A Mmino-supported production won prestigious prize

The Mmino-supported Crazy for Jazz won the prestigious 2010 YAMA AWARD! Thousands of fans voted for their favourite productions in this years’ Young Audiences Music Award (YAMA) and the juror’s verdict is finally in. 

A massive congratulations goes out to South Africa’s Jazz for Juniors production – Crazy for Jazz who have won the prestigious 2010 YAMA AWARD, Jeunesse Musicales International says in a press release.

-This award is of great importance to music life in South Africa, and an inspiration to keep on creating music productions to children and youth. Anne Moberg, Project Manager in Concerts Norway, says.

The production showcases the history of South African music genres, predominantly jazz and others like kwela and marabi. Crazy For Jazz traces the contribution of iconic musicians such as Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela, the Manhattan Brothers among others who have done wonders in the local South African music industry.

Rosie Katz, who is involved in the production, revealed that the show was born out of the desire to educate South Africa's youth about the history of South African jazz and encourage them to appreciate jazz and other home-grown music. She adds “South Africa is one of the few countries in the world with a rich, original and internationally recognised jazz music scene, so Crazy for Jazz is an educational musical production showcased to teach the youth the history of SA Jazz and sustain the SA musical heritage.”

The awards were introduced and presented by JMI President Per Ekedahl in Skanderborg, Denmark on the 3rd of October who, along with the judges was impressed by the high level of musical entries.  “On behalf of JMI, we are delighted to present this year’s YAMA to such a meaningful programme for the young people of South Africa.”

The People’s Choice Award was awarded to Argentinean maestro Sergio Feferovich, creator and director of ‘Around the World in a Violin’ Over 6,000 unique votes came in and our online audience voted for this production as their overall favourite.  “I am so very grateful to the YAMA judges and of course the fans of the show  - it is wonderful that La Vuelta al Mundo en un Violin has been recognised by this international Award.” said the conductor.

About YAMA:

The Young Audiences Music Award is a project of Jeunesses Musicales International (JMI) and the Young Audiences Productions are unique musical performances created to awaken imaginations, stir emotions, address current issues and motivate the further musical explorations of children and youth (aged 0-18).