BBC Young Jazz Musician: the Final - BBC4 tomorrow

[Serial_Apologist]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0025gbw

[Serial_Apologist]

Did anyone else watch this? I wasn't too impressed until they reached the final get-together, when genuine camaraderie (had to look up the spelling) encouraged sparks to emerge at last, particularly for the open final two choruses when prior encouragement to throw ideas around brought out the best in all the contestants. That in turn revealed the not especially supportive character of the official backing group, whom one felt had been instructed to play it safe on grounds that more back line stimulus would have been seen as preferential, though this did not stop them from waking up for the trumpeter. I was surprised the bass player won, but that probably had most to do with the fact that I fell asleep for most of her set, only waking up in the last few minutes, together with my TV having very poor sound, so while I've got the link up I might have another go tomorrow. I would have awarded the 18-year old trumpet player, who showed a daring penchant for knotty rhythmic intercutting, while less sure about what Laura Jurd (one of the jurdges) described as her slow vibrato. Her choice of the Freddie Hubbard number was maybe inappropriate, inviting inevitable comparisons as it inevitably would. Time will tell in what direction she goes - towards the cooler manner well manifested in her chosen ballad or towards a hotter style requiring of a more varied vocabulary. The Irish pianist was okaaaaay, if rather lacking in originality in his own trio, but he made up for it, getting stuck in for the jam finale. The tenor player has some way to go to establish a strong voice of his own.

[Nick Armstrong]

Did anyone else watch this? I wasn't too impressed until they reached the final get-together, when genuine camaraderie (had to look up the spelling) encouraged sparks to emerge at last, particularly for the open final two choruses when prior encouragement to throw ideas around brought out the best in all the contestants.

Just listened through my recording (can’t claim to have heard it all) but my impression was identical to yours. I couldn’t pretend to have sufficient wherewithal to assess the final decision. I enjoyed the bass player a lot though.

Good mood-setter for a trip to Café Oto tomorrow evening to hear David Murray

[anorak]

I watched some of the final of this contest and was unimpressed. OK the contestants are still young but I thought they didn't yet possess the "feel" of jazz. All rather stiff and polite without the swagger and swing that jazz usually requires (excluding free jazz). I'd have gone for the pianist who had a bit more swagger. Am I right in thinking that over the last few years the trophy has been won by 2 bass players? If so, then it doesn't say much for the quality of young BBC jazz. Sorry bass players but the bass is the least charismatic instrument in the jazz line-up (unless you're Mingus, Scott LaFaro and Jaco). This contest is crippled by wokery. There, I said it...

[Serial_Apologist]

Listening on iplayer I have to concede to Ursula Harrison's right to the winner of the competition - much as I hate music competitions, especially in jazz as competing of any kind seems so diametrically opposed to what jazz is about to my mind. She combines great tone and can only develop that, bringing a selflessness that puts the music first which was clearly evidenced from her reaction to receiving the prize. Hopefully we'll get to hear more about, as well as from her. Mention should also go to Zoe Rahman - her McCoy Tyner influences a lucky choice for accompanist in this instance.

[Ian Thumwood]

From the clips on line Ursula Harrison sounds really good. I have to disagree with most in here as the clips of her playing in YouTube are impressive. She already has a decent CV.

I am not a fan of competitions either but recognise that they are necessary for media attention that would otherwise be missing. I did not watch the programme but do think Zoe Rahman is a brilliant jazz musician. Nikki Yeoh is great as well and I also would add a bubbly and fun person. These musicians have been around for years so don't expect Harrison to change jazz over night . I did not see the programme and cannot comment on the others.

[Serial_Apologist]

From the clips on line Ursula Harrison sounds really good. I have to disagree with most in here as the clips of her playing in YouTube are impressive. She already has a decent CV.

I am not a fan of competitions either but recognise that they are necessary for media attention that would otherwise be missing. I did not watch the programme but do think Zoe Rahman is a brilliant jazz musician. Nikki Yeoh is great as well and I also would add a bubbly and fun person. These musicians have been around for years so don't expect Harrison to change jazz over night . I did not see the programme and cannot comment on the others.

Worth watching on the iplayer, if you have time, Ian. You can always fast forward through the less interesting contestants.

[Alyn_Shipton]

The final was an interesting contrast with the Classic fm rising stars on Sky Arts last night. The level of musicianship of trumpeter Aaron Azunda Akugbo and cellist Philipp Schupelius was simply astonishing.

[Serial_Apologist]

The final was an interesting contrast with the Classic fm rising stars on Sky Arts last night. The level of musicianship of trumpeter Aaron Azunda Akugbo and cellist Philipp Schupelius was simply astonishing.

OK, thanks Alyn. Haven't attempted access to past Sky Arts progs - now's maybe the time.

[Tenor Freak]

Perhaps the next BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year should be competed as an old-fashioned cutting contest rather than as a classical-style individual recital. But I have to agree with S_A that this isn't the greatest format to encourage young musicians to strive for excellence in the music. Remember Andy Sheppard coming second in the Schlitz jazz contest?

[Ian Thumwood]

The Itchy Fingers victory over Andy Sheppard was a defining moment in 1980s uk jazz. I thi k Nartin Speake was a member of the former but recall the programme being part of a suite of jazz programmes that followed the old festival in London. I cam remember watching it with my Dad and thinking it was all crap.

Ultimately it did not adversely affect Sheppard's career which had already been going on prior to the contest. Just as now, there was masses of substandard jazz going on which has long since been forgotten. Sheppard is very much part of the mainstream but interesting to see jazz become more legitimate these days although the general public is less interested in it.

[Tenor Freak]

The Itchy Fingers victory over Andy Sheppard was a defining moment in 1980s uk jazz. I thi k Nartin Speake was a member of the former but recall the programme being part of a suite of jazz programmes that followed the old festival in London. I cam remember watching it with my Dad and thinking it was all crap.

Ultimately it did not adversely affect Sheppard's career which had already been going on prior to the contest. Just as now, there was masses of substandard jazz going on which has long since been forgotten. Sheppard is very much part of the mainstream but interesting to see jazz become more legitimate these days although the general public is less interested in it.

Martin Speake was indeed in Itchy Fingers, though most of the composing and arranging was by Mike Mower. His "Hiatus" band was very good and I saw them a couple of times in Twickenham.

The main consequence of the Schlitz contest was that Andy Sheppard got a deal with Antilles Records on the back of that performance; they then appointed Steve Swallow as producer of the "eponymous" debut LP...and the rest is history.