The people of Perth voted in their numbers to secure Perth Concert Hall's success at the Scottish Traditional Music Awards 2008 where it was named Venue of the Year. Now sister venue Perth Theatre is getting in on the act with 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:
"We are thrilled with the nomination. Perth Theatre Redrooms is the perfect venue for intimate jazz gigs and we have seen some stunning performances there from both emerging and well-known acts.
"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. Julian Argüelles, whose ‘Intimate Voices' has been nominated in the Best CD category at the Scottish Jazz Awards, is a regular visitor to the venue. Fellow Scottish Jazz Award nominee Brian Kellock, whose CD ‘The Nine Mile Burn Sessions' is also up for an award, has performed in Redrooms with Liane Carroll. Exciting Scottish trio NeWt, Neil Cowley Trio and Sing Sing Penelope from Perth's twin town Bydogszcz have also played the venue.
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. 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 3 June at http://www.jazz-in-scotland.co.uk/sja.htm
The Awards will be presented as part of the Glasgow International Jazz Festival on Monday 22 June 2009 at the Tron Theatre in Glasgow.