In addition to the core event of the annual Glasgow Jazz Festival – our Youth, Education and Community strand throughout the year is an integral part of our commitment to placing creative development at the heart of our organisation – nurturing and developing new talent, while exploring and engaging in the wider community of Glasgow in interactions with musicians, artists and the Festival.
Glasgow Jazz Festival’s Youth, Education and Community Fund is a fantastic initiative that incorporates community and educational concerts and workshops that educate people of all ages in jazz music, allowing them to try out instruments they might otherwise never play and watch concerts they might otherwise never see. These tours and workshops take place year round thanks to funding from Ronnie Scott’s Charitable Foundation and Cartyne Trust. The Fund can also accept donations from friends of the festival who feel as strongly as we do about making jazz inclusive to everyone.
Featuring a core group of professional musicians, The Glasgow Jazz Festival All Stars present interactive performances on the history of jazz music, the instruments involved and about improvisation, in schools and community centres as well as at youth and community focused events such as in Glasgow’s George Square as part of the cultural programme celebrating the 2018 European Championships.
Over the years, The Glasgow Jazz Festival All Stars have entertained pupils from Knightswood Primary School in the West of the city, St Michaels and Quarry Brae Primary Schools in the East End, St. Bartholomew Primary School in Castlemilk and Annette Street Primary School in Govanhill both in the South Side and Mavisbank School in Airdrie. The Fund has also facilitated free evening concerts for local communities featuring Byres Road Big Band in association with the Thriving Places initiative.
Following their workshop, Sara Adam, Head teacher at Quarry Brae Primary School, said: “Today has been a fantastic experience for the pupils – it’s really lovely to watch them experience a whole new genre of music and really enjoy themselves while they’re at it. To see professionals at their craft has been a fantastically rich learning experience for the children.”
Furiz, a 10 year old pupil from Quarry Brae Primary School, summed the experience up in just one simple phrase… “this is awesome!”
Our host, actress Carmen Pieraccini, said: “It’s been lovely to see all of the kids taking part have such a fantastic time. The tour is a great way to bring jazz to kids from all different backgrounds right across the city!”
Saxophonist Paul Towndrow, said: “Bringing music to the heart of the community has always been an important part of my ethos so it’s been a fantastic experience to join forces with Glasgow Jazz Festival for this community tour. It’s been lovely to see people of all ages enjoying jazz when they might not have had the opportunity otherwise.”
Please click the Make a Donation button if you would like to contribute to this very worthwhile cause.