New Jazz and Improvised Music Recordings - Crowdfunder and New Releases.

Friday, September 11, 2020

A Crowdfunding campaign has been launched by ‘Newcastle Festival of Jazz & Improvised Music’ to establish a bespoke record label in which to present unique international jazz & improv.

Wesley Stephenson has supplied the following information;

New Jazz and Improvised Music Recordings - Crowdfunder and New Releases

In July, as a response to Covid-19, a Crowdfunding campaign was launched by ‘Newcastle Festival of Jazz and Improvised Music’ to establish a bespoke, ethically driven record label in which to present unique international jazz and improvisation recordings.

As the festival had to be cancelled this year along with live performance events, and the difficulties facing many independent artists and music businesses, our intention was to react creatively and positively in which to create new work and presentation opportunities.

Further details are attached alongside a link to the Crowdfunder where you can find full details about the project and the first artist releases.
http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/new-jazz-and-improvised-music-recordings

Whilst the initial crowdfunder has finished there is an ‘always on’ button which allows people to keep making donations if they wish for ongoing costs and future releases,

New Jazz and Improvised Music Recordings - Press Release (July 2020)

Launching this October in association with the Newcastle Festival of Jazz and Improvised Music we are crowdfunding to establish a bespoke, ethically driven record label run by artists in which to present unique international jazz and improvisation.

New ideas and new sounds for a new decade.

Pre-order our first releases, pay it forward and pledge to be part of something new as we put down the foundations for an environmentally-friendly label supporting artist independence, investing in independent music studios and supporting carbon neutral sustainable businesses to manufacture and deliver our products.

Established in 2017, the Newcastle Festival of Jazz and Improvised Music was set to present the fourth edition this coming October 2020, but like many others, due to Covid-19, it is not possible to stage this year’s event.

The idea of a label directly associated with the festival has been considered for a number of years, and now with some freedom of time, and a lack of live performance situations on offer to artists and audiences, we’ve decided this is a great moment to put alternative plans to action. Whilst the postponement of this year’s festival was not a decision anyone wished to make, it has been taken to ensure the wellbeing of all involved.

However, with restless energy and putting the little grey cells into action, we hope to react positively and creatively by continuing to present high-quality jazz and improvised music through a different channel.

NEW JAZZ AND IMPROVISED MUSIC RECORDINGS

Our initial crowdfunder has been launched to generate enough income for our first three releases with audiences buying advance copies, or simply investing into our set up costs. The level of funding is set to cover the production costs of manufacturing our first three ecologically friendly CD pressings, alongside some studio costs and creating an online digital presence through a website and Bandcamp.

The Artistic Director and Producer of Newcastle Festival of Jazz and Improvised Music will work closely with local and international musicians, graphic designers and studio engineers to create high-quality bespoke releases, with every aspect of the music production through to graphicartwork and presentation given full attention to detail.

Given the international nature of releases and flexibility currently required with social distancing, recordings will come from a number of studios and live performance situations. In Newcastle Upon Tyne future plans include working with both Blast and Blank Studios in Ouseburn for recording and mastering to ensure the high quality audio of each release.

There are no festival tickets to buy this year but we sincerely hope audiences might invest in this new initiative as we continue to engage world class jazz and improvising musicians and encourage sustainability for crucial independent music studios and carbon neutral manufacturing plants.

RELEASES and PRODUCTION

Each release will be presented through CD’s in Eco Digipacks made entirely from 100% recycled card, egg boxes and cork. Sleeves will also be banded with a recycled matt card Obi strip adding a collectors element and emphasising the unique label identity. Further emphasising the sustainable nature of our releases each digipack will be housed in 100% compostable and biodegradable environmentally friendly wrap.

Our products will be manufactured in a carbon neutral pressing plant using 100% renewable energy and similarly delivered through a carbon neutral courier, finally arriving at your door in fully recyclable and biodegradable packaging envelopes.

THE ARTISTS and PROJECT RELEASES

JOHN POPE QUINTET
Project Release: Debut Album
Featuring John Pope (Bass) / Faye MacCalman (Tenor Saxophone and Clarinet) / Jamie Stockbridge (Alto Saxophone) / Graham Hardy (Trumpet) / Johnny Hunter (Drums)
The debut album from the Northern UK based Quintet with recording dates set for this coming
October and a subsequent album support tour throughout 2021.
Releasing: January 2021

PAUL TAYLOR
Project Release: Via
An urgent collection of new Solo Piano recordings entitled ‘Via’ recorded in March 2020 just priorto lockdown measures being imposed.
Releasing: December 2020

LAURA TOXVAERD / JACOB ANDERSKOV / MARIA FAUST
Project Release: Live from Winterjazz in Copenhagen 2020
The Danish / Estonian Trio of Saxophones and Piano recorded live at Winterjazz in Copenhagen, February 2020.
Releasing: November 2020