Congratulations to the National Youth Jazz Orchestra celebrating fifty years

Pete Allen Jazz Band Dates May 2025 Here is the newsletter for May. The band has recently completed their latest album which will be released in September and launced at the Pizza Express, Dean Street London. Here are the details: 4th November at 8pm – doors open at 6pm. Here is a link https://www.pizzaexpresslive.com/whats-on/pete-allen In May Pete…

Response to the National Lottery Good Causes: Fund What Matters to You call for evidence.  1 Introduction In the interest of transparency and ensuring that the crucial issues facing jazz and grassroots music in England are effectively tackled, this response addresses key consultation points on arts lottery funding rather than using the standard online questionnaire. 1.1…

The leader article, “Ministers have come to the rescue. Artists must seize this chance” in the Guardian on the 2nd June (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/jul/06/the-guardian-view-on-15bn-for-the-arts-the-shows-will-go-on) sounds reasonable till you analyse the Arts Council’s 10 year strategy “Lets Create”. “Let’s Create” reads as if written by people remote from the practical issues  which the arts face every day and…

Open consultation on Copyright and Artificial Intelligence + The Culture, Media and Sport Committee State of Play Consultation Ambrose Bierce in the Devil’s Dictionary said consultation is “to seek another’s approval of a course already decided on”. there is some truth in that,  but then if you don’t respond,  the cosultation will truly be a lost…

Further details on the review of Arts Council England An independent review of the Arts Council England (ACE) covering strategic objectives, working relationships and partnerships, and the relationship between ACE and government. This call for evidence closes at midday on 24 April 2025 Full details are available here  The result from my freedom of Information enquiry…

Press Release Nominations announced for the All Party Parliamentary Jazz Awards 2025 The nominations have today been announced for the 2025 Parliamentary Jazz Awards. The Awards, are organised by the All Party Parliamentary Jazz Group (APPJG) and supported by the Musicians’ Union and UK Music. The recipients of the 2025 Parliamentary Jazz Awards will be…