With a conference title inspired by the name of the 1962 album by American trumpeter Freddie Hubbard - Here to Stay- the Jazz Promotion Network (JPN) will celebrate the resilience of jazz in all its forms and those who play, present and teach it. The 2023 conference will explore how jazz promoters, agents, educators, producers, labels, venues, and musicians can work to maintain and grow the artform across the UK, Ireland and beyond.
The JPN Conference takes place in a different city annually, hosted by JPN member organisations and other partners. For 2023 the event is co-hosted by two of the major cultural organisations in Birmingham- B:Music (the new name for Symphony Hall) and Birmingham City University (BCU) which also contains the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.
Starting at 1pm on Tuesday Oct 31 at Symphony Hall/B:Music with a keynote address by one of Birmingham’s best known jazz performers and commentators- Soweto Kinch, conference sessions will run throughout the afternoon, followed by an evening showcase programme, with performances with some of the UK’s most exciting new artists from across the UK and Ireland.
Discussion topics will include Inclusivity in Action - how are we all doing at growing our diverse jazz community and Working Internationally - how are things working out post-Brexit with touring and international collaborations. Focussing on Building the next generation, JPN will be seeking feedback on their proposed ‘Routes into Jazz’ promoter development project. Invited speakers will include those doing exciting work outside the arts funding system, and colleagues from the worlds of jazz press and PR, sharing how they can help promote what Is happening across the UK and Ireland.
On Wednesday Nov 1 the conference moves to Birmingham City University where the conference hosts will introduce delegates to the varied jazz scene in the city, to the work of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and the university, and the riches of the National Jazz Archive.
Conference sessions, some of which will take place in the new STEAMhouse innovation centre at BCU, will focus on the future of jazz and how new technology may impact on our work as promoters and as artists. These will be followed by the second evening of showcases in the superb Bradshaw Hall at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.
JPN Chair, Ros Rigby OBE, comments ‘ We are absolutely delighted to bring our conference to Birmingham this year, and to be working with such collaborative and creative partners, who do a huge amount to promote jazz in the city, alongside many energetic independent promoters.
Tony Dudley-Evans, independent BIrmingham based jazz promoter, comments ‘ It’s great news that the JPN Conference is coming to Birmingham- it is an important organisation that can do so much to increase the profile of British jazz. I also welcome the opportunity to showcase some of the talent we have in the city.’
Quotes from Alex Carr, Jeremy Price, Soweto to come.
Ticketing Information & Bursaries
JPN Members are eligible for free access to the event. For non-members, full conference tickets are priced at £55 for individuals and volunteer run organisations, £75 for small independent jazz organisations, £100 for regularly funded organisations. This ticket price includes access to the full conference programme, lunch and tickets for two nights of showcases. We’re also offering reduced-cost tickets for under-30s at £30
Subject to support available from funding bodies, we also hope to offer partial travel /accommodation bursaries to attendees from England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and Northern Ireland.
All information/booking via https://jazzpromotionnetwork.org.uk/here-to-stay-the-2023-jpn-conference/
Jazz Promotion Network gratefully acknowledges funding to date from Arts Council Wales., sponsorship from the National Jazz Archive and substantial support in kind from B:Music and Birmingham City University.
NOTES
The Jazz Promotion Network is a collaborative network that enables the diverse UK & Irish jazz sector to thrive, innovate and inspire. JPN aims to advance and support professional development, information exchange and partnership opportunities for the UK & Irish jazz industry, artists and audiences.
PHOTO: SOWETO KINCH by Iza Korsak
