The 7th annual Great North Big Band Jazz Festival and Competition took place on Saturday 6 March, with a number of excellent results for Leeds College of Music’s Big Band.
Leeds College of Music’s Big Band, directed by alumnus and current tutor Simon Barnes, walked away with three awards. The Big Band was announced as Winner of the Open Section; The Big Band’s Rhythm Section was awarded the ‘Adjudicators’ Special Prize’ in the Open Section and the Big Band’s Saxophone Section was awarded ‘Best Section’ in the Open Section.
Competing bands were asked to perform a programme of twenty minutes, which was judged by Paul Jones (BBC Big Band) and Mick Donnelly, founder of the award winning Big Band ‘Musicians Unlimited’. After performing their set, the Big Band received rave reviews from both adjudicators, with Mick Donnelly saying he “could have listened all night” and Paul Jones commenting that the band was “incredible”.
Leeds College of Music’s Big Band will be performing at The Venue on Thursday 13 May, alongside special guest Pete Beachill, himself an alumnus of the College. Further information can be viewed here www.lcm.ac.uk/concert-season.