Jazz re:freshed Ltd: Talent Development Fund 2020
A small but relentlessly determined Black-led organisation, Jazz re:freshed is a cultural and global movement. The sum of their parts has created something special on the UK Jazz scene. They work on supporting, developing and promoting young and/or Black and or/female emerging artists and bands across multiple platforms, raising their profile and creating an audience and industry buzz through our weekly live residency, PRS Foundation TDP supported annual one day festival and band development program, DJ Club nights, multiple partnerships, record label and international showcasing which has been instrumental in propelling the more culturally diverse aspects of the British Jazz scene into the global eye and had a major positive effect on the trajectory of the British Jazz scene. In 2020 Jazz re:freshed received the Jazz FM Innovation Award. Jazz re:freshed has built a unique relationship with many of the artists on the scene. If JRF has a passion for the music, they will support, develop and help artists grow their capabilities to self manage, promote themselves as well as providing releases for them to serve a global fan base. We have informally coached, advised and even managed some of the younger musicians around. Jazz re:freshed provides a portal to the exciting music on the scene and enables UK Jazz to thrive and extend its international reach.
Entering their 18th year in May, at the core, Jazz re:freshed’s (JRF) mission continues to be to globally elevate, amplify and spotlight the breadth of expression in UK Jazz, while breaking down the boundaries for audiences to access the music. They have a forte for spotting talent and the small not for profit record label won the Best Independent Label in this year’s 2020 AIM Awards (Association of Independent Music). JRF largely focus on first releases for emerging artists and have already had some success in supporting the launch of Ashley Henry (signed by Sony), Richard Spaven (prolific drummer with cult status) and Nubya Garcia’s (recently signed to Concord Jazz) recording careers and JRF has a 2019 Mercury Prize (PRSF supported) Album of the Year nomination for Cassie Kinoshi’s SEED ensemble debut release, Driftglass.
Quickly responding to the limitations of lockdowns in 2020, Jazz re:freshed converted their annual one day summer festival JAZZ RE:FEST to an online broadcast which drew global attention. With the support of Culture Recovery funding, Jazz re:freshed has also brought their seminal weekly event online and at their launch event attracted over 7000 views – they would have fit up to 200 people in their old venue on Portobello Road.
‘As trying as 2020 has been for us, PRS Foundation were very responsive and supported of us through the year. From partnering on a dedicated Sustaining Creativity funding round for Black creatives, to supporting rapid changes in our band development and annual festival programmes. There was always an ear to listen, a genuine curiosity in understanding culturally different perspectives and a supportive voice when times were really challenging. Being connected to the Talent Development network has also provided great opportunities to explore collaboration possibilities despite the ever present challenges.’