Jazz Award BBC Young Musician

For over 30 years, BBC Young Musician has been showcasing the

finest young classical musicians in the UK. It's a competition with a

rich legacy and a list of previous winners that reads like a who's who

of classical music. This year has seen the introduction of a brand new

award for jazz and it's a genuine pleasure for me to say, welcome to

the first ever BBC Young Musician Jazz Final. We have excellent young

musicians, and it is wonderful they have a platform to be seen in a

competition that has established itself as one of the great con

petitions for young people anywhere. Over the next 90 minutes we'll hear

some exceptional playing by five very talented young performers - all

of them with a passion for Jazz. One will be named winner of the first

ever BBC Young Musician Jazz Award. There are so many young people who

enjoyed the process of playing jazz music and this element of

improvisation which is unique. For that to be shown on a wider scale

alongside the more established classical side is crucial. Having a

competition like this will generate interest and adds to the evolution

of the music. The energy never ceases to astound me. I am looking

forward to hearing some great music. ceases to astound me. I am looking

Here at The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff the

atmosphere is really building ahead of this evening's ginal. In just a

short while we'll hear five remarkable young musicians who will

perform a set with one of the finest groups in the UK - the Gwilym

Simcock Trio. To win this first ever BBC Young Musician Jazz Award our

finalists will have to convince a formidable jury of British jazz

greats, even just to reach this stage they've already had to come

through two tough audition rounds. Here's the story so far. Some of the

UK's best young jazz musicians entered. These were short listed to

23 for the live auditions in Cardiff. There the judges were

treated to two days of exceptional playing showcasing a wide range of

instruments. At the end of the live audition stage, five competitors

were chosen for this first ever Jazz Final. Just two days ago they

returned to Cardiff to meet up with their band. One of the best in the

business - the Gwilym Simcock trio. First to rehearse - saxophonist Sean

Payne who at only 13 is the youngest performer in this final. It has been

amazing working with them. I have never experienced playing with a

band of that kind of level. They are so great to work with. If I say that

I have an idea, maybe we could do that, they get it first time. We

have been working with the musicians, developing their

repertoire of 20 minutes music, and turning the whole sound into a band.

The beautiful thing is the interaction between musicians. If

they had come on and had ten minutes worth of rehearsal and gone out

cold, that would not have been a fair representation of what these

musicians can do. Next it's the turn of 14-year-old bass player Freddie

Jensen. He joins Gwilym and drummer James Madron, taking the bass seat

normally filled by the trio's Uri Goloubev. Playing with him has been

amazing. I am doing a jazz standard and he goes crazy on it, it is nice

to hear it. Also, there is a certain kind of groove that a drummer hast

to adopt when playing in a bass solo and no drama I have played with

before has done it as well. -- drummer. It is almost historic that

I am in the finals. Saxophonist Alexander Bone is 17. Like all our

finalists he's required to perform a piece that he's written himself.

When I first brought in the music, I thought my composition was a bit

mental in places. And then he played it first time. One of the nice

things about this competition is that they have each brought one of

their own compositions. The lovely thing in jazz music is that you are

constantly making your own contribution to the genre and the

library of music, both as a player and a brighter. A great opportunity

to show who they are as a musician. I hope playing in front of the

judges will bring out the best in me. The fact I got into the final is

incredible, I am so honoured to get this far. Whatever happens next, who

knows. To win it would be amazing. Next in with the Gwilym and the

band, trumpet player Jake Labazzi who's 16. The work we did my own

composition really helped because I was not sure how that would work.

They got it together. I have been watching the classical one for the

past few years and the new jazz genre is a great thing for me

because I have never had a chance to play in a competition like this. And

last to rehearse, 18-year-old saxophonist Tom Smith. As well as

being required to play a piece of his own, he - like all of our

finalists - is required to include a significant amount of improvisation

in his set. When I turned up with all my pieces, I had no idea how

they would be received or how they would play on them. How they play

them will be so important in how I played them, it so so much of it is

interaction. I am incredibly excited to do the performance right now.

