Culture Ireland is inviting applications from artists, labels and other industry professionals in support of their attendance at Jazzahead! trade show in Bremen, Germany 19-22 April 2018.

Working with Improvised Music Company (IMC) and the Jazz Promotion Network (JPN), Culture Ireland is examining the feasibility of an expanded Irish presence at the event from 2018 onwards, with 3 bursaries available for this year’s event after a very fruitful experience for last year’s recipients at Jazzahead 2017.

Jazzahead! Some Facts & Figures: The 4-day event attracts more than 3000 industry attendees from over 55 countries, including hundreds of concert and festival bookers, labels, publishers, distributors, managers and the world's media. Since its formation in 2006 jazzahead! has become the principal annual showcase for the jazz industry throughout Europe and increasingly Asia, and the US. In 2017 this specialist trade fair welcomed 1,356 exhibiting companies, with 17,664 people in attendance at the Showcase performances. www.jazzahead.de

Improvised Music Company will also be combining forces with Jazz From Scotland at this year's Jazzahead, representing the Irish and Scottish jazz scenes together on one large stand, with thanks to the support of Culture Ireland and Creative Scotland respectively.

Irish Artists at Jazzahead
As part of Improvised Music Company’s commitment to representing the Irish jazz sector abroad, with the continued support of Culture Ireland, there are 2 ways Irish-based musicians can be part of this important event;

- Culture Ireland Bursaries (3 bursaries available for Irish-based musicians)

- Digital Showcasing for Irish and Scottish acts, including audio and video playlists

BURSARIES
Culture Ireland’s Jazzahead! bursaries are aimed at those artists and labels who have a track record of achievement in the contemporary jazz genre.

- Experience of touring or a readiness to tour internationally

- Excellent promotional material, demonstrating clearly the benefits of your attendance at Jazzahead!

- Applicants must be 18 or over and be resident in Ireland for a minimum 2 years.

- Applicants must be available 19th - 22nd April 2018 and have a valid passport.

The 3 successful applicants will join IMC for a full day of the conference and use the stand as a base. A briefing session will take place before the event to ensure all artists are able to make the most of the experience with advice on how to approach promoters and agents tips and tricks, logistical information etc.

Attendees will also be asked to submit a short report about their experience including recommendations of future Irish involvement at the event.

The award (€600 per delegate) is towards the costs of return flights, registration and a contribution towards accommodation and subsistence.

Only one delegate bursary will be awarded per organisation/ band.

APPLY to Culture Ireland for this Bursary here: http://applications.cultureireland.ie/index.php?r=form9

The deadline for proposals is Friday 2nd March 2018. The sucessful applicants will be announced on Wednesday 7th March.

DIGITAL SHOWCASE
Artists and ensembles are invited to upload a music track/video to be included as part of our digital showcase of Scottish and Irish jazz.

The Playlist will be shared throughout Jazzahead and made available to download by festival directors and broadcasters.

The Jazzahead bursaries and collaboration between IMC/ Music from Ireland and Jazz from Scotland has been made possible through the generous support of Culture Ireland and Creative Scotland.