Jazzie B named London Legend at first London Music Awards

1. The London Music Awards are an important fundraiser for the Mayor's Music Fund, a charity that nurtures and develops the skills of talented children from across London’s 32 boroughs. In just two years the fund has given out grants worth £1.3m, impacting on over 14,000 young musicians, with plans to grow its reach every year. As well as table sales, organisers are aiming to raise even more on the night, thanks to an auction and pledges to ‘sponsor a young musician’ which will be led by Jon Snow.

2. The London Music Awards are being sponsored by luxury watch brand Raymond Weil, who will also present the Rising Star award.

3. Other sponsors and supporters include London Evening Standard, ABRSM, PRS for Music, Live Nation, The Mackintosh Foundation and SRLV Accountants. Four young musicians are being given instruments by Yamaha and Bell Percussion. There is a Time Out reader vote for London’s favourite music venue. All proceeds from the event will go towards supporting the Mayor’s Music Fund's charitable activities.

4. The music industry is showing its support for the capital's music-makers, including tables being hosted by the likes of Sony, Universal, Warner, Live Nation, UK Music, AEG, as well as firms like CHIME, News Corporation and BMG Chrysalis. 

5. For more information about the London Music Awards and the Mayor's Music Fund, please contact CEO Ginny Greenwood [email protected] O: 020 7983 4943 M: 07795 552 352 www.mayorsmusicfund.org@mayorsmusic 

