The UK and Ireland’s only jazz-specific network of creatives and industry professionals announces dates for its forthcoming annual conference on the 19th and 20th November, as part of this year’s EFG London Jazz Festival.
Taking place from the UK’s capital city and made available online, the JPN’s annual conference will feature industry roundtables, presentations, artist showcases and networking opportunities for everyone working in the jazz sector. In an effort to reopen dialogue and facilitate the sharing of perspectives, JPN will be drawing together expertise from across their membership and beyond to come up with tangible solutions to help overcome the after-effects of the pandemic and to help foster strong relationships with our European partners in the wake of Brexit.
JPN is also delighted to announce the support of one of its members, Serious, organisers of the EFG London Jazz Festival, to help host the conference.
Pelin Opcin, Director of Programming at Serious, writes:
“We are thrilled to join forces with JPN and looking forward to being surrounded by the big jazz family to create the highly anticipated moment of finally coming together with our scene and community, around the Festival. Excited by the prospect of inspiring conversations, creative exchange and experiencing music together.”
This year, delegates at the conference will be invited to the Take Five showcase (part of Serious’ flagship development programme), featuring some of the most talented emerging creative jazz musicians in the UK, with more details being released soon.
“As a community, it feels as though we are in the starting blocks, poised and ready, awaiting the starting pistol,” says JPN chair Kim Macari.
“A return to in-person events, gatherings and cultural events feels closer than it has done for a long time.”
“As an alumnus of the Take Five programme, it’s also a pleasure to be working in association with Serious and their Take Five event in November, which will feature brilliant artists and their ensembles from the past two editions of the programme.”
Due to the ongoing and devastating effects of the pandemic, we have had to postpone our partnership with Moving on Music and plans to host this year’s conference in Belfast. However, JPN remains committed to returning to Northern Ireland in 2022, with more information to be released next year.
“It’s been a difficult decision to postpone our partnership with Moving on Music as this year’s conference host” Kim Macari continues. “However we’re grateful that it’s a plan we can revisit next year. I’m really looking forward to our conference this year though; we have endured such change in the past 18 months that we have a lot to talk about.”
This year’s conference will be free to all current members. JPN is also making tickets available to non-members and encouraging all those working within the jazz and improvised music industry to attend where possible.
If you’re not already a member and want to guarantee a ticket for this year’s conference, head to the JPN’s website to sign-up as a member. Details on how to register for the conference will be released in the coming weeks for non-members.
Contact Joe Roberts comms@jazzpromotionnetwork.org.uk / 07551604050 for more information.
Read more about the festival here https://efglondonjazzfestival.org.uk/about-the-festival