are pleased to have guest Bess Shooter - a music creator and educator and baritone saxophonist with Ferg’s Imaginary Big Band. She is passionate about improvisation, DIY, UK jazz and experimental music scenes. She has worked with More Music and Jazz North’s Jazz Camp for Girls creating equal opportunities in jazz education and making music fun.
How we support music educators across the North!
159 people have now subscribed to the Learning Resources Area of the Jazz North website since launching in October. It’s free to create an account and access our free and downloadable resources. As planned, a fresh batch of activities have now been added to the area and we are keen to hear from people that have tried using any of the materials in their various teaching situations.
Bringing the Playlist Project to life
On a cold but bright November morning, five musicians arrived at The Nave in Stanningley, Leeds ready to bring Jazz North’s ‘Playlist project’ to life. Led by Learning and Participation project manager Helena Summerfield (alto sax) the band also featured stalwarts of the Northern jazz scene Aaron Wood (trumpet) Graham Maynard (keys), Hamlet Luton (bass) and Caroline Boaden (drums).
Education highlights from the Europe Jazz Conference 2024
It certainly feels as though the European jazz community is committed to making a more just, inclusive and balanced music industry and one that I am proud to be a part of.
Is there too much improvisation in the Model Music Curriculum?
I recently counted up the references to ‘improvisation’ in the Model Music Curriculum. I spotted a total of 29. Is this too much? To a jazz enthusiast this is music to my ears (excuse the pun) but it raises questions of how a non music specialist primary school teacher or a less confident improvising music tutor would find these activities.