New Music 20 x 12 - Congratulations to Julian Joseph and Jason Yarde

PRS for Music Foundation is managing a project of twenty new composition commissions as part of the 2012 Olympic Games Cultural Programme under the banner New Music 20 x 12. The winners have just been announced, and the two musicians from the jazz world to receive commissions are Julian Joseph and Jason Yarde.

Here are details of their successful bids:


"Julian Joseph and Hackney Music Development Trust have won funding for jazz proposal, ‘The Brown Bomber’, based on the famous boxing battle between American Joe Louis and German Max Schmeling in 1938. The piece will bring to life the relationship between the two athletes, who were adversaries in sport, but became great friends despite the ideological opposition that surrounded them.

Composer, producer and saxophonist Jason Yarde and community band Wonderbrass, which celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2012, are working on ‘Skip, Dash. Flow’ that will explore new world rhythms. "

PRS for Music is partnered up for this project with the BBC, LOCOG (the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games) and Sound and Music, and the UK's Arts Councils are also funding it.

(Fantastic for Jason and Julian who are thoroughly deserving...I just regret that nobody thought of knocking Kenny Wheeler's door, a world-class composer in the heart of an Olympic borough.)

FOR FULL DETAILS OF THE PARTNERS , JUDGES, PROCESS, WINNERS SEE HERE

London Jazz Festival Preview (14) Paco de Lucia

UPDATE 20th NOVEMBER. Rod Fogg's REVIEW of the concert is also published.

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London Jazz Festival Preview
Paco De Lucia Royal Festival Hall, Royal Festival Hall, Thursday 18th November(Sold Out- Returns Only - Preview by Andrew McCormack*)

Ron Moss, who managed Chick Corea and Return to Forever made a revealing remark when I was speaking to him recently: "In the seventies, all they listened to was Paco!"


Virtuoso Flamenco guitarist and Spanish hero, Paco de Lucia, whose career spans over forty years, has not only mastered his art but has also established himself as the leading exponent in his genre, and continues to expand the audience for this music.

A Flamenco ensemble often works much like a small jazz group. The musicians interact and improvise on a given structure. Being one of the most important leaders of modern flamenco, Paco de Lucia has made significant inroads to the genre of flamenco/jazz fusion.

This has included collaborations on the international music scene with examples such as his recording,‘Friday Night in San Francisco’, with fellow guitarists, Al Di Meola and John McLaughlin.

On Thursday, 18th of November, Paco de Lucia will bring a unique mix of virtuoso Jazz improvisation with the colourful and dramatic passion of Flamenco when his musicians and dancers come to the Royal Festival Hall.

http://www.londonjazzfestival.org.uk/

Andrew McCormack will be appearing with Jason Yarde in the London Jazz Festival at the 606 Club on Tuesday November 17th., Their most recent CD is My Duo (Joy and Ears).