George Montague wins the 2013 Cheltenham Jazz Festival ?Search for a New Jazz Star?.

Thursday, May 30, 2013

22 year-old Singer, songwriter, composer and multi-instrumentalist George Montague won the search for Unsigned Talent at this year?s Cheltenham Jazz Festival. Details attached.

We have received the following press release concerning George Montague’s award;

George Montague wins the 2013 Cheltenham Jazz Festival ?Search for a New Jazz Star’

22 year-old Singer, songwriter, composer and multi-instrumentalist George Montague won the search for Unsigned Talent at this year’s Cheltenham Jazz Festival.

In a brand new initiative for 2013, Cheltenham Jazz Festival launched a new talent search ? Search for a New Jazz Star. This exciting competition, supported by Decca Records, was set up to find and celebrate the brightest up-and-coming jazz talent from across the UK and showcase their skills at the Festival.

A panel of industry experts, including Decca executives, selected George from all the music and videos submitted, before inviting him to perform a one hour set (as a trio) on the Free Stage at the Jazz Festival on 4th May.

He then, along with his 6-piece ?notsobigband’, brought his brand of jazz, funk and rock to a packed audience in the Jazz Festival’s Jazz Arena as part of the main programme on Bank Holiday Monday, May 6th.

Mike Bartlett, Director of Affilated Labels at Decca said: “It was fantastic to see the wealth of talent that came forward during this talent search, demonstrating the vibrant health of the UK’s music scene. Picking a winner was a tough job, and I think we’ll be hearing more from several of the names who made our final list”

George said: ?To have been chosen by Cheltenham Jazz Festival was a delightful and wonderful shock, I wasn’t expecting it at all! What a marvellous honour to get such kind and welcome recognition… thank you.?

Ian George Director of Cheltenham Jazz Festival said:?In the first year of the talent search competition we are delighted that George, a local talent, was chosen from some stiff competition. The festival is dedicated to supporting emerging talent and there is plenty of that locally as well as nationally.?

George said: ?Playing the Jazz Arena at Cheltenham Jazz Festival was amazing! Words can’t even begin to describe the excitement and awe I felt to be hammering out my songs on a gorgeous grand piano with my spectacular notsobigband behind me and a magnificent audience in front complete with their heads bobbing, feet tapping and hands clapping. I was in bliss.?

For more information on Cheltenham Jazz Festival visit: http://www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/jazz
For more information on George Montague visit: http://georgemontague.com/

Ian adds;

I saw George give a very impressive performance in the Jazz Arena on Monday 6th May. A full review can be found as part of the “Monday at Cheltenham Jazz Festival ” feature to be found elsewhere on this site.