Tag: writing

Response to the National Lottery Good Causes: Fund What Matters to You call for evidence. 

Chris Hodgkins is a jazz musician, band leader and arts advocate with a decades-long track record of supporting the UK music sector at both the community and national levels. Having co-founded the Welsh Jazz Festival and Welsh Jazz Society, and directed the nationally funded Jazz Services Ltd, his career bridges local cultural engagement and national policy creation, including the establishment of the Parliamentary Jazz Awards and as Secretary to the All Party Parliamentary Jazz Group.  His extensive experience gives him unique insight into how funding frameworks can best serve grassroots arts and music and cultural heritage.

1 Introduction

In the interest of transparency and ensuring that the crucial issues facing jazz and grassroots music in England are effectively tackled, this response addresses key consultation points on arts lottery funding rather than using the standard online questionnaire.

1.1 This paper covers three important areas of lottery funding of the arts in England.

  • National Lottery Project Grants
  • Additionality
  • Supporting Grassroots Live Music Fund (SGLM)

1.2 Summary

This submission sets out a comprehensive critique of how National Lottery funding operates within Arts Council England (ACE), focusing on three interconnected areas: National Lottery Project Grants, additionality, and the Supporting Grassroots Live Music Fund (SGLM). Drawing on FOI disclosures, ACE data, sector research, and first hand knowledg, it demonstrates that England’s current Lottery‑funded arts system is structurally imbalanced and systematically disadvantages jazz, grassroots music, freelancers, and small organisations.

The document shows that the absence of artform policies since 2010 has resulted in generic, opaque assessment processes that favour established institutions. Jazz success rates in Grants for the Arts averaged 4.4%, fell to 1.2% under NLPG, and dropped to 2% in SGLM — evidence of a system unable to assess jazz and grassroots musics fairly. Grantium’s complexity, inaccessible language, and the exclusion of jazz organisations from venue‑ownership‑based funds further depress access.

The analysis of National Lottery Project Grants reveals a stark structural imbalance: between 2018–2023, NPOs secured awards at an average rate of 74.4%, compared with 42.7% for non‑NPO applicants. In jazz, NPO success rates averaged 82.5%, while non‑NPO jazz applicants fell below 1–2% of all eligible applications. This occurred despite NPOs already receiving substantial Grant‑in‑Aid revenue and a 5% uplift to core funding. Although new rules introduced in 2023 restrict NPO eligibility, they do not resolve the underlying imbalance.

The section on additionality shows that ACE has increasingly used Lottery funds to supplement NPO revenue funding — a breach of the principle that Lottery money must not replace Government spending. Since 2015, the number of NPOs has risen by 49%, and Lottery allocations to NPOs have reached hundreds of millions, including £35.76m for English National Opera. This diversion reduces the funds available to freelancers and small organisations, driving down NLPG success rates from ~50% to ~38%.

The analysis of Supporting Grassroots Live Music shows that while SGLM delivered transformative benefits, ACE’s response avoided acknowledging structural barriers. The new SGM fund, funded by DCMS rather than ACE, broadens eligibility and removes the ring fence that protected grassroots venues — diluting support and re‑exposing small venues to competition from larger organisations. Sector research shows the scale of the crisis: 11,000 venues lost since 2019, 1.5 million young people abandoning ambitions to perform, and the emergence of “live music deserts” where access to live music is becoming geographically unequal.

Across all sections, the evidence reveals a cultural system where institutional advantage is reinforced, grassroots infrastructure is collapsing, and Lottery funding is increasingly used to stabilise ACE’s portfolio rather than expand opportunity.

1.3 Conclusion

The document demonstrates that England’s Lottery‑funded arts system is no longer functioning as intended. National Lottery Project Grants have drifted from their purpose as an open‑access fund for freelancers, small organisations and experimental work. Additionality has been eroded, with Lottery money routinely used to support NPO core programmes. Grassroots venues and independent musicians face structural barriers, collapsing infrastructure, and declining access to funding.

ACE’s recent reforms — including restricted NPO eligibility — are welcome but insufficient. They do not address the deeper architectural problem: a centralised system that privileges institutions, lacks art form policy, and treats grassroots music as a temporary funding priority rather than essential cultural infrastructure.

