IMC partners in collaborative European project Jazz Connective 2019-2020

IMC is a partner in a collaborative artist-focused project called Jazz Connective taking place during 2019 and 2020 across seven partner European cities. This has been achieved with support from the Creative Europe-Culture Cooperation fund and is led by the French organisation, Le Périscope.

What is Jazz Connective?

Jazz Connective is a collaborative artistic and professional exchange project between seven different European organisations. Through this project, artists and organizations will share artists, resources, information and best practices towards a strong future for jazz across Europe.

The 6 partner countries are Ireland, France, Slovenia, Finland, Poland and 2 from the UK; Birmingham and London.

Jazz Connective will create activities and opportunities for Irish musicians, promoters, venues, journalists, educators and other key jazz stakeholders in Ireland, and abroad, as well as a two-day “highlight” festival in Dublin in December.

Jazz Connective is designed to sustainably strengthen our artistic scenes, composed of promoters and producers, musicians and professionals, including :

• Druga Godba festival (Ljubljana, Slovenia)

• Vapaat äänet Agency (Helsinki, Finland)

• Improvised Music Company (Dublin, Ireland)

• Performances Birmingham (Birmingham, England)

• New Vortex Jazz Club (London, England)

• Wytwórnia Foundation (Łódź, Poland)

• Le Périscope (Lyon, France)

How are IMC involved?

The main thrust of Jazz Connective will be performances for artists in each of the 7 cities in 2019 and 2020. Tied to these performances are additional opportunities for artists such as residencies and artistic collaborations. The third aspect of Jazz Connective is professional exchanges and discussions about our sector in the form of workshops and a series of round-table discussions on topics such as industry sustainability, new media, transnational mobility, and audience development whilst also dealing with local, national and international challenges. All of these round tables will be recorded and shared so that everyone can build on any work created through this 2-year project. IMC will have Irish artists performing in many of these cities, through their respective “highlights”.

The first of these is in May 2019 in Ljubljana, followed by Lodz in July, Helsinki in October, Dublin in December with 2020 events in Birmingham, London, and Lyon.

Guitarist Shane Latimer kicks things off with a solo performance in Ljubljana at Druga Godba festival on the 22nd May, as well as taking part in a 3-day residency including collaborative and workshop activity with the other artists from partner countries. IMC Director Kenneth Killeen will be leading a round-table discussion in Ljubljana focusing on artist circulation and transnational networks, while journalist & filmmaker Cormac Larkin and radio presenter & festival director Ellen Cranitch will take part in a round table discussion on the role of media in the 21st century.

In December 2019, Jazz Connective will be hosted by IMC in Dublin, presenting a 2-day event with concerts featuring Irish and international artists, workshops, and round-table discussions.

Jazz Connective is a unique export opportunity for Irish artists, and the industry-focused events will allow IMC to continue to promote Irish jazz to festivals and bookers across Europe.

The Dublin event in December 2019 will be a perfect opportunity for IMC and the Irish jazz scene to engage with other musicians, promoters and industry professionals from across Europe, setting up lines of communication for future touring. Further information will be announced in late summer.