Sandy Burnett to judge JazzFactor 2011

Sandy Burnett, one of Britain’s most respected musicians on the UK jazz and classical music scenes, will join the judging panel for this year’s JazzFactor youth talent competition.  Eleven bands and artists are already confirmed for this event, which takes place on Sunday 27th March at SAE Oxford, the sound engineering school.  Entrants will perform before Sandy Burnett and the judging panel as well as a public audience, and there will be a prize giving at the end of the day when last year’s winners, The Quaking Ducks, will hand over the cup.

Sandy Burnett says:  ”Nurturing talent among young people is essential for the British jazz scene to thrive in the generations to come.  This is why contests such as JazzFactor are so important and I am very pleased to be involved.”

Festival co-founder Paul Jefferies adds:  “Sandy is an incredible role model for young musicians and we are honoured that he is devoting his time to us.  JazzFactor, while being a fun day in its own right, is also a serious motivator for youngsters looking to launch a career in jazz music, and receiving a nod of approval from Sandy Burnett is one of the best votes of confidence any young musician could wish for.”

As well as judging the contest, Sandy will lead a power trio performance during the day featuring young sax supremo Aaron Liddard and leading kit man Elliott Henshaw. As well as cutting the straight-ahead jazz mustard, Liddard is a composer and arranger, and frequent sideman of such pop luminaries as Amy Winehouse, Prince, and Jools Holland.  Henshaw has worked with Dame Shirley Bassey as well as Deep Purple, Michael Ball, the BBC Big Band, Matthew Herbert, Ray Gelato, Tony Hadley, and Bob Mintzer.

JazzFactor is Oxford’s only youth talent contest devoted to jazz and is in its third year.  The contest is open to all jazz musicians, bands and vocalists of secondary school age in Oxfordshire.  As well as performing at the Oxford Jazz Festival during 21-24 April, the winning band, musician or vocalist will be given a free recording session at SAE Oxford studios, a fabulous winner’s cup kindly gifted by UK wind and brass specialist Allegro Oxford Ltd and a professional paid performance at the Big Bang’s Jazz Cellar in Jericho later in the year. For the first time, in 2011 there will be runner up prizes plus certificates for Best Vocalist and Best Instrumentalist.

JazzFactor will take place on Sunday 27th March in the Live Room at SAE’s global headquarters at Littlemore Park, Oxford OX4 4FY.  Closing date for entries is 25th February 2011. The event is open to the public; entrance fee £5.  Anyone interested in entering should email info@oxfordjazzfestival.com.

This was written by Karen David of Spriggs David, a PR consultant based in Oxford, UK.  Get in touch at karen@spriggsdavid.com .

Jazz Festival Programme is hot property

Spriggs David has brought two clients together – property firm Carter Jonas and Oxford Jazz Festival – for an exclusive sponsorship deal:

Carter Jonas is getting jazzy this Easter with a sponsorship deal with Oxford Jazz Festival. The firm is exclusive sponsor of the Festival Programme, which is distributed widely throughout Oxfordshire and to audiences in London and the Home Counties. The Festival takes place 21-24 April 2011, over Easter weekend, with more than 60 performances in a host of venues across the city, including the Ashmolean Museum, The Randolph Hotel and St Michael at The North Gate plus many local bars and restaurants.

“The Jazz Festival appeals to so many people that we engage with as property consultants across various sectors, including our clients, professional associates as well as employees,” says Mark Charter, Carter Jonas Partner and head of the Oxford office.  “We are also very pleased to be supporting such a progressive cultural event for Oxford and one that is growing in popularity each year.”

Oxford Jazz Festival co-founder Max Mason adds:  “We are delighted that Carter Jonas is supporting us, and to be helping this well known brand increase visibility among our audiences. We are anticipating that more than 10,000 jazz fans will enjoy the Festival over Easter weekend, comprising residents, tourists and visitors from the UK and abroad.  The Programme is the essential guide to what’s on and where, and everyone will want to get hold of a copy.  ”

The Oxford Jazz Festival programme will be available from early April both in print and as a .pdf to download from the Festival website www.oxfordjazzfestival.com.  Copies will also be available from Carter Jonas offices in London, Oxford and Newbury.

Jazz Festival returns to Oxford this Easter

The third Oxford Jazz Festival returns to the city over Easter Weekend, 21-24 April 2011, offering a variety of jazz performances, from morning ‘til nighttime across the city.  Headline acts include Tim Whitehead with The Spin Trio on Thursday, Soweto Kinch at Oxford Town Hall on Friday 23rd and Norma Winstone at The Randolph Hotel on Sunday.  New this year, Jazz Neighbourhoods creates local jazz districts in Summertown, Cowley Road, Jericho, the West End and City Centre, and late night jazz jams will be back again at The Big Bang in Jericho.  Full details online at oxfordjazzfestival.com.

Journalists wishing to cover or preview Oxford Jazz Festival should email me – karen@spriggsdavid.com