The evidence points to one conclusion: only structural reform can restore fairness, rebuild the talent pipeline, and ensure Lottery funding delivers genuine public value. The New Deal’s dual‑pillar system, dedicated grassroots body, restored additionality, art form‑specific policy, and Recording Support Scheme will provide the coherent national framework required to reverse decline and deliver cultural democracy.

You can read the submission here

Open consultation on Copyright and Artificial Intelligence + The Culture, Media and Sport Committee State of Play Consultation

Open consultation on Copyright and Artificial Intelligence + The Culture, Media and Sport Committee State of Play Consultation

There are two consultations. The first is  on Copyright and Artificial Intelligence which closes at  23:59 on 25 February 2025. All the details are below

Here is my submission: Submission to the open consultation on Copyright and Artificial Intelligence from Chris Hodgkins

UK Music have kindly shared their briefing papers on the AI consultation and there is an excellent crib sheet that you should all find useful
What Will The Government’s Proposed Changes to the Rules on Copyright and Artificial Intelligence Mean for the UK Music Industry? – UK Music
Help Stop AI Robots Ripping Off Our Brilliant Music Creators – UK Music
What the Government’s Controversial Plans for AI Could Mean for the UK Music Industry – UK Music
UK Music AI Consultation – Cribsheet for Music Industry – UK Music

You can access all the details below courtesy of PPL

Government consultation on AI
In December, the Government published its AI Consultation paper and the AI Opportunities Action Plan which outlines plans to change copyright laws to allow Artificial Intelligence firms to use the work of music creators without permission or payment.
Share your views 
UK Music, the collective voice of the UK’s music industry, is asking everyone who makes a living from music to respond to the consultation to share their views, before it closes on 25 February. You can access their guidance on how to fill in the consultation below.
Read guidance

The Second consultation is the Culture Media and Sport Committee.

Here is my submission: State of Play DCMS Submission

The Culture, Media and Sport Committee wants to give everyone across the world of culture, media and sport the chance to suggest themes or sectors that they should look into.

This form will be open until 23:59 on Friday 21 February.

The link to the form is here 

Recipients Announced For 2025 Parliamentary Jazz Awards

Recipients Announced For 2025 Parliamentary Jazz Awards

The recipients of the 2025 Parliamentary Jazz Awards were announced on Tuesday 14th October 2025 at 8pm.

The Awards, are organised by the All Party Parliamentary Jazz Group (APPJG) and supported by the Musicians’ Union and UK Music. The recipients of the 2025 Parliamentary Jazz Awards will be announced on Tuesday 14th October 2025 at the World Heart Beat. The Parliamentary Awards celebrate and recognise the vibrancy, diversity, breadth and talent of the jazz scene throughout the United Kingdom.

The award categories reflect the ever-increasing scope of talent from within the UK’s jazz scene: Jazz Vocalist of the Year; Jazz Instrumentalist of the Year; Jazz Album of the Year; Jazz Ensemble of the Year; Jazz Newcomer of the Year; Jazz Venue of the Year; Jazz Media Award; Jazz Education Award; and the Services to Jazz Award. A special award was given this year in commemoration of the life and work of Martin Hummel, CEO of Ubuntu Music, who passed away in January of this year.

Dame Chi Onwurah MP Chair of APPJG, said: “These awards are a great opportunity to celebrate the talents and energies of the great musicians, educators, promoters, record labels, jazz organisations, blogs, jazz magazines and journalists who have kept jazz flourishing. These recipients demonstrate the wealth of talent and commitment that exists in the British jazz scene. Now in their 20th year, the Parliamentary Jazz Awards honour the best of British jazz. MPs and Peers in the All-Party Group are grateful to the Musicians’ Union and UK Music for supporting the event.”

Lord Mann Co-Chair of APPJG: “This has been another really strong year for the Parliamentary Jazz Awards in terms of talent and nominations. The well-deserved recipients are a veritable who’s who of names that have made a real impact on the music and helped make the UK one of the world’s leading jazz territories”.