6. WINNERS' BIOGRAPHIES Jazzie B - London Legend (in association with the Evening Standard) Jazzie B was born in Hornsey in 1963, the ninth of ten children. He is the founder of Soul II Soul, and the man credited for “giving black British music a soul of its own” (Ivor Novello award citation 2008). Jazzie B’s first gig was at the tender age of 14, and when he was 25 he formed Soul II Soul, which over the years has been nominated for 5 Brit Awards, including twice for best British group. Jazzie B has produced and remixed tracks for some of the biggest names in the music world, including James Brown, Public Enemy, Sinéad O'Connor, Ziggy Marley and Destiny's Child. For many years his ‘Back to Life’ show on BBC London 94.9 led the way in playing the best of funk, soul, reggae and house. Jazzie B is a founding director of the Featured Artists Coalition. In 2002, he was listed first in the Business category of the 100 Great Black Britons and in 2008 he received an OBE. A Londoner through and through, Jazzie B has been an inspiration to generations of people – young and old alike. Combine this with being a pioneer of soul music and you undoubtedly have a London legend. Antonio Pappano - Exceptional contribution to music (presented by Raymond Weil) Antonio Pappano has been Music Director of The Royal Opera since 2002 and The Orchestra of the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome since 2005. His zest for life and the fact that music runs through his veins has meant that throughout his tenure, audiences have enjoyed some of the most exciting productions of any opera house in the world. From Berg to Wagner via Mozart with a splash of premieres including Birtwistle’s The Minotaur (2008) and Turnage’s Anna Nicole (2011), Pappano is an absolute master. Add to this his commitment to ensuing opera is made accessible and affordable for all, and his passion to educate and inspire young people through music, and it is not difficult to see why in 2012 he was made Cavaliere di Gran Croce dell’Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana and he received a Knighthood for services to music. This award is being presented by Elie Bernheim, Global CEO, Raymond Weil, in memory of his grandfather who adored opera, often naming watches after operas he particularly enjoyed such as Tosca, Nabucco, Don Giovanni and Parsifal. Andrew Lloyd Webber Philanthropist – individual (sponsored by SRLV Accountant) Andrew Lloyd Webber was one of the first people to support the Mayor’s Music Fund. Even before the charity was officially up and running he had pledged to fund several four-year scholarships. He subsequently agreed to fund a very ambitious partnerships; a collaboration between Barking and Dagenham and Havering music services, the LSO and Bigga Fish. The project, called Remix the Mix, encouraged participants to mix classical and urban music (think Beethoven and Rap)! He recently established ‘The Andrew Lloyd Webber Programme’, which will give every child at schools participating in the programme the opportunity to study a musical instrument as part of the compulsory curriculum. We applaud Andrew Lloyd Webber’s commitment to music education and thank him for his support. ABRSM - Philanthropist - corporate (sponsored by SRLV Accountant) Over the past two years, ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) has become a dear friend to the Mayor’s Music Fund. The company is funding an incredible 12 four-year scholarships, specifically for young woodwind and brass players. Syllabus director, Nigel Scaife is a member of our Music Education Committee, his years of experience being invaluable in developing our programmes. Teaching and Learning Development Director, Lincoln Abbotts is a member of our Scholarship ‘Progression’ task force and an incredible workshop leader, getting the very best out of up to 100 children at our annual Scholar’s day at City Hall. Tonight ABRSM is sponsoring the Outstanding Scholars award – a loyal friend indeed. Natalie Shay - Undiscovered Talent (sponsored by Live Nation) Natalie, who hails from Enfield, has musical intelligence and maturity beyond her years, making her an absolute pleasure to work with and be around. In 2012, aged 13, she came to prominence through the Gigs busking competition where she won the Youth Category with the unanimous backing of the judging panel. She returned to the competition in 2013 showing clear performance development and a host of new material. Now at The BRIT School, Natalie‘s work ethic will ensure she succeeds artistically and academically - truly a talent waiting to be discovered. Kimberly Anne - Young Composer/songwriter (sponsored by PRS) As distinctive and singular as the enormous wedge of hair that sits atop her young head, 26 year old Kimberly Anne from Penge impressed the judges enormously by presenting a fresh and warm take on the classic singer-songwriter role. Known for her handmade set-up, her studio consists of drum kits made from £5 Ikea tables and condenser microphones duct taped to mops, her music has an honest, imaginative and day-dreamy quality to it which is really listenable. There is depth to her first released EP ‘Bury It There’. At once intimate and rousing, it's hard not to imagine this south east Londoner being a seriously hot commodity by the end of 2014. Femme - Rising Star (sponsored by Raymond Weil) 24 year old Femme from Lewisham is a joy to listen to and watch. A charismatic artist, her music is vibrant and edgy with great pop hooks and big bright productions. Her creativity - full of wit, colour and attitude shines throughout her artwork, videos and overall style, making her a breath of fresh air. Inspired by artists like Debbie Harry and Cindy Sherman, Femme has already had an exciting year, winning Best Global Emerging Artist at the Musexpo industry awards and releasing an album. She is a perfect winner of the inaugural Rising Star award. Brass Tracks - Outstanding Musical Collaboration (sponsored by the Mackintosh Foundation) Sutton Music Service, Hounslow Music Service, Zone One Brass, Royal College of Music The collaboration tackled the lack of opportunity for brass band playing for young musicians by giving them the experience of playing in a brass band. 100 pupils from Sutton and Hounslow came together to form a junior and a senior brass band. Coached and conducted by professional musicians from London’s leading brass band, Zone One Brass, the project culminated in a fantastic final performance at the Royal College of Music in February 2014. The project has already led to the formation of the Sutton Youth Brass Band who will perform at the Instrumental Music Festival at Fairfield Halls. Union Chapel - London's Favourite Music Venue (voted for by Time Out readers) Union Chapel is a firm favourite with concert goers across the capital. It has superb acoustics, and with 900-seats, is a place where performers can really connect with their audiences. The Chapel is a registered charity doing lots of good things within the community including the Margins Homelessness Project that runs a training café at concerts, schools performances and of course welcoming a host of iconic musicians. Outstanding Mayor's Music Scholars (sponsored by ABRSM) Daniel Aidoo, age 7 Lives, Hackney, attends Kingsmead School, Instrument: Djembe Drum Daniel is an exceptionally talented young musician for whom performing - specifically drumming, has always come naturally. At nursery school his teacher discovered that he had an extraordinary sense of rhythm and would drum everywhere and at any time he could. This inherent ability, coupled with the focus and dedication Daniel has given to formally ‘studying’ the craft, are helping him to develop into a remarkable young musician. Charles Campbell-Peak, age 10 Havering, St Joseph's RC Primary School Double Bass, Trombone, Bassoon & Violin Charles is one of those rare musicians who can play several instruments with ease. Though only 10 years old, his playing and musicianship are well in advance of his years, and he participates in any and every musical opportunity that comes his way. Soon after being awarded a Scholarship, he was among eight Havering students who played with the LSO in the Olympics opening ceremony. Charles has achieved many outstanding exam results, most recently the extraordinarily high mark of 145/150 in his Grade 5 Double Bass. James Lynch, age 12 Hillingdon, Haydon School Violin James has fully embraced all that the Mayor’s Music Scholarship has offered him, persevering with the challenges of working at Grade 7 level, and progressing to become the leader of the Hillingdon Music Service’s Philharmonic Orchestra. He recently played in his first competition, the Rotary Young Musician 2014 in Hillingdon progressing to the district final in Reading, against much older students. The senior judge commented: “James’s mature interpretations show that he has huge potential, and I can see him as a future worthy winner”. Bishal Debnath, age 13 Hounslow, Lampton Academy Trumpet Since receiving his Scholarship, Bishal has been on a fantastic musical journey. Two and a half years ago he could only play eight notes. Today he has achieved a Grade 5 merit and is currently working towards Grade

7. Bishal is a model student; fastidious with his home practice and rarely missing or late for any of his music lessons, rehearsals or performances. He is a very keen member of the Hounslow Youth Concert Band and the “Brass Roots” Brass Ensemble.