For most budding jazz musicians, the thought of performing with some of the genre's biggest stars is a pleasant daydream--but one that is seemingly unattainable.
PureSolo and Jazz FM have teamed up to make that dream a reality for a chosen few, in a unique series of competitions that will culminate with six winners being mentored by, and performing live with, three of the UK's finest Jazz musicians: Snake Davis, Dennis Rollins and Steve Waterman.
Competition entry requires contestants to record themselves singing or playing along with the artists' original backing tracks using the online recording platform at PureSolo.com. Following submission to the site, entries can be played and rated by other web users.
The eventual winners will be chosen by a panel and invited for a mentoring session with Snake, Dennis or Steve; before going on to perform with the artist at one of a series of gigs at select venues including the Pizza Express Jazz Club in London's Soho and the Hay Festival.
PureSolo co-founder John Thirkell, himself an ex-member of both the Gil Evans Orchestra and Buddy Rich Band, says “PureSolo provides a great platform for musicians to record and share their talents, and what better way to develop and extend that sharing than to have the opportunity to play with some of the biggest stars in jazz at such world renowned venues"
Richard Wheatly, Chief Executive of Jazz FM says “At Jazz FM we're always on the lookout for innovative ideas to offer to our listeners as well as different ways to promote new jazz talent. We think PureSolo is a great way for budding musicians to share in the jazz music experience and as such, we are very excited to be working together on this project."
The competitions will run as three separate events ending in June. Entry is at www.puresolo.com
About PureSolo
PureSolo provides the opportunity for singers and musicians of all abilities to record their own performances using just a microphone and computer. With over 20,000 licensed backing tracks and PureSolo's free online recording platform, users can record themselves within minutes and share the results in either audio or video format within the PureSolo community, other social networks such as Facebook, or alternatively save their recordings as CD or mp3 for their own personal use.
About Jazz FM
Jazz FM is the UK's leading broadcaster of jazz, blues, soul and funk. Originally founded in 1990, Jazz FM was re-launched in 2008 and celebrated its first anniversary as an independent company in October 2009.
One year on from its re-launch after a three-year absence, the station has not only far exceeded its own projected listening figures, it has also become the fastest growing radio station in the UK and the most listened-to digital radio station in London. Latest RAJAR figures (February 2010) give Jazz FM, which broadcasts on DAB (digital radio), satellite and via the internet, a weekly audience of 446,000 in the UK. Jazz FM's worldwide internet audience listens via the company's website, jazzfm.com, and through mobile apps which are available for iPhone, Android and selected BlackBerry and Nokia handsets.