Naomi Pohl General Secretary of the Musicians’ Union, said: “The Musicians’ Union is delighted to support the 2025 Parliamentary Jazz Awards. The recipients reflect both the phenomenal jazz talent we have here in the UK and the community built around them in the nations and regions. Congratulations to the recipients and all those nominated on their success to date”.

Tom Kiehl, Chief Executive of UK Music said: “The Parliamentary Jazz Awards, now in their 20th year, have demonstrated that Jazz in the UK continues to punch above its weight on the world stage and every year has produced a crop of recipients and nominees that demonstrate the talent and diversity of jazz in the UK.”

The Awards were introduced and presented by: Lord Mann and Chi Onwurah MP, Chris Hodgkins, Emily Saunders, Musicians’ Union Executive Committee, Sam Jackson, Controller of BBC Radio 3, Leslie Hummel, Mhari Aurora, political correspondent for Sky News, Steve Crocker of Leeds Jazz, Tom Kiehl, CEO UK Music, James Gero, CEO World Heart Beat and Julian Joseph, Honorary Patron of World heart Beat, Jane Cornwell and Jo White MP

The band were: Andrea Vicari (piano), Alison Rayner (bass), Tori Freestone (sax), Henry Lowther (trumpet) and Wilf Cameron Marples (drums)

The full list of recipients is as follows:

Jazz Vocalist of the Year

Zara McFarlane

Zara McFarlane is a multi-award-winning British jazz vocalist, composer, and Guildhall Fellow known for blending jazz with reggae, folk, and electronic influences. Her acclaimed albums, including “Arise” and “Songs of an Unknown Tongue”, explore heritage and identity with lyrical depth. A BBC Young Jazz Musician judge, she has collaborated with Louie Vega, Hugh Masekela, and Shabaka Hutchings, and performed globally with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. McFarlane’s genre-defying artistry and commitment to cultural storytelling have made her a leading voice in contemporary UK jazz.

Jazz Instrumentalist of the Year

Rob Luft

Rob Luft is a London-born guitarist and composer whose dazzling technique and melodic sensibility have earned comparisons to Julian Lage and John McLaughlin. A Royal Academy graduate and BBC New Generation Jazz Artist, he has released acclaimed albums on Edition Records and ECM, including collaborations with Elina Duni. Luft’s genre-blending style draws on jazz, West African highlife, English folk, and indie rock, creating a vibrant, contemporary sound. He is a sought-after sideman and soloist, performing across Europe and beyond.

Jazz Album of the Year

John Surman – Words Unspoken

Recorded in Oslo, “Words Unspoken” is a contemplative chamber-jazz album from saxophonist John Surman, featuring Rob Luft, Rob Waring, and Thomas Strønen. Surman’s baritone and soprano saxophones weave through minimalist textures and folk-inflected melodies, creating spacious, introspective soundscapes. At nearly 80, Surman continues to innovate, crafting music that is quietly radical and deeply resonant.

Jazz Ensemble of the Year

The Banger Factory

The Banger Factory Led by trumpeter Mark Kavuma, The Banger Factory is a dynamic London-based jazz collective known for its joyful energy, rich ensemble sound, and commitment to nurturing emerging talent. Blending hard bop, gospel, Afrobeat, and soul, the group has released acclaimed albums including “Warriors” and “Magnum Opus”. Kavuma’s launch of Banger Factory Records has amplified their creative vision and supported a new generation of artists. Regulars at Ronnie Scott’s and major UK festivals, The Banger Factory are celebrated for their vibrant performances and community-driven ethos.

Jazz Newcomer of the Year

Donovan Haffner

Donovan Haffner is a London-based alto saxophonist and composer whose music bridges neo-bop tradition with contemporary flair. A graduate of the Royal Academy of Music and Tomorrow’s Warriors alumnus, he has toured with Moses Boyd and performed at Glastonbury and Love Supreme. His debut album “Alleviate” showcases his quintet’s original compositions, marked by rhythmic drive and melodic sophistication. Donovan’s playing is both technically assured and emotionally resonant, positioning him as a compelling new voice in British jazz.

