As announced during the European Jazz Conference 2024 in Ghent last week, the 6th EJN Award for Music and community goes to Teller de Músics in Barcelona (Spain) and Bunkern Bokar in Göteborg (Sweden). The Award is bestowed each year by the Europe Jazz Network (EJN) to an organisation or project for its groundbreaking work on social inclusion.
For the first time, a public nomination phase was launched at the start of 2024, through an online form, allowing EJN members and non-members alike to suggest interesting and relevant projects, and submit information about them. The resulting shortlist was then analysed and discussed by a jury composed by Board members, previous award winners and experts on the subject.
The comment from the award jury 2024 states: “The 2024 EJN Award for Music & Community recognised two exceptional, creative initiatives: Taller Obert by Taller de Músics in Barcelona, Spain, and Bunkern Bokar in Göteborg, Sweden. Taller Obert impressed with its work with vulnerable people, including former inmates, refugees, and homeless people, through music projects for social reintegration. Their community-focused workshops and public concerts celebrate the power of music as a route for positive change. In contrast, Bunkern Bokar takes a unique approach by training and integrating individuals with disabilities into the creative industries workforce. As a hub for freelance jazz musicians in Western Sweden, they provide essential support for career development through bookings, management, and promotion.
Additionally, the jury awarded special mentions to two other projects that effectively break down barriers and engage marginalised communities: Ledebirds Orchestra in the Ledeberg district of Ghent, Belgium, and Współgłosy Foundation, which works with individuals with intellectual disabilities in Łódź, Poland.”
The 2024 EJN Music & Community Award jury was composed of Wim Wabbes (former EJN President, Belgium), Alex Carr (EJN Board Member, Cheltenham Jazz Festival, UK), Maria Rylander (EJN Board Member, Göteborg Artist Center, Sweden), Katy Minter (EJN member and previous award winner, B:Music, UK), and François Matarasso (community arts researcher and EJN consultant for social inclusion, UK/France).
About Taller Obert / Taller de Músics
Every Saturday a group of people meets at Taller de Músics in the Raval area of Barcelona to share some vital experiences and express themselves through music. They live in different areas of Barcelona and out Barcelona, so public transport tickets are provided to those who have to travel to attend. They have very different backgrounds and experiences, but have some needs and pressures in life in common1. Professional musicians and experts at Taller Obert work with a practical learning methodology with them. That means they experience music through listening, sight and practice, through collective imitation and corporal expression in order to guarantee their creative participation. Learnings have concrete elements (songs and repertoire) that help to understand achievement and work as a resource to live again the experience through memory.
Taller Obert is a stable program and, at the same time, every year the group transforms itself: new colleagues come, some of them leave and every three years Taller Obert has a final restitution for all of them. There are some exceptions, and Covid has interfered with this structure in some cases. Reunion and routine has a strong meaning in their temporal community. A meal (breakfast) is offered at each session, and is a key moment when professionals and non-professionals share and communicate as equals and a relaxed atmosphere is prompted: a good moment to resolve conflicts.
Apart from the regular sessions, other activities are also carried out when possible: public performances, occasional instrumental reinforcement, attendance at musical shows, visits to rehearsals and productions, training and practices and personalised training within workshops, special courses and master classes.
Two concerts take place every June and December together with volunteer musicians. They have a deep meaning for them, their relatives and friends. Here two examples of last year: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJpVfHPAOWE; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmq9nqhsaqg
Some visions from participants:
“It is a space where I can relate to music, which is a passion I have had for many years, it has brought me stability in a certain emotional way and of all kinds.”
“It has brought me a connection, more desire. Every time with music I have a stronger connection with myself. Something about security too, obviously, and with confidence too.”
“For me, music is finding myself in a certain way.”
“Is what you do, what gives you the air, what has given me power, the power to decide on a day-to-day basis, the power to solve many situations that I did not understand because, well, the same social problem.”
“We are taking the first steps, it's about learning and enjoying, and especially enjoying”
“What I would like is to be with people, share music and feel at ease.”
“What music gives you is the possibility of power, of being able to work from within on all the things that you are experiencing because of the outside.”
“We danced again; we have to learn to dance again.”
