MEDIA RELEASE

 Brittany Ferries to promote jazz on Cross Channel Ferries

Bournemouth Jazz Festival is delighted to announce Brittany Ferries has agreed to award a special travel prize to the winners of the Jazz Factor, a competition for young musicians taking place in the Pavilion Ballroom on Sunday 24^thApril as part of this year's Bournemouth Jazz Festival. Jane Mercer from the Brittany Ferries Community Relations Team said, "Brittany Ferries are proud to support the Bournemouth Jazz Festival and look forward to greeting the winning jazz band on board."

This unique opportunity will enable the winning entrants to enjoy a free day trip to France, worth over £70, and become music ambassadors for the Bournemouth Jazz Festival this summer. A number of local schools, colleges and young musicians have signed up to compete in the jazz competition and workshops that will giveyoung people the chance to develop their skills and work with professional jazz musicians.

Festival Director, Gerry Clarke says "We are delighted that Brittany Ferries have offered a great prize that will encourage our local young musicians and enable them to become music ambassadors for the Bournemouth Jazz Festival this summer. They might even get a chance to entertain passengers on the cross channel ferry whilst it sails from Poole" he added.

The Jazz 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.

An 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 on line at: www.bournemouthjazzfestival.co.uk .

Tickets for various jazz festival performances 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.

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

Note to Editors:

The Bournemouth Jazz Festival boasts a Headline Acts programme comprising top international and national jazz names including world renowned singer Jacqui Dankworth, saxophonist Jean Toussaint who worked with the legendary Art Blakey the much-loved singer Tina May and rising trumpet star Yazz Ahmed.

There will also be a "World Jazz Jamboree" featuring jazz styles from Africa, Europe, India, The Middle East and South America and a "Jazz Village" in Bournemouth Town Centre with a live music stage, food and drink stalls and a programme of ‘street jazz' across the town with additional "razzmajazz" pockets planned for Westbourne, Southbourne and Boscombe.

March 2016 (BJF 06)