Jazz Venue of the Year

Digbeth Jazz

Digbeth Jazz is Birmingham’s reimagined weekly jazz night, formerly known as Jazz at The Spotted Dog and now hosted at The Night Owl. Run by local musicians, it showcases modern and swinging jazz with a fresh, inclusive vibe. The rebrand has expanded its reach, attracted diverse audiences and international artists and maintained its grassroots spirit. With a focus on community, innovation, and musical excellence, Digbeth Jazz has become a vital fixture in the Midlands jazz scene.

Jazz Media Award

‘Round Midnight with Soweto Kinch

‘Round Midnight with Soweto Kinch – Folded Wing for BBC Radio 3 Launched in April 2024, ‘Round Midnight is BBC Radio 3’s flagship late-night jazz show, hosted by saxophonist Soweto Kinch and produced by Folded Wing. Airing weeknights, it features live sessions, curated playlists, and festival recordings, spotlighting UK jazz alongside global traditions. With segments like “4/4” and “Flowers,” the show blends heritage and innovation, quickly becoming a vital platform for emerging artists and jazz storytelling.

Jazz Education Award

Doncaster Youth Jazz Orchestra

Doncaster Youth Jazz Orchestra (DYJO) Established in 1973 by John Ellis MBE, DYJO is one of the UK’s longest-running youth jazz programmes. Operating under the Doncaster Youth Jazz Association, it offers expert tuition and ensemble experience across four bands. DYJO has performed at the Royal Albert Hall, Ronnie Scott’s, and internationally, with alumni now active across the UK jazz scene. Celebrating its 50th anniversary with a double album, DYJO remains a beacon of excellence in regional jazz education.

The Martin Hummel Endeavour Award

Martin was on the selection panel of the Parliamentary Jazz Awards for many years and helped in raising sponsorship for the awards. At the last meeting of the panel this year it was felt that the Awards should celebrate Martins extraordinary life with an award that would reflect his own ethos which in a nutshell was “can do”.

Olivia Cuttill

Olivia Cuttill is a rising trumpeter, composer, and bandleader who graduated from Leeds Conservatoire in 2023. She leads her own quintet and has released several albums, including “Three’s A Crowd” and “The Whole Damn Plan”, showcasing a vibrant blend of swing, storytelling, and vocal-led jazz. An Emerging Professional with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, Olivia is known for her expressive playing, strong compositional voice, and dynamic live performances. Her work reflects a deep engagement with tradition while carving out a fresh, contemporary sound. Her latest album #2….And Writing And Singing And Tunes To Be Swingin’, has just been released and is available on her Bandcamp page.

Services to Jazz Award

Marianne Windham

Marianne Windham is a double bassist and tireless jazz promoter who left a successful career in software engineering to dedicate herself to music. She co-founded Fleet Jazz Club and chairs Guildford Jazz, a not-for-profit organisation that has hosted over 250 concerts, workshops, and festivals across Surrey. Known for her warm tone and community spirit, Marianne has raised over £36,000 for local causes while championing British jazz musicians. Her dual role as performer and organiser has made her a vital force in sustaining regional jazz culture and fostering inclusive, high-quality live music experiences.

Special APPJG Award

Chris Philips

Chris Philips is an award-winning broadcaster, curator, and advocate for contemporary jazz. Best known for hosting The Blueprint on Jazz FM, he’s a former Head of Music at the station and co-founder of Jazzed, the world’s first interactive jazz app. He co-curates Jazz in the Round with Jez Nelson, spotlighting cutting-edge artists in intimate venues across the UK. A passionate supporter of new music and innovation, Chris is also a patron of the National Jazz Archive. His work has helped shape the sound and visibility of modern jazz in Britain, both on air and on stage.

Ends

14th October 2025The awards are organised by the All Party Parliamentary Jazz Group (APPJG), co-chaired ”. by Dame Chi Onwurah MP and Lord Mann.

Notes to the Editor

The All Party Parliamentary Jazz Group (APPJG) currently has over 70 members from the House of Commons and House of Lords across all political parties. Their aim is to encourage wider and deeper enjoyment of jazz, to increase Parliamentarians’ understanding of the jazz industry and issues surrounding it, to promote jazz as a musical form and to raise its profile inside and outside Parliament. The Group’s officers as at the Inaugural Meeting  on 23rd July 2024 are the Chair, Dame Chi Onwurah MP and Deputy Chair, Lord Mann. The Officers are Jo White MP and Lord Crathorne with additional elected members, Neil Duncan-Jordan MP, Lord Spellar and Sarah Champion MP.