1. All of them are in a process of reintegration after having received care in prisons, drug treatment residences, reception service for homeless people, reception service for immigrants and refugees, etc.
https://tallerdemusics.com/en/social-projects/taller-obert/
About Bunkern Bokar
Bunkern Bokar is an innovative booking agency based in Gothenburg, Sweden. It works with a dual purpose:
- promoting professional jazz groups from Gothenburg;
- educating and preparing persons with disabilities for a career in the music industry. Learning by doing!
Not many jazz groups in Sweden have the opportunity to be represented by a booking agency, most musicians do all the booking themselves. But of course they would all be very happy if they could get someone else to do that job, and only focus on the artistic development of the band.
On the other hand many persons with disabilities have difficulties finding a job. The labour market is constantly more and more streamlined,which leaves a lot of people behind. Persons that could be perfectly fit for many duties - with the right training and support.
Bunkern Bokar is providing this support!
For 4 years Bunkern Bokar has been running as a project funded by the Swedish Inheritance Fund. During these years 15-20 persons have taken part in the training to become a booking agent. This practical training has consisted of everything from contacting bands, making agreements, building a webpage, learning a CRM system, calling venues, making films, social media plans, networking You name it..!! Everything it takes to promote our bands. We have also initiated concerts and festivals which we have been curating and financing. All with a focus on gender equality. A lot of emphasis has been on getting every individual to feel comfortable, to provide the right conditions for everyone to perform according to their individual ability. And - at the same time create a good work environment for the group.
We have so far booked over 100 gis for our musicians. All over Sweden.
In 2025 we will transform from a project to a social enterprise. This is the next step in our journey, for a more inclusive music industry. The best way to support us is to book our bands!! That's how we make money, and can survive in the future.
A quote from Pontus Langendorf, producer at Scenkonst Sörmland: “Bunkern Bokar is an extremely committed and professional business. In all interactions that I have had both over the phone and via email, the employees at Bunkern Bokar have been attentive and efficient in responding to my wishes and needs. The music industry in Sweden largely lacks the important infrastructure between artists and organisers/buyers/bookers, a gap that Bunkern Bokar fills with the services offered. The project should develop into a permanent activity and has the potential to function as a model for how similar activities could be built up…”
https://coompanion.se/goteborgsregionen/
For the first time, a public nomination phase was launched at the start of 2024, through an online form, allowing EJN members and non-members alike to suggest interesting and relevant projects, and submit information about them. The resulting shortlist was then analysed and discussed by a jury composed by Board members, previous award winners and experts on the subject.
The comment from the award jury 2024 states: “The 2024 EJN Award for Music & Community recognised two exceptional, creative initiatives: Taller Obert by Taller de Músics in Barcelona, Spain, and Bunkern Bokar in Göteborg, Sweden. Taller Obert impressed with its work with vulnerable people, including former inmates, refugees, and homeless people, through music projects for social reintegration. Their community-focused workshops and public concerts celebrate the power of music as a route for positive change. In contrast, Bunkern Bokar takes a unique approach by training and integrating individuals with disabilities into the creative industries workforce. As a hub for freelance jazz musicians in Western Sweden, they provide essential support for career development through bookings, management, and promotion.
Additionally, the jury awarded special mentions to two other projects that effectively break down barriers and engage marginalised communities: Ledebirds Orchestra in the Ledeberg district of Ghent, Belgium, and Współgłosy Foundation, which works with individuals with intellectual disabilities in Łódź, Poland.”
The 2024 EJN Music & Community Award jury was composed of Wim Wabbes (former EJN President, Belgium), Alex Carr (EJN Board Member, Cheltenham Jazz Festival, UK), Maria Rylander (EJN Board Member, Göteborg Artist Center, Sweden), Katy Minter (EJN member and previous award winner, B:Music, UK), and François Matarasso (community arts researcher and EJN consultant for social inclusion, UK/France).
About Taller Obert / Taller de Músics
Every Saturday a group of people meets at Taller de Músics in the Raval area of Barcelona to share some vital experiences and express themselves through music. They live in different areas of Barcelona and out Barcelona, so public transport tickets are provided to those who have to travel to attend. They have very different backgrounds and experiences, but have some needs and pressures in life in common1. Professional musicians and experts at Taller Obert work with a practical learning methodology with them. That means they experience music through listening, sight and practice, through collective imitation and corporal expression in order to guarantee their creative participation. Learnings have concrete elements (songs and repertoire) that help to understand achievement and work as a resource to live again the experience through memory.
