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JAZZWISE, the UK's top jazz magazine, carries Derby Jazz Week The Movie, a 100 minute DVD featuring performances by nine Derby and Derby rooted bands, on its October 2008 issue due in UK newsagents Sept 26th.
 
Back in March 2007 Derby Jazz celebrated its 25th anniversary with Derby Jazz Week. The Week featured 25 bands over 5 days, 3 major commissions and performances by several of the UK's top jazz musicians. All of the bands were led by or featured jazz musicians originally from Derby,many of whom have been playing for Derby Jazz since they were school kids. The week was supported by Arts Council England and Derby City Council.
 
As part of the week Derby film maker Doug Smith documented performances by all 25 bands and interviews with several musicians. Doug subsequently produced a "Not for commercial release" double DVD of this material which Derby Jazz distributed to all of the artists,UK jazz promoters and media.
 
At this point JAZZWISE, the UK's biggest and best produced jazz magazine, got involved and approached Derby Jazz about producing a 100 minute single DVD and distributing it internationally as a cover mount on the magazine.
 
This isn't the only indication of the quality of work produced during Derby Jazz Week.
The Saturday programme of Derby Jazz Week featuring three specially commissioned pieces was given a **** four star review by The Guardian's jazz critic John Fordham.
In June 2007 Julian Siegel, who features in two of the bands on the DVD, won BBC JAZZ AWARDS 2007 Best Instrumentalist.
In November 2008 the three commissions - Phil Robson's Six Strings and The Beat, Corey Mwamba's Argentum and Graham Collier's From Acorns (for East Midlands Youth Jazz Orchestra) all transferred to the London Jazz Festival where they played The Barbican as "Derby Day"
In May 2008 Phil Robson's Six Strings and The Beat played jazz festivals and released a CD of the music - the band and all the music had been commissioned for Derby Jazz Week. It also got **** four star reviews.
In June 2008 artists who had featured in Derby Jazz Week had a great night at the BBC JAZZ AWARDS. "Curios",  led by Tom Cawley born in Derby and featuring drummer Joshua Blackmore from Derby, won "Band of The Year",Christine Tobin won "Best Vocalist", Kit Downes from Joshua Blackmore's band Troyka won "Rising Star" and Corey Mwamba was shortlisted for an Innovation Award.
In October DERBY JAZZ WEEK THE MOVIE a DVD featuring nine performances including pieces by Phil Robson's Six Strings and The Beat, Corey Mwamba's Argentum, Graham Collier with EMYJO, Julian Siegel Quartet, Curios, Troyka and the Christine Tobin Band is internationally distributed by JAZZWISE magazine.

Derby Jazz Week is currenlty seeking sponosrship for its fesival in September. Contact:

GEOFF WRIGHT
DERBY JAZZ
01332 606320