Manitoba Jazz Scene Heats Up with Project COOL

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Winnipeg’s Cool Jazz, 99.1 COOL-FM announces a unique opportunity designed to launch a national recording career for a Manitoba smooth jazz artist.

Project COOL’s talent Search launches this week with one Manitoba jazz artist to receive $75,000 in funding support for the recording, production and release of a new CD.

This year’s Project COOL offers full professional career support, including a national management and booking agreement. 99.1 COOL-FM has reached an artist support agreement with LiveTourArtists. CEO Doug Kirby has over 30 years of music industry management experience, and heads a team that currently handles the live careers of several jazz artists including Carol Welsman, Marc Jordan, Michael Kaeshammer, Sophie Milman and Alfie Zappacosta. His team will prepare the applications for possible further funding from FACTOR, the national broadcaster and government supported organization funding major recording projects. LiveTourArtists will also negotiate all recording distribution agreements on behalf of the artist, offer consultation on the selection of a producer and studio, and coordinate live appearances nationally.

This year’s Project COOL is particularly unique in that it offers the winner increased financial support to produce a world class project, coupled with expertise and professional consultation to ensure a better opportunity for success and a national career.

Applications are available for download Thursday July 14, 2005 at www.cooljazz.ca, or from the offices of 99.1 COOL-FM and must be returned no later than 4pm on Thursday, July 28th 2005.

Five finalists will be announced Friday, July 29th, and those five will be showcased over the next five Friday evenings as part of the “Jazz on the Waterfront” series at The Forks. The Project COOL Grand Prize Winner will be announced Tuesday, September 6th, and will then have 90 days to prepare a budget and present plans for the recording of the project.

In announcing this year’s promotion, Program Manager Barry Horne acknowledged the cooperation 99.1 COOL-FM had received from MARIA and the music industry, saying “This opportunity is new in that for the first time the funds are concentrated on one winner, generating a real opening for a Manitoba artist to launch directly onto the national stage. We know the talent is here, and with the added support on the business side of the industry in this year’s package, we look forward to a new entrant to the Canadian star system.”

For more information on Project Cool, please visit www.cooljazz.ca.

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