Taller Obert is a stable program and, at the same time, every year the group transforms itself: new colleagues come, some of them leave and every three years Taller Obert has a final restitution for all of them. There are some exceptions, and Covid has interfered with this structure in some cases. Reunion and routine has a strong meaning in their temporal community. A meal (breakfast) is offered at each session, and is a key moment when professionals and non-professionals share and communicate as equals and a relaxed atmosphere is prompted: a good moment to resolve conflicts.
Apart from the regular sessions, other activities are also carried out when possible: public performances, occasional instrumental reinforcement, attendance at musical shows, visits to rehearsals and productions, training and practices and personalised training within workshops, special courses and master classes.
Two concerts take place every June and December together with volunteer musicians. They have a deep meaning for them, their relatives and friends. Here two examples of last year: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJpVfHPAOWE; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmq9nqhsaqg
Some visions from participants:
“It is a space where I can relate to music, which is a passion I have had for many years, it has brought me stability in a certain emotional way and of all kinds.”
“It has brought me a connection, more desire. Every time with music I have a stronger connection with myself. Something about security too, obviously, and with confidence too.”
“For me, music is finding myself in a certain way.”
“Is what you do, what gives you the air, what has given me power, the power to decide on a day-to-day basis, the power to solve many situations that I did not understand because, well, the same social problem.”
“We are taking the first steps, it's about learning and enjoying, and especially enjoying”
“What I would like is to be with people, share music and feel at ease.”
“What music gives you is the possibility of power, of being able to work from within on all the things that you are experiencing because of the outside.”
“We danced again; we have to learn to dance again.”
1. All of them are in a process of reintegration after having received care in prisons, drug treatment residences, reception service for homeless people, reception service for immigrants and refugees, etc.
https://tallerdemusics.com/en/social-projects/taller-obert/
About Bunkern Bokar
Bunkern Bokar is an innovative booking agency based in Gothenburg, Sweden. It works with a dual purpose:
- promoting professional jazz groups from Gothenburg;
- educating and preparing persons with disabilities for a career in the music industry. Learning by doing!
Not many jazz groups in Sweden have the opportunity to be represented by a booking agency, most musicians do all the booking themselves. But of course they would all be very happy if they could get someone else to do that job, and only focus on the artistic development of the band.
On the other hand many persons with disabilities have difficulties finding a job. The labour market is constantly more and more streamlined,which leaves a lot of people behind. Persons that could be perfectly fit for many duties - with the right training and support.
Bunkern Bokar is providing this support!
For 4 years Bunkern Bokar has been running as a project funded by the Swedish Inheritance Fund. During these years 15-20 persons have taken part in the training to become a booking agent. This practical training has consisted of everything from contacting bands, making agreements, building a webpage, learning a CRM system, calling venues, making films, social media plans, networking You name it..!! Everything it takes to promote our bands. We have also initiated concerts and festivals which we have been curating and financing. All with a focus on gender equality. A lot of emphasis has been on getting every individual to feel comfortable, to provide the right conditions for everyone to perform according to their individual ability. And - at the same time create a good work environment for the group.
We have so far booked over 100 gis for our musicians. All over Sweden.
In 2025 we will transform from a project to a social enterprise. This is the next step in our journey, for a more inclusive music industry. The best way to support us is to book our bands!! That's how we make money, and can survive in the future.
A quote from Pontus Langendorf, producer at Scenkonst Sörmland: “Bunkern Bokar is an extremely committed and professional business. In all interactions that I have had both over the phone and via email, the employees at Bunkern Bokar have been attentive and efficient in responding to my wishes and needs. The music industry in Sweden largely lacks the important infrastructure between artists and organisers/buyers/bookers, a gap that Bunkern Bokar fills with the services offered. The project should develop into a permanent activity and has the potential to function as a model for how similar activities could be built up…”
https://coompanion.se/goteborgsregionen/
