Jazz photographer’s legacy for young Birmingham musicians.
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
A generous legacy from jazz photographer Russ Escritt is set to offer a year of tuition, mentoring and performance opportunities for three talented young Birmingham musicians.Press release attached.
PRESS RELEASE FROM TOWN HALL & SYMPHONY HALL BIRMINGHAM
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JAZZ PHOTOGRAPHER’S LEGACY OFFERS BRIGHT FUTURE FOR YOUNG MUSICIANS
Birmingham takes a step closer to becoming the new jazz centre of the UK with the announcement of a Jazzlines Future Fellows scheme to support young musicians in the city and confirmation of a second year of Jazzlines Fellows, supported by Jerwood Charitable Foundation.
A generous legacy from jazz photographer Russ Escritt is set to offer a year of tuition, mentoring and performance opportunities for three supremely talented young Birmingham musicians. Kayla Rowe (16), Christopher Trotman (14) and Isaiah Williams (16) have been selected as the first Jazzlines Future Fellows for their enthusiasm and dedication to playing jazz as well as strong musical talent and future potential. The trio will join a growing talent development programme managed by Jazzlines, Town Hall & Symphony Hall Birmingham’s dynamic strand of live jazz performances and innovative education projects.
The scheme will support three musicians each year for three years and Jenny Escritt, Russ’s widow, is delighted that the legacy is being used in this way: ?Russ was a passionate supporter of jazz in Birmingham. As well as loving the music, he appreciated the challenges faced by young jazz musicians in the city to develop their skills and make a living, and particularly get a head start at a young age. It is really great that the money in Russ’s legacy will help to support younger musicians in their development.?
A trade union official by profession, Russ Escritt was a dedicated jazz lover and photographer for many years, making a huge contribution to the Birmingham music community by documenting both visiting international artists and the city’s wealth of musicians. His work has been published in books, has appeared in magazines and CD covers, and exhibited at mac Birmingham, Symphony Hall and The Drum.
Jazzlines Future Fellows
The Jazzlines Future Fellowship is a new scheme for young people in school years 7-12 (aged 11-17 years). It is a new part of the growing talent development programme which supports the progression of talented young jazz musicians from first access through to early career level. This scheme will provide support for young musicians who have demonstrated enthusiasm and dedication for playing jazz as well as strong musical talent and potential. It has been made possible thanks to a legacy donation by the late jazz photographer Russ Escritt given to Jazzlines to support the development of young Birmingham-based jazz musicians.
The scheme will support three young musicians a year for the next three years providing them with a tailored musical development programme to include participation in Jazzlines existing programmes such as Jazzlines Ensemble, one-to-one instrumental lessons, optional tuition in other areas such as composition, arranging or music technology, performance opportunities, mentoring sessions with Jazzlines Fellows, visits to high profile festivals and free tickets for performances at THSH and associated venues.
This scheme will run alongside the Jazzlines Fellowship scheme which is funded by the Jerwood Charitable Foundation and supports musicians aged between 21 and 35 in the early to mid-career stage.
Russ Escritt tributes
Tony Dudley-Evans http://www.thsh.co.uk/news/news/russ-escritt-a-tribute/
Peter Bacon http://thejazzbreakfast.com/2012/11/12/russ-escritt-jazz-photographer-and-fan-rip/