You could help Redrooms on the way to glory

May 29 2009 by Alison Anderson, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

THE people of Perth helped make Perth Concert Hall Venue of the Year at the Scottish Traditional Music Awards 2008.

Now sister venue Perth Theatre has a nomination for its Redrooms music bar in the Jazz Venue of the Year category in the 2009 Scottish Jazz Awards.

The award is open to public vote, so Horsecross is appealing to music fans from the Fair City and beyond to get behind the nomination and register their vote on the Scottish Jazz Awards website.

Jane Spiers, chief executive of Horsecross, the creative enterprise behind Perth Concert Hall and Perth Theatre said: “The public response to Perth Concert Hall’s Scot Trad Awards nomination was fantastic and we hope they will get behind the Redrooms Scottish Jazz Awards nomination and support Perth’s rising status as a top destination on the musical map of Scotland.”

The warm Redrooms ambience has played host to national and international jazz acts, including Julian Argüelles, fellow Scottish Jazz Award nominee Brian Kellock, Scottish trio NeWt, Neil Cowley Trio and Sing Sing Penelope from Perth’s twin town Bydogszcz.

Former Perth Academy pupil, saxophonist Fraser Campbell, who is making a name for himself on the international jazz circuit with his band Secret Architecture, has performed several sell-out gigs in Perth Theatre Redrooms.

He said: “The Redrooms has a very warm and intimate vibe.

He added: I always enjoy playing in my home town and the Redrooms always provides a large and knowledgeable audience. It is the perfect setting for jazz and other forms of small band music to take place.”

Currently studying at William Paterson University, New Jersey, Fraser is planning another Scottish tour with Secret Architecture in summer 2010.

Voting in the Scottish Jazz Awards is open until midnight Wednesday, June 3, at www.jazz-in-scotland.co.uk/sja.htm

The awards will be presented as part of the Glasgow International Jazz Festival on Monday, June 22, at the Tron Theatre in Glasgow.