Recent reports can be seen here:

Submission to the open consultation on Copyright and Artificial Intelligence from Chris Hodgkins

Review of Jazz in England March 2025

State of Play: submission to the Culture Media and Sport committee

ACE Review a response from the All Party Parliamentary Jazz Group

The Secretary is Chris Hodgkins. The Secretary operates on a strictly pro bono basis and no expenses of any kind are paid to the Secretary. The contact address is: admin@appjag.org and the website is https://appjag.org/

Launch of the Review of Jazz in England

Review of Jazz in England: an Honest Portrait and an Actionable Roadmap – A Green Paper

Report plots ways for jazz to keep swinging

A cross-party Parliamentary focus group has published a review of jazz in England that sets out the way ahead for the music to flourish nationally over the next ten years.

The All-Party Parliamentary Jazz Group (APPJG), which sponsors the prestigious annual Parliamentary Jazz Awards, commissioned the report to shed light on the opportunities and challenges faced by one of the most vibrant components of the English arts scene.

Compiled by musician, radio presenter and former arts administrator Chris Hodgkins and musician and journalist Howard Lawes, the report draws on observations and input from some of the most experienced figures in jazz across England and provides an honest portrait of the jazz ecosystem, highlighting both areas of growth and the need for structural support.

“In recent years, the English jazz scene has grown more dynamic and multifaceted, encompassing a wide range of influences that resonate across generations and backgrounds,” says APPJG chair, Chi Onwurah MP. “But while the spirit of jazz remains vibrant, our musicians, promoters, educators, and venues face unique pressures that have been intensified by economic and cultural shifts, not least the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.”

The report recommends measures including strengthening the music’s support infrastructure and easing the effects of red tape to open up touring possibilities for musicians, both those seeking to work abroad and those from outside the country looking to play to local audiences.

“Like many creative industries, jazz faces considerable challenges including the effects of Brexit and the rapid evolution of technology,” says Chi Onwurah. “This review offers timely insights into these changes, mapping the landscape of jazz from the perspectives of those who live, perform, and support the music. The Review of Jazz in England is a consultative green paper and the APPJG, whilst happy to receive thoughts and ideas, is very keen to see action. With this in mind, we urge the Government to act on the findings within and to engage with the sector to better understand the challenges and opportunities our sector faces”

Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, chair of the Department of Culture, Media and Science Select Committee added: “I remain committed to advocating for policies that sustain and enhance the UK’s cultural sector. Jazz is a reflection of our society – diverse, inventive, and resilient. Its future depends on bold and collaborative action, and it is our shared responsibility to ensure its prosperity for generations to come.”

The Review of Jazz in England is available at Review of Jazz in England March 2025

For further information, contact: Chris Hodgkins at admin@appjag.org

23rd March 2025

Notes to  editors

All Party Parliamentary Jazz  Group

The All Party Parliamentary Jazz Group (APPJG) currently has over 73 members from the House of Commons and House of Lords across all political parties. Their aim is to encourage wider and deeper enjoyment of jazz, to increase Parliamentarians’ understanding of the jazz industry and issues surrounding it, to promote jazz as a musical form and to raise its profile inside and outside Parliament. The Group’s officers as at the Inaugaral Meeting  on 23rd July 2024 are the Chair, Chi Onwurah MP and Deputy Chair, Lord Mann. The Officers are Jo White MP and Lord Crathorne.

The Secretary  is Chris Hodgkins. The Secretary  operates on a strictly pro bono basis and no expenses of any kind are paid to the Secretariate. The contact address is: admin@appjag.org

For further details of the Group including recent minutes and please see: https://www.parliament.uk/about/mps-and-lords/members/apg/

Please note this is not an official website [or feed] of the House of Commons or the House of Lords. It has not been approved by either House or its committees. All-Party Parliamentary Groups are informal groups of Members of both Houses with a common interest in particular issues. The views expressed in these webpages are those of the group.