PBS in association with the Melbourne International Jazz Festival are delighted to announce Victorian Jazz composer/performer, Timothy Willis as the winner of the PBS Young Elder of Jazz Commission. It's our annual initiative promoting innovation and excellence in jazz composition.
We congratulate Tim who has been awarded $10,000 for the creation and presentation of his new work. His composition “Night & Day” will be broadcast on PBS and premiered at the 2013 Melbourne International Jazz Festival.
"I'm honored and elated to be chosen as the recipient of the next year’s Young Elder of Jazz Commission; I'm looking forward to making the most of this opportunity and will endeavor to produce an outstanding final work. It will mean that I can write new and challenging music and explore new ideas and concepts. I'd like to thank PBS, the Melbourne International Jazz Festival and Mark Newman of K2 Asset Management, for giving me this opportunity" said Tim Willis.
The aim of the Commission is provide support for composers at a pivotal point in their career, and to encourage creative flair and distinction in the jazz idiom. The PBS Young Elder of Jazz Commission is an initiative of PBS 106.7FM, in association with the Melbourne International Jazz Festival, and is generously supported by Mark Newman of K2 Asset Management.
