Play for a Day: Jann Rutherford Memorial Award

Internationally renowned saxophonist and composer Dr Sandy Evans OAM,will perform a six-hour continual improvisation on Sunday, December 6th at St Lukes Church in Enmore. Musicians of all levels, instruments, ages and styles are invited to join Sandy for twenty-minute spots to raise funds.Her goal is to raise $15,000 for the 2016 Jann Rutherford Memorial Award (JRMA) which assists the professional development of an outstanding young female jazz musician.

Musicians and the public are invited to come along any time from 2pm to 8pm and are encouraged to make a donation in the following ways:

• Sponsor Sandy Evans’ marathon performance

• Sponsor yourself, or request friends to sponsor you for a 20 minute spot (minimum entry $20.00)

• Sponsor another musician, school band or student for a 20 minute spot (minimum entry $20.00)

• Come along and watch (Entry Fee for the day $20.00)

You can also support this initiative by purchasing Australian jazz albums or food and beverages available for sale on the day.

Global audiences are encouraged to participate as the event will be streamed live.

About the Jann Rutherford Memorial Award (JRMA:

The late jazz pianist and composer Jann Rutherford was a prominent and unique musical force in Australian and New Zealand. She was born blind and died of cancer at the young age of 38. The Award was founded in 2005 to develop opportunities for emerging female jazz musicians. Funded by private donations in partnership with Melbourne International Women’s Jazz Festival, Sydney Improvised Music Association, ABC Radio National and The Mietta Foundation, the award provides the recipient with assistance with performances for her band, a recording for ABC Radio National and publicity and promotional materials.  The award is certainly making a difference. Past recipients of the award such as Alex Silver, Hannah James, Ellen Kirkwood, Ali Foster, Jess Dunn and Harri Harding (of the Sirens Big Band), Jess Green and Jodie Michael are making their mark in Australia’s vibrant jazz scene. Thanks to initiatives such as this, the future looks promising for gender equity in jazz.

For more information on the JRMA, click here.

What: Sandy Evans performs marathon six hour improvisation to raise money for the 2016 Jann Rutherford Memorial Award 

When: Sunday, the 6th of December, from 2pm -8pm

Where: St Lukes Church,11 Enmore Road, Enmore. 

Cost: $20