Somebody has the enviable task of judging them all. I have played with

them all and it is impossible to say who will win it because they each

have something to offer. I am so glad I am not involved in the

judging. I just get on with playing with them! I've been lucky to sit in

some of the rehearsals and it's been great to see the way these young

performers have brought their own ideas to the table. I know they've

also been treated to a real masterclass and will take away so

much from working with Gwilym and the band. I've played with them

myself and I know our finalists are going to have a fantastic time

performing with them tonight. They are so excited. But there's also a

serious note to tonight's proceedings. With the first ever BBC

Young Musician Jazz Award to play for you'd expect us to have lined up

a formidable jury - and we certainly have! Four of the biggest names in

British jazz, let's meet them now. Composer and pianist Django Bates.

The three main things I am looking for is individuality, empathy and

courage. Julian Joseph, pianist and broadcaster. I am looking forward to

hearing whether that spark of inventiveness, that ability to set

off the energy in the room, is there. Saxophonist and composer

Trish Clowes. I want to see a bit of danger in there, I want to see

people going for stuff, not worrying about whether it is right or wrong.

And saxophonist, arranger and record producer Jason Yarde. The main thing

is to get a sense of exuberance. They really have to enjoy the moment

and give everything. So this it, the very first BBC Young Musician Jazz

Final. To begin this final it's our youngest competitor, 13-year-old

saxophonist Sean Payne. At just 13 years old, Sean is the

youngest performer in this jazz final. Despite his age he's already

used to playing alongside far more experienced musicians as a member of

the Ian Bufton Big Band. The age range we have is from 13-year-olds

up to people in their 50s, but he has exceptional talent. Everybody

said, is he really 13? Sean is often joined in the band by his mum Maria

who started teaching him the sax just five years ago. He was eight

years old when he started playing, but when he started, he put the

instrument in his mouth and it sounded like another part of his

voice. Sometimes I cannot tell whether he has a CD on or he is

playing it himself. He has got to the stage when he can perform in

front of anybody and it sounds like it should do. My mum taught me for

the first four years before I went to a new school. My first lesson, he

was already teaching me lots of things I had not thought about

before, and he showed me different people who had inspired me. Sean

started studying with Carlos Lopez Real last year. We spend a lot of

time working with recordings and learning directly. We learn the

language of the music. I arranged for Sean to sit in on a jam session.

We listened afterwards and Sean transcribed what he had played. He

is a very advanced jazz musician for his age and is very relaxed and laid

back as well. I am really excited to be in the final, I have been just

waiting for this day, and I did not expect to get through to it so it is

a real honour to be in the final. Please welcome Sean Payne. The first

thing I am going to play is Cole Porter and What is this Thing Called

Love. One of the CDs I listened to was the Charlie Parker jam session

with lots of big names. As soon as there was a solo on eight, I was

attracted to the tune. -- on it. Sean Payne, opening this BBC Young

musician jazz final. The next June and we are going to play is one of

my own compositions. I started off rewriting it with friends and

harmonising it, and then I took it further and changed it into

something different. For a while I couldn't really think

of a name for it. I was listening to it and it reminded me of the last

summer, my last term at Purcell School, and I started to call it

Last Summer. Sean Payne, with his own

composition, Last Summer. To end, we are going to hear his take on Chick

Corea's tribute to pianist Bud Powell.

