The shortlist for this year’s All Party Parliamentary Jazz Awards includes staff from both Leeds Conservatoire and Leeds Junior Conservatoire.
Karen Gourlay, Head of Leeds Junior Conservatoire
Karen Gourlay, Head of Leeds Junior Conservatoire, is nominated for the Jazz Education Award. This is for an educator or project for raising the standard of jazz education in the UK.
As an educator, Karen has a wealth of experience working with young musicians and guiding them to make the transition into higher education. She believes providing a range of high-quality musical experiences for young people is vital to raising aspirations and supporting musical development.
Ubunye headlining a LEEDS 2023 event in Roundhay Park
Joining Karen on the shortlist are BA (Hons) Music (Jazz) lecturer Steve Hanley and Leeds Junior Conservatoire tutors Dave Evans and Nik Svarc, as members of Ubunye. The band, comprised of Zulu performers and seasoned musicians from the UK, has been nominated in two categories; Jazz Ensemble of the Year, plus Jazz Album of the Year for their self-titled debut.
Ubunye delivers a soulful, goose bump inducing performance of original pieces cleverly fused with South African songs.
The All Party Parliamentary Jazz Awards celebrate and recognise the vibrancy, diversity, talent and breadth of the jazz scene throughout the UK, and the award categories reflect the ever-increasing scope of talent from within the UK’s jazz scene.
Following the online public vote for the Awards, the shortlist was then voted upon by a selection panel, that represent a broad cross-section of backgrounds united in their passion and knowledge of jazz. The winners, chosen by judging members of the All Party Parliamentary Jazz Group, will be announced at a ceremony on Tuesday 4 July at PizzaExpress Live, Holborn.
Update: Congratulations to Ubunye for winning Jazz Ensemble of the Year.
