Save UK Grassroots Jazz

My name is Nigel Price and I’m one of the UK’s foremost jazz guitarists.

I have to inform you that there is a crisis in the UK grassroots jazz infrastructure. Virtually none of the government’s well publicised and well meaning £1.57Billion Culture Recovery Fund managed to trickle down to the clubs that make up some 95% of the entire jazz scene. Clubs and even entire festivals are beginning to close as a direct result of this. THIS MUST STOP.

In February I wrote to the Culture Secretary, Nadine Dorries, with the backing of 68 other Parliamentary Jazz Award recipients, including Dame Cleo Laine, to plead for more funding in a bid to avert disaster in this vital part of our culture, but it fell on deaf ears. You can read that exchange here https://nigethejazzer.com/dcms/ace

Sure, it’s possible to apply for a grant but the current Arts Council grant system is nightmarish, unwieldy and sees the applications from amateur promoters’ pitted against those of professional bid writers. Failure is almost guaranteed. It’s an impossible situation and it is costing us our heritage.

We can cut through the red tape.

WE CAN FIX THIS!

All monies raised here will be distributed DIRECT to those grassroots promoters to enable them to do what they do best.

Too much lottery funding is hoovered up by salaries and operating costs but this way we can go DIRECT TO THE SOURCE.

I’ve always said that if I had a million quid I could sort out the entire UK jazz scene. Not just for me but for all of us.

I see it as our duty to leave a functioning scene for the next generation and I will do everything I can to see that this happens but I need YOUR help.

Are you with me?