Sean Payne on the saxophone! That was confident first performance from

Sean Payne. Let's see how he felt about it, as he talks with Josie

backstage. You have made history, the

first-ever performance in the jazz award, you seem to be smiling, how

are you feeling? The atmosphere was amazing, it went really well. He has

an old school sound. It was a good understanding of the arc of harmony

and a need to play with a sense of melody. That was a great start, but

next performer looking to shine from the back line of the band, bassist

Freddie Jensen. 14-year-old Freddie started to get

into jazz just a couple of years ago but he has been studying music for

much longer. I started out on the violin but it definitely wasn't a

success. Then I started cello when I was about six and enjoyed that a

lot, then I didn't start playing the bass properly until I was nine. I

think the base is my main thing right now. Now in his 50 year at

Chethams School of Music in Manchester, Freddie also has private

lessons with Jiri Hudec, Principal Bass Player with the Czech

Philharmonic Orchestra. Jiri has been an amazing influence. He has

helped with every nuance, which helps with jazz because then he

understands the nuances that are important in jars. The best bass

players have a classical education. The foundation is very important and

he takes that from classical playing. The classical training I

have gives me the technique to be as free as I want when I improvise. To

hone his skills as a jazz performer, Freddie regularly plays

in a group he has formed with some of his school friends. Jazz can be a

lot more exciting than classical, it is more free, you don't have to obey

the rules of what a composer has told you to do. It has been really

great, having our own ensemble. I have learned so much from colleagues

and you can also earn a -- learn a lot from seeing what works and what

doesn't, it is useful. I don't care about winning as much as I care

about just having a good time. I am definitely going to, playing with

Gwilym. The first piece I am playing is called Five Hours Ahead and I was

thinking about writing something when my dad was in New Zealand. I

heard my sister saying it is 13 hours ahead over there, and I

thought that would be a great name of a piece. It is fairly simple but

I think there is a lot Gwilym is going to do with it so that will be

fun to do. Freddie Jensen with his own

composition five hours ahead. Also in his set Pat Metheny's For A

Thousand Years. But he's going to finish with a Charlie Parker bebop

standard. He did so much for jazz today that it would be stupid if

nobody was playing his pieces. It is quite upbeat and would be really fun

to play it. Freddie Jensen, just 14. More than

comfortable as frontman and at home in the backline too. But was it

enough to win him the first ever BBC Young Musician Jazz Award? He has a

great sense of musicianship, he plays with a sense of experience

that belies his age. Often you get a bass led ensemble, it was difficult

but I managed. Not an easy task to come out and take the -based chair,

but you could tell he was the leader. -- the bass chair. We've now

heard from two of our Jazz finalists. Still to come:

16-year-old trumpet player Jake labazzi, and 18-year-old Saxophonist

Tom Smith. Next it's the second of our sax players: 17-year-old

Alexander Bone. 17-year-old Alexander also studies at Chethams

School of Music in Manchester but often heads home to Darlington for a

jam session with his friends. The most fun thing is to interact

musically. I love that creativity they do not get in other styles of

music. Being able to share ideas with one another, you can have a

really good day and enjoy what you are doing. I started playing

saxophone when I was six years old and that was because my dad is

actually a saxophone player and the saxophone teacher. Pretty much

immediately, from when he started playing, he immediately started

getting a good tone because you can hear what it was meant to sound

like. He had it in the House all the . He was eight years old when he

started the saxophone, and it was partly for experience of performing

in front of people. It was really good practice. Alexander is also

into writing and producing his own music, and it's not only jazz. I

really love making dance music which involves inputting notes onto a

computer and making sounds, usually what I do after that is record some

saxophone on top it. He has an eclectic taste, and he takes from

each genre of music what he wants to take and he puts that in two other

styles. He is not just stuck with jazz, pop, dance. He brings

everything into it as well. All of the different genres of music that I

listened to, they are all influenced by jazz. The jazz influences

everything I do. They are all connected to each other in some

form. For the final, I am trying to show a lot of contrasting styles

which I enjoy playing, and I am hoping they will all come across.

Give a huge welcome to our third musician.

APPLAUSE To show people what I am working on

behind the scenes and get out and play in front of people is really

great. I was playing the The Glide at

school in my improvisation group. After one rehearsal, I was singing

it in my head, and I walked away imagining that I was singing it in a

slight groove. The great reaction from the

audience, Alexander clearly making himself at home on the stage. Also

on his set, a company may I have no idea what I'm going to do

yet but I'm hoping it comes out OK. My Funny Valentine, and to end his

set Alexander is going to play his own composition, Messed Up Shape.

I am terrible at naming my pieces but my teacher asked me what I

thought of the shape of the melody, I said it was really messed up and I

decided that would make a good title because I didn't have any better

ideas, so Messed Up Shape. Alexander Bone! That was a fresh

original from Alexander, proving what an idiosyncratic player he is.

I'm interested to know what he thought of his own performance, with

Josie backstage. He seemed really at home. Was that part of how you

felt? I guess so because I love music so much and it feels where I

belong. With a band like that, I didn't have to try, it just came

out. A really strong, confident performer. You can tell his musical

direction is quite clear. What really stood out with is his ability

to dig in with the band, there were so many musical lock-ups going under

-- going on and I thought that was special. Some great jazz playing

already this evening. Next, the only trumpeter to make it through to this

final. It is Jake Labazzi. Jake is currently doing his A-levels in

music, music technology and photography at the Purcell School in

Hertfordshire. Photography has been a hobby of mine for a couple of

years. I have been building cameras and developing my own film. I have

recently been doing a lot of macro work, taking pictures of small water

drops and insects. When I was six, I was given an opportunity to pick up

an instrument from a local council so I chose the trumpet because that

was what was in my head from what my dad used to listen to. He is a big

fan of Miles Davis, and the classic bebop jazz. As well as studying

trumpet, Jake is the youngest member of the National Youth Jazz

Orchestra. Most of the band are already at music college, but

Jake's talent has earned him a place in the line-up.

