Help Musicians - Peter Whittingham Jazz Award celebrates 30th year

Celebrating its 30th year, the Peter Whittingham Jazz Award is offering £20,000 for emerging jazz artists

Author: Alastair SteelPublished 17th Sep 2020
Last updated 17th Sep 2020

Music charity Help Musicians has now opened the Peter Whittingham Jazz Award, now in their 30th year, doubling its investment into the careers of promising musicians in the genre.

Founded in memory of survival medicine expert, pianist and jazz fan Peter Whittingham, the awards celebrate and support up-and-coming British jazz artists at a "tipping point" in their careers.

In this special anniversary year, and at a time when the genre is so vibrant but the landscape so challenging, Help Musicians has increased its investment to £20,000 so as to support even more jazz artists.

Notable winners have included saxophonist Soweto Kinch, pianist Gwilym Simcock, Elliot Galvin and Errollyn Wallen MBE.

With more financial grants available, the charity is also providing more support than ever before with business advice sessions and health resources as part of the 2020 Peter Whittingham Award funding package, ensuring jazz musicians are supported across the breadth of their careers.

The three awardees will receive: £5,000 to support their creative output, tailored 1:1 business advice sessions with industry experts, and access to health resources through their partner, British Association of Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM).

When are applications for the Peter Whittingham Award open?

Applications are open between the 16th of September until the 12th of October 2020.

You can enter and find out more about the award here.

Coronavirus: Supporting the Music Community:

COVID-19 is clearly having a huge impact on the music and entertainment industries. If you would like to find out what else you can do to help, you can read our guide on how to support jazz musicians and the music industry in a challenging time.

What is Help Musicians?

Help Musicians is a UK-based independent charity with an extraordinary history. For nearly 100 years, it has provided a broad spectrum of help, support and opportunities to empower musicians aged over 18, at any stage of their career or retirement, from times of great need to times of opportunity, providing a lifetime of support when it is needed most.

Help Musicians aims to make a meaningful difference to the lives of professional musicians and is passionate about creating a world where musicians thrive.