Jazz from Scotland and Music From Ireland combine forces for joint Jazzahead! 2018

Jazzahead! is one of the most important international professional markets for jazz and improvised music, taking place in Bremen, Germany from 18-22nd April 2018.

Improvised Music Company, working through its export bureau Culture Ireland, will collaborate with Jazz From Scotland and create a joint ‘Jazz From Scotland and Ireland’ stand at this important industry event in April.

Chair of Jazz From Scotland, Kim Macari and Improvised Music Company’s director Kenneth Killeen both joined the board of Jazz Promotion Network (JPN) in May 2017. JPN’s mission is to advance and support professional development, information exchange and partnership opportunities for the Irish and UK jazz industry, it’s artists and audiences.

Shortly after joining the board, both members saw an opportunity to significantly augment each others influence by combining forces to create a shared presence at jazzahead!

"This project feels like a very tangible and direct way that two national bodies can work together and make an impact, pooling our resources and time to make something bigger than we could achieve separately." - Kim Macari, Jazz From Scotland

Working together to put Irish and Scottish front and centre for European promoters, the shared stand will increase visibility of the respective jazz ecologies of Ireland and Scotland, their key festivals, organisations and of course, artists, with the aim to generate work abroad for Scottish and Irish jazz and other creative improvisers, and put our organisational representations on a par with colleagues in Europe.

“We want to put Ireland firmly on the map for European promoters, agents and festivals. Consolidating our assets and exports and generating meaningful engagement, both with each other and with the European jazz scene is mutually beneficial. Together with Jazz From Scotland, we have twice the impact and double the opportunity for Irish and Scottish artists working abroad." - Kenneth Killeen, IMC

During the event, through respective bursaries awarded to musicians, promoters and organisations, as well the provision of detailed information on artists, organisations and events, both countries aim to make a strong and lasting impact at the 2018 edition of jazzahead!

With thanks to the support of the respective agencies of Creative Scotland, Culture Ireland and The Irish Arts Council.

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Jazzahead! Some Facts & Figures: The 4-day event attracts more than 3000 industry attendees from over 55 countries, including hundreds of concert and festival bookers, labels, publishers, distributors, managers and the world's media. Since its formation in 2006 jazzahead! has become the principal annual showcase for the jazz industry throughout Europe and increasingly Asia, and the US. In 2017 this specialist trade fair welcomed 1,356 exhibiting companies, and 3,169 participants were registered, with 17,664 people in attendance at the Showcase performances.

Opportunities for Irish Artists at Jazzahead

As part of Improvised Music Company’s commitment to supporting the jazz sector both at home and abroad, we are pleased to announce that this year we can offer Irish-based musicians two ways to be part of the event;

- Bursaries from Culture Ireland (3 bursaries available for Irish-based musicians)

- Digital Showcasing for Irish and Scottish acts, including audio and video playlists

Bursaries

Culture Ireland’s Jazzahead! bursaries are aimed at those artists and labels who have a track record of achievement in the contemporary jazz genre.

Further Info and How to Apply here.

The deadline for proposals is Friday 2nd March 2018.

Digital Showcase of Scottish and Irish jazz

Artists and ensembles are invited to upload a music track/video to be included as part of our digital showcase of Scottish and Irish jazz.

The Playlist will be shared throughout Jazzahead and made available to download by festival directors and broadcasters.

Add your track, video, bio and photograph here