Clarence Jazz Festival Scholarship

The Clarence City Council announced the recipients of this year’s Clarence Jazz Festival Scholarships, with a record four scholarships being awarded. 

The scholarship recipients are all in their final year of college and are experienced performers with a strong passion for jazz. 

Trumpeter Orlaith Badger, drummer Xavier Stanford, vocalist Jamie Walton and guitarist Ruben Beretta-Grande were selected from a large field of emerging jazz musicians as the 2024 scholarship recipients. 

“I have played trumpet for six years and the scholarship has recently held a bunch of masterclasses, and we got to learn with really cool musicians from Hobart,” Orlaith said. 

“Working with people you have seen play over your musical experience is mind-blowing, I have always looked up to these people and now get to play with them.”

Scholarship recipients receive a host of benefits, including one-on-one mentorship, tuition sessions with Tasmanian jazz gurus, a masterclass series and performance opportunities at Swinging Christmas 2024, the Clarence Jazz Festival Big Day and the Closing Night party. 

“Clarence City Council is immensely proud of this program which has been an invaluable launchpad for many of Tasmania’s best local jazz artists,” Clarence City Mayor Brendan Blomeley said. 

“This year, due to the incredibly high standard of applications, I am thrilled to announce that we are awarding four scholarships instead of the usual three.

“This demonstrates both the strength of the local jazz scene and reaffirms Clarence City Council’s commitment to supporting and fostering young artists.”