Next-Gen musical talent unearthed

Tuesday May 07, 2024

Published by The SE Voice

Australia's finest young jazz musicians discovered with host of awards and scholarships presented at annual Mount Gambier Generations in Jazz festival Australia's next generation of musical talent has been unearthed in Mount Gambier.

After three days of intensive music making, the winners of Generations in Jazz, and some of Australia's finest young Jazz musicians, have been discovered.

Starting on Friday and continuing across the weekend, more than 4000 aspiring young musicians from across Australia competed for a number of awards and scholarships.

In the secondary schools competitions, the winners were City of Mount Gambier Division One Stage Band Award: St Peter's College (SA); District Council Grant Division One Large Vocal Ensemble Award: Wilderness School (SA); District Council Grant Division One Small Vocal Ensemble Award: Wesley College - St Kilda Road Campus (Vic).

The James Morrison Jazz Scholarship sponsored by Benara Pastoral was awarded to South Australian guitarist Kallan Francis, while the Generations in Jazz Vocal Sponsorship sponsored by ANZ went to Ava McDermott from Victoria.

Since its beginnings in 1987, Generations in Jazz has grown to attract a widespread national support base and is considered one of the world's best school-based music events.

The event provides a platform for jazz performers to compete, collaborate, learn and engage with jazz fans.

It not only attracts jazz legends of today, it helps develops the next generation.

It also delivers an amazing opportunity for new audiences to develop an appreciation for the artform.

Premier Malinauskas said Generations in Jazz was a "phenomenal event".

"It brings our best and brightest young musicians together each May, providing an opportunity to grow, learn, perform and forge important connections and relationships," he said.

"Generations in Jazz also delivers thousands upon thousands of visitors to experience one of the most beautiful regions of our state.

"This investment in event infrastructure will help Generations in Jazz grow and thrive both now, and in the long term.

"I'm particularly keen to see the benefits reinvested to bring more people from around Australia to get a taste of Limestone Coast." GIJ Board Member Kylie Boston said the group was delighted to be allocated the funding.

"It goes without saying we're all beyond grateful and excited for this show of support for the event we have grown from the ground up over the last 30 years," she said.

"We have always had a vision to make this festival like nothing else in Australia, and from humble beginnings we have managed to grow it where we have had countless thousands of students and people come to Mount Gambier every year, but support like this will help us truly take it to the next level nationally."

Minister for Regional Development Clare Scriven said Generations in Jazz provides great economic benefits to Mount Gambier festival that gives many students around Australia the opportunity to perform on stage and share their music with fellow jazz lovers, some and provides the opportunity to showcase our region to thousands of visitors each May.

"Many sporting clubs and community organisations benefit from providing accommodation across the weekend, further supporting our local community," she said.

"This investment into improved infrastructure will provide even more opportunities for growth for our region, and even better GIJ events in future years." Minister for Arts Andrea Michaels said Generations in Jazz is an incredible for the first time.

"This additional funding by the Malinauskas Government represents us investing in the next generation of our state's musicians and ensuring South Australia's extraordinary festivals and events can be enjoyed right around the state," she said.

Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell welcomed the announcement.

"Generations in Jazz holds the distinguished title of being the sole event granted 'Major Event' status by the South Australian Government outside of metropolitan Adelaide," he said.

"This achievement is a testament to the dedication of the numerous volunteers and board members who have tirelessly guided this event over the decades, ensuring its continuity in Mount Gambier.

"This funding secures the future of Generations in Jazz and paves the way for its evolution into a truly national event. It will allow our state's students to continue to showcase their talents alongside the country's top jazz musicians and vocalists, right here in the Limestone Coast.

"Everyone that has been involved in organising this event since its inception should be extremely proud of this announcement, and of the recognition Generations in Jazz has received from the State Government."