As soon as I heard him play, I thought we have got to have him

because he great at improvising and a great section player as well, so

he fits right in, even though he is at least three or four years younger

than most of the guys doing it regularly. It certainly helps my

confidence because a lot of the players are welcoming me to play

with them, they obviously have a lot of experience. Having a spotlight

position in the band is great but it is quite nerve wracking. It is a

really good opportunity to mix all of the skills you need is a

professional freelance musician, really strong ensemble playing, then

when it is your moment you have got to be ready to step on the gas and

put yourself in the limelight, and it is unusual to find that

confidence in people so young actually. I have done a lot of

playing for audiences in the past so I am used to it, but I have never

played in front of a panel of judges that are criticising my performance

and comparing it to others, but it will be a great opportunity to play.

Please give a very warm welcome to Jake Labazzi. The first piece I am

playing is by Richard Rodgers, called Have You Met Miss Jones, and

I think the crowd are going to like it.

Jake Labazzi, with a classic from the swing era - Richard Rodgers'

Have You Met Miss Jones. Also in his set, Kenny Wheelers' Kind Folk, and

this, his own composition, Chernobyl. The chords I have used

create a sparse texture about it which I really like. It is the first

time I have played it in a band so it is great to hear it coming from

these musicians. APPLAUSE

The last piece I am playing is a wooden changing piece called

Anthropology. It is a fast swinger so the melody is quite hard to play

on the flugelhorn. A classic Charlie Parker number.

Let's see what they thought of it backstage. How did your last piece

go? It went well, there were a few pieces I could have done better but

the solo went well. Jake played beautiful trumpet, a great mutual

sense of the musicianship that lies underneath. Sun it is a very

difficult instrument to make sound beautiful but he makes it sound

beautiful. This is turning into quite a final and already the jury

have plenty to think about. And now for our final performer tonight, the

last of three saxophone players, all the way from London. It's Tom Smith

on alto. 18-year-old Tom is the oldest

competitor in this Jazz Final and the only one not at a specialist

music school. He is in his final year at school. I am studying for my

A-levels, maths, further maths and music. When I am not studying you

can find me in the music school, rehearsing or practising. For the

past eight years, Tom has been studying the Saxophone with Katy

Brown. Really nice stuff, but just what you're intonation on the high

notes. Katie has introduced me to the pop and the language of Charlie

Parker and his contemporaries. That has been helpful in helping to

figure who I am and what I want to bring to the table in terms of

improvisation. Tom is lucky because he is blessed with a special brain

that you need to be creative, but he also has a part of the brain where

he can be fast and intellectual, and his fingers work fast. It makes him

a terrific improviser. Tom who lives in Richmond always wanted to be a

sax player but had to start out on the clarinet. He could not

physically hold a saxophone because he was too small so we had to start

on a clarinet. He was reluctant, though, because he knew he was only

doing it until he was big enough to play the saxophone. My dad is a big

fan of jazz and his dad is a big fan as well so I have constantly been

surrounded by music. I picked up the saxophone and the rest is history,

really. By about seven or eight years old, he could listen a tune

and improvise it. He would come out with lovely, melodic lines and

improvise on it. He can take a piece of music and turn it round into his

own and bring the joy and excitement of the music out. Tom has set his

sights on a career in music and has been offered a place at London's

Royal Academy. I see myself ending up, primarily, as a performer. But

there are so many other opportunities on offer to you as a

musician, not just in jazz but in other different genres, from

writing, composition or arranging. I am incredibly excited to be

performing today and I hope I can really show that I have crafted my

identity on the instrument and it will come across as being a unique

sound but influenced from other areas of jazz. Ladies and gentlemen,

please welcome on saxophone, Mr Tom Smith!

