MEDIA RELEASE

TheZfactor contest at Bournemouth Jazz Festival

This year's Bournemouth Jazz Festival, taking place 22^nd- 24^thApril is launching a new exciting contest aimed at young musicians and supported by the John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation (JTYAF). Several local schools and colleges have already signed up to compete in the event which as part of the Jazz Festival will giveyoung players a real opportunity to develop their skills and work with professional musicians.

The event forms part of an education programme featuring jazz workshop opportunities for young musicians in the morning run by professional musicians. These will include sax, trombone, keyboards, guitar and vocals. Pete Thornton, Chair of the JTYAF said "The Foundationhas chosen to support the Festival because we believe that young people should be encouraged to develop their talents and this Festival is opening a door that otherwise would not have been available to them. It is a fabulous opportunity."

Festival Director, Gerry Clarke says "We are delighted to receive support from the Trustees of the JTYAF. One of the Festival's aims is to encourage young people to take up playing a musical instrument and achieve something that will be of benefit to their future lives. There is nothing more inspirational than learning to play a musical instrument."

The Z Factor contest takes place on Sunday 24th April in the Bournemouth Pavilion Ballroom from 2.00 to 5.30pm. Participating individuals, duo, trios and larger groups will be judged and given feedback from an expert panel of judges.

There are three entry categories for young people aged 11-14, 15-18 and 19-24. These are divided into ‘established performers' and ‘beginners' so that everyone has a chance to participate. The whole day aims to be fun and inclusive so that local young musicians can develop further their skills in the jazz genre. The only condition is that the musicians must bring their own instruments and have been playing for a year or more.

A culminating Awards Ceremony with Concert in the evening will feature The Dorset Youth Jazz Orchestra and the Bournemouth University Big Band plus special guests.

An entry form for the contest and more information can be obtained by contacting Alex Wills, Education Programme Coordinator: T/: 07507 809622 or E/:alexicon4@yahoo.com.

Tickets for various jazz performances including that of headliners Ginger Baker and fabulous singers including Jacqui Dankworth, Tina May and Zoe Schwarz can be booked through The Bournemouth Jazz Festival website:www.bournemouthjazzfestival.co.ukor through the BH Live websitewww.bhlivetickets.co.uk/Online/default.asp.

Picture Captions: The Bournemouth Jazz Festival wants young musicians to see if they have what it takes to put the "Z" into Jazz! ©Lucy Mooney, Studio 11 Photography

More Press Information and hi res images from Jane Adkins, A Head for PR Ltd, T/: 01935 813114 or E/:jane@aheadforpr.co.uk

BJF 02 (Feb 2016)

Note to Editors

The John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation (JTYAF) supports young people in a wide range of youth organisations in Dorset and provides them with scholarships and Bursaries to support their personal development and the pursuit of their ambitions. Recipients are selected for their commitment to their chosen activities and for demonstrating the Foundations core values of courage, determination, unselfishness and cheerfulness in adversity.

The JTYAF was set up in 2008 to honour the memory of John Thornton a young Royal Marines Officer from Ferndown who was tragically killed at the age of 22 whilst serving in Afghanistan.