Leeds Conservatoire graduates Vanessa Jamie and Zola Marcelle have been included as two of twenty-five artists who will be supported by the MOBO Help Musicians Award to further their creative output and careers.
The Fund, provided by the MOBO Trust and Help Musicians, offers each recipient £3,000 towards their creative work. In addition, each artist will receive business advice sessions from leading industry professionals, alongside health and wellbeing consultations with the British Association for Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM). All applicants were asked to show strong adaptability with their creative projects in response to COVID-19.
Commenting on the award, 2018 BA (Hons) Music (Popular) graduate Vanessa Jamie, an R&B singer from London outlined:
‘The MOBO Help Musicians Fund will allow me to create an effective and impactful marketing and promotional campaign for my debut EP while also encouraging artistic growth and new industry knowledge.’
Also included in the list of recipients was 2013 (BA) Hons) Music (Popular) graduate Zola, who has worked alongside fellow Leeds Conservatoire graduates Aron Kyne and Ashley Henry. Most recently, she joined Ashley as guest vocalist for his live shows, including a sell-out show at EarTH Hackney as part of the 2019 EFG London Jazz Festival. The grant award will enable Zola to produce live audio and visual recording for an upcoming EP release. Zola is currently preparing for a set of her own live shows in 2021.
