Benet McLean to judge first heat of Young Jazz Performer of the Year Award

UK Jazz Radio announces judging line-up for first stage of young performer awards

Jagz at Ascot hosts the first regional heat of the UK Jazz Radio Young Performer of the Year Awards 2010 on Thursday 26^th April.

Special guest judge in this early stage of the important new competition in the UK jazz diary is London born pianist and vocalist, Benet McLean, who has been involved in music since the age of 3!

Benet began on violin, (a quarter-sized model of course!), and whilst training to become potentially a concert violinist, he also soon became interested in other forms of music such as jazz, bebop and a young genre rising under the name of hip-hop. Soon teaching himself other instruments such as guitar, piano, electric bass, alto saxophone, as well as of course singing & composing, a musical 'melting-pot' began to 'cook'.

Brian Soundy, Director of Music for UK Jazz Radio, now widely regarded as Europe’s leading jazz internet radio station with a listenership of more than 80,000 a day, welcomed Benet’s offer to join the judging panel.

Brian said: “The award, held in conjunction with the Marlborough International Jazz Festival 2010 which hosts the finals of the competition, has attracted a great deal of new talent from right across the UK.”

“Benet is a wonderful talent and role model for young people, so he can bring a different perspective to the judging panel.” Brian added.

Applications for an audition for the competition have to reach UK Jazz Radio by 15^th May through the station’s website at www.ukjazzradio.com. Regional finals are being held across the UK and the final will be held at Marlborough in July on the UK Jazz Radio Stage which also hosts the Women In Jazz Event and the world record attempt for the largest number of musicians participating in a Blues Jam.

Benet is a UK Jazz Now artist whose new CD will be launched through in May and further information about this, and his forthcoming European tour sponsored by UK Jazz Radio, can be found at  www.ukjazznow.com/benet-mclean.html.

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