APPLAUSE And here is Tom Smith, the final

competitor in this BBC Young Musician Jazz Final. First we're

going to hear a Weather Report classic - Three Views of a Secret.

Tom Smith, showcasing his outstanding abilities and a punchy

soulful tome. Also in his set, Quincy Jones song, and this, his own

composition. It is called No Comment, influenced by New York

composers. It has been really interesting for me, finishing out

the sheet music and bringing it in for these guys to play on. It has

been helpful, them telling me how to get the most out of it so I am

looking forward to having a good long play on that one.

I would like to finish my set tonight with Michael Brecker piece

entitled Delta City Blues. Tom Smith with his homage two

Michael Brecker. Let's see what he thought backstage.

What a fantastic energy, how do you feel? Thank you, I am so happy, the

performance came off well and the band were playing incredibly

strongly. A really nice sound and incredible phrasing, really

engaging. Tom was such a confident performer, and his sound through

each piece got stronger and stronger. It is over to the jury

right now and something tells me this deliberation could take quite

some time. The jury are saxophonist, arranger and record producer Jason

Yarde. Composer and pianist Django Bates. Julian Joseph, pianist and

broadcaster, and saxophonist and composer Trish Clowes. We have

certainly got our work cut out for us. What is your assessment of Sean?

I think what really impressed me with him was the way he had these

beautiful bubbly phrases coming through, but executed with so much

maturity because he left so much space. I could listen to him playing

melodies with lots of long notes without thinking, get to move on,

because the sound was something you could look sugary eight in. Really

nice sound, really nice phrasing, up and down the horns, with high notes

to die for. And he chose his set really well. Now we move to Freddie

and bass. I just thought he had a really clear idea of how he wanted

to play, and just the way he went from his solo into supporting the

rest of the band. He really knew what he wanted to do with that bass.

Very strong bass player, very good technique, very talented guy again.

He proclaimed it as his trio and he did it really well. I really enjoyed

the gliding, he put his own stamp on it while retaining the important

bits from the original. Although he had variety in his set, there was a

very strong flavour of him and his influences, and his musical

personality. He has done a few gigs, you can tell. Yes, I think he has

lived with this music and really loves it, and that comes through

when he plays. We move onto the trumpet and, Jake. His sound is

really rich and strong but not brash and that is difficult to get at such

a young age. Physically I would put him near if not at the top of the

list. If I could be a trumpet player, that is what I would want to

sound like. There is a maturity and a subtlety that perhaps we didn't

see in some of the others. I was watching William react almost in

disbelief through some of the phrases he was bringing back. I have

to say that Jake really impressed me. The final player, Tom, he really

brought it, he tore the house down. Fantastic sound, really assured

playing and phrasing. Attempting that Michael Brecker tune is no mean

feat. That last tune is when things clicked for me. I thought, OK, this

is home for this guy. Such a lot of language, he has really checked out

that music. Joyful and punchy, just like going to a gig, when you see a

band vibe up by some young not at the front of the stage! -- Yong

nutter. So who will be the first every winner of the BBC Young

Musician Jazz Award? Five brilliant young performers have given there

all in this final. Here to announce the result on behalf of the jury,

Julian Joseph. Ladies and gentlemen, every single contestant at some

stage in our discussion was the winner. But there can only be one

person who takes the prize away. The winner of the BBC Young Musician

2014 Jazz Award is... Alexander Bone.

APPLAUSE So the title deservedly goes to

Alexander Bone. It was a great performance and I'm really looking

forward to hearing more from him in the future. I'd like you all to show

your appreciation for all the contestants. Please welcome them all

out to the stage. Alex, congratulations. The first

ever winner of our Jazz award, how are you feeling? It hasn't sunk in

yet. I am lost for words, honestly. His interaction with the rhythm

section was like a really crucial thing, he is obviously a very

experienced player already. For me, it came down to the way he

controlled the band, and he really did. He was able to take the

intensity down of the people who had played all around the world. It is

so courageous for a kid to do that. It meant so much to play with

Gwilym, but to get the award is well is insane really.

Alexander Bone, the first ever recipient of the BBC Young Musician

Jazz Award. It has been a fantastic night and we have just heard five

exciting new voices, all names to look out for in the future. From all

of us here in Cardiff, goodnight.