Big Bear British Jazz Awards - an observation - Entrepreneur Generations

Good to see saxwoman Karen Sharp, recently at Sheffield Jazz and this Thursday at Jazz Leeds, winning Best Tenor in the Big Bear "British Jazz Awards" today. Also Alison Raynor (3rd in bass) and Deirdre Cartwright (5th guitar) and Nikki Iles (2nd piano)

But that, folks, is it. Out of the 35 total placings for the 7 instruments, precisely 4 are women. And no women aged under 48. Not even a 5th place or two. No Tori Freestone, Alcyona Mick, Rosie Turton, our first WJL concerts - no sign. At least Alex Clarke and Flo Moore got in as rising stars, but no sign of Alex Ridout or Laura Jurd in the trumpet section. Shirley Tetteh is another glaring omission, as is Cassie Kinoshi..we could go on.

You can say that any recognition that jazz musicians get is better than none. Let's hope that the Parliamentary Awards (due out tommorow) are a bit younger, more diverse. Whether this will ever change is a moot point. Things like the Women Jazz Leaders series of JazzLeeds and the Women Make Music series at Jazz North East in Newcastle could help, as will the programming of festivals in the region like Marsden and Manchester and the longer term "Jazz Camp for Girls" project of Jazz North. But the list of winners isn't because there are not many good women players out there. Maybe the British Jazz Awards nomination panel need a boot up the backside...!?

https://www.bigbearmusic.com/2019-british-jazz-awards-results-announced