Help Musicians, the independent charity for professional musicians, is offering £20,000 of career support through the Peter Whittingham Jazz Award.
Now in its 30th year, the award has supported dozens of jazz musicians who are at a tipping point in their careers including Soweto Kinch, Errollyn Wallen MBE, Dave O’Higgins, Gwilym Simcock and Roller Trio.
This year the amount has been doubled so three acts will each receive £5000 and tailored one-to-one business advice sessions from industry experts. An additional £5000 will be offered as Help Musicians Development Awards for applicants demonstrating real potential in jazz music.
Further to this, awardees will be offered access to health resources through Help Musicians partner organisation, the British Association of Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM). BAPAM specialises in a range of performance music conditions, including vocal and hearing health issues and mental health.
The award was endowed by the survival medicine expert, pianist and jazz fan Peter Whittingham. Awardees usually apply for the award to help with touring costs or completion of recordings, but Help Musicians is particularly sensitive to the needs of musicians in the current crisis.
In a statement, Help Musicians said, ‘At a time when the landscape is so challenging yet the scene so vibrant, Help Musicians has increased its investment so as to support jazz artists across the breadth of their needs… We know that now, more than ever before, musicians need vital funding to support their creative practice, their independent business models and to innovate in response to the ever-changing global situation.’
Applications are open until Monday 12 October 2020 and can be made via the Help Musicians website.
