Air Artist Agency launch “LetterOne ‘Rising Stars’ Jazz Award”

Written by | Competions, News

Making a name for yourself as a jazz musician on the European stage these days requires, talent and a great deal of hard work. Of equal importance is to have an effective marketing and promotional strategy to stand out from the competition, and a dynamic presence on the international ‘live’ scene.

Providing those opportunities, commitment, expertise and support to make it happen is what the “LetterOne ‘Rising Stars’ Jazz Award” is all about. Open to artists from all over Europe, the competition is a golden opportunity for a European musician to access the International stage.

Set to become a significant event in the European jazz calendar, the “LetterOne ‘Rising Stars’ Jazz Award” benefit’s from the sponsorship and dedicated backing of Mikhail Fridman, an international businessman, investor, and philanthropist. Fridman is a self confessed jazz fan; the founder of the international Alfa Jazz festival held in Lviv (renamed this year the Leopolis Jazz Festival), and a frequent visitor to Jazz festivals around the world.

The long-term aim of the annual competition is to propel the musical career of an outstanding young Jazz musician and enable them to quickly find an audience. It is an investment in Europe’s brightest Jazz talents.

The winner of the competition will be awarded with a remarkable once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for International ‘live’ exposure – at Europe’s top Jazz festivals and benefit from the powerful marketing and PR expertise of the award-winning artist agency Air Artist Agency, whose director Burkhard Hopper has a long-standing experience in introducing new artists. For 9 years he ran the Rising Stars concert series, that – among others – introduced artists such as Diana Krall, Brad Mehldau, Nicholas Payton, Jane Monheit and Esbjörn Svensson.

In November, this year, a 5-person jury chaired by Mikhail Fridman and made up of internationally renowned artists, high-profile journalists, and industry executives (representing both the creative and marketing aspects of the decision), will gather together to discuss and ultimately select a winner.

Commenting on the launch of the L1 Rising Stars Award Mikhail Fridman said:

“I love Jazz. It’s part of my life. We are looking for up and coming jazz musicians – for new talent, who are just starting as young professionals – and want to help them on their way to become the jazz stars of tomorrow… Today´s jazz market is very fragmented, with many individuals working in small operations who run festivals, clubs (often on voluntary basis), labels and distributors, as well as agencies. We want to help grow the next generation of Jazz artists and enable them to realize their potential.”

THE AWARD

The winning musician will be taken on “Rising Stars Jazz Award” tour and given the opportunity to perform concerts at some of Europe’s most prestigious Jazz festivals in 2018, playing before tens of thousands of fans and the creme de la creme of the Jazz music industry. Tour expenses will be covered, and a dedicated promotion and marketing team will ensure the winner’s name is spread far and wide, from the moment the judges make their choice until the following year´s final summer show. The rising star tour, agent and marketing support equates to a monetary value in excess of €75,000, making the prize the most valuable Jazz award in the World. And perhaps the most useful.

SUBMISSION

For artists wishing to apply there are three steps:

1. Submission (September-October)
The submission stage requires artists to submit biographical material, photographs, three sound samples and one video link via web upload that illustrates their music. Deadline for all submissions is midnight on October 28. The website for uploads is available here.

2. Performance (November)
The 5 artists selected by the jury from the submissions received at Stage 1 are invited to perform in front of the jury and an audience in a London venue.

3. Announcement (November)
The winner will be officially announced at the end of the live performance.

For more information visit the LetterOne ‘Rising Stars website.

Last modified: July 15, 2018