Serious is delighted to open applications for the 16th Edition of Take Five, its flagship talent development programme for emerging jazz and improvising musicians.

Every year Take Five gives eight of the most talented creative jazz artists in the UK the opportunity to take time out to develop their craft, build the professional side of their careers, and make vital new musical and industry connections – offering mentorship, collaborations, performance opportunities, and funding – serving as a pivotal moment in their careers which frequently leads to wider recognition, touring, record deals, and more.

The programme’s alumni list reads as a who’s who of the British jazz scene ranging from Polar Bear’s Seb Rochford (who took part in the very first edition) to Sons of Kemet and The Comet is Coming’s Shabaka Hutchings, British/Bahraini trumpeter Yazz Ahmed to saxophonist Nubya Garcia, as well as musicians from outside the traditional jazz idiom but with a foot firmly in improvisation such as electronic musician Leafcutter John, conductor and arranger Jules Buckley, and Korean flautist Hyelim Kim.

In light of Covid, the scheme has now been adapted to take place in multiple parts:

• first is a series of online seminars, panel discussions, and workshops that brings some of the most influential industry experts that Serious invites based on the needs of the eight selected artists
• then we bring the eight artists together for a 5 day residency where they collaborate on each other’s music led by our musical director Jason Yarde, as well as receiving performance coaching
• following the residency the artists continue to receive tailored guidance from Serious’ experienced staff as well as further mentorship from other music industry professionals, based on the artists’ needs and areas of interests
• Serious also provides the artists with performance opportunities at the EFG London Jazz Festival and elsewhere – in particular as part of a “Take Five Presents” showcase which was launched in 2020.

To be considered for the scheme, artists must be between the ages of 25-35 OR have been working as a professional musician for between five and ten years, be primarily based in the United Kingdom (but do not need to a UK national), be leading their own band and/or composing their own music, and demonstrate exceptional talent and future potential.

Details at: serious.org.uk/TakeFiveApply