Jazz Directors Series #003: Call out for musicians deadline extended

Band on the Wall and Brighter Sound are thrilled to announce that pianist, composer and bandleader Zoe Rahman will lead our third much acclaimed Jazz Directors Series residency and tour from 15-22 October 2017.

Application deadline extended until Monday 28 August.

Described by the Observer as “a remarkable pianist by any standard”, pianist and composer Zoe Rahman has firmly established herself as one of the brightest stars on the contemporary jazz scene. A vibrant and highly individual artist, her style is deeply rooted in jazz yet it reflects her classical background, British/Bengali heritage and her very broad musical taste. Known for her powerful technique, wide-ranging imagination and exuberant performances, she has become a highly sought-after musician, recently working with the likes of George Mraz, Courtney Pine and Jerry Dammers’ Spatial AKA Orchestra. She is a winner of the prestigious UK Parliamentary Jazz Award, and has been nominated for the Mercury Music Prize.

Zoe has performed extensively around the world, has been a featured artist on numerous television and radio programmes, and is frequently invited to sit on high-profile panels – most notably the Mercury Music Prize, BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year and the Nottingham International Jazz Piano competition.

We are looking for ten young professional jazz musicians to form the latest iteration of the Inner City Ensemble. Over one week this evolving group will rehearse and perform works composed and recorded by Rahman including new arrangements of some tunes from her most recent solo piano album Dreamland. 

“I’m really looking forward to working with open-minded improvising artists who have a strong grounding in jazz, a deep sense of groove and who like to listen to a wide range of musical styles. There will be opportunities for all of the musicians to shine individually as well as contribute to the ensemble as a whole. Hopefully the project will be challenging, rewarding and above all fun for all of us.” – Zoe Rahman

For this residency and tour we are looking for a diverse range of emerging professional jazz musicians aged over 18 who play to a very high standard (graduate equivalent and above) with excellent improvisation and reading skills and who can reference drum&bass, afro-beat and township jazz among other styles.

Band on the Wall and Brighter Sound are committed to greater cultural diversity and pluralism within our residencies and wider activity, and strongly encourage applications from female and minority candidates. All applications are judged primarily on musical merit. This is a paid professional engagement.

Apply Now

Click here to apply now.

Instruments

Accompanying Zoe Rahman on Piano, the Inner City Ensemble will be:

• Double Bass*
• Drums*
• Flute (doubling on alto flute)
• Clarinet
• Trumpet
• Alto Sax
• Tenor Sax
• Trombone
• Tuba
  *a good working knowledge of drum & bass, afrobeat and township jazz styles is particularly preferable on these instruments.

Applicant Information

Applicants must:

• Be over 18 years of age
• Play one or more of the instruments listed to a high professional standard (graduate equivalent and above)
• Be a fluent music notation reader
• Be a jazz specialist demonstrating a high level of improvisation skill and versatility across a diverse range of ethnic jazz styles
• Be available for the whole rehearsal and performance period

Dates: Sun 15 – Sun 22 Oct 2017
Residency and first performance: Sun 15 – Thurs 19 Oct 2017 in Morecambe
Tour: Fri 20 – Sun 22 Oct 2017 with accommodation in Manchester (transport provided)

Travel and accommodation costs will be covered where appropriate.

Application Deadline Extended

Midnight, Monday 28 August.

Successful applicants will be informed w/c Monday 4 September.

Fees and expenses

Each person will receive £650 for the whole week plus expenses.

Expenses

• 1 x rail fare (or fuel expenses) to Morecambe from your home location, arriving on Sun 15 October, departing from Manchester on Mon 23 Oct.
• Accommodation and tour coach transport from 15-22 Oct.

If you have any questions please contact Tim Chatterton at Brighter Sound by email or call 0161 830 3899.

Apply Now

Click here to apply now.