WOW, WOW, WOW ….. what an amazing and busy 12 months it has certainly been for Jon Eno BEM, founder and CEO of Hot House Music.
From formally receiving his British Empire Medal at a ceremony in December in the presence of dignitaries, family, friends and colleagues [Jon was awarded his BEM in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2019], Jon is now one of only 3 individuals in the UK nominated for the Jazz Education Award in this year’s Parliamentary Jazz Awards.
The Parliamentary Jazz Awards, organised by the All Party Parliamentary Jazz Appreciation Group (APPJAG), celebrate and recognise the vibrancy, diversity, talent and breadth of jazz throughout the UK.
APPJAG currently has over 116 members from the House of Commons and House of Lords and their aim is to encourage wider and deeper enjoyment of jazz, to increase Parliamentarians’ understanding of the jazz industry, to promote jazz as a musical form and to raise its profile inside and outside Parliament.
It is particularly pleasing for Jon that nominees are initially selected via an online public vote, something which Jon truly appreciates and values, with the final shortlist voted on by a selection panel who represent a broad cross-section of backgrounds, comprising jazz industry experts and professionals, all united in their passion, like Jon, for jazz and in particular jazz education.
Jon comments “I’m truly humbled to be included on this shortlist and in the company of some of the kindest souls in music on the planet. Please do give them all a read and listen to their music, they are sensational and your support is sincerely appreciated.”
This nomination is well-deserved recognition for the work Jon and the Hot House team undertake throughout the UK. They passionately believe that all young people deserve the right to access inspirational music education via their innovative approach to jazz and contemporary music. In doing so they strive to ensure there are no barriers to entry for less fortunate young people.
The COVID-19 crisis proved to be another significant WOW moment for Jon but not such a welcome and positive WOW as recent award news! The crisis situation has certainly proved a challenge for the Hot House Music team, who lost 100% of their revenue overnight. In response to the school closures and the sudden lockdown measures Hot House Music, through Jon’s COVID-19 Opportunity Plan, pivoted their business within 24 hours and migrated all its services onto a digital platform. They now offer a safe and secure provision of online e-Lessons (available throughout the UK).
Hot House Music and their inspirational educators deliver lessons and ensembles at many schools in Wales and the surrounding area. Parents have welcomed the provision of online e-Lessons, which have provided an essential structure, stability and contact for young people during the school closure. Neil Southgate, Hot House Music Director for Swansea commented “The feedback has been overwhelmingly kind and positive and something which we are incredibly proud of.”
Fancy trying an online lesson? Give the Hot House team a call on 03303 200 880 or book a FREE trial via www.hhmusic.co.uk.
In reflection Jon comments “We must always remember why we exist, what we are trying to do and what we must put in place to ensure that our company ethos and positive character helps those we connect with. Hot House is a social enterprise that exists to positively change lives through music and has an aspiration to reach 1.6% of all school pupils in the UK, which is somewhere in the region of 124,000 students!”
Another significant achievement this year is Hot House’s development of their own record label, Hot House Records, that is exclusively reserved for Hot House students, alumni and staff and music from their amazing young musicians can now be listened to on over 15 different streaming platforms.
Another, and really positive, WOW moment came with Hot House’s most recent release from their Manchester Director, Wil Pearson, whose original composition, I Wish You Well, had its world premiere 29th May, prior to its official release on 31st May. There have also been recent releases from the Hot House gifted and talent, and truly sensational, Screaming Kicks Big Band and their saxophone ensemble, Saxophonix.
Why not check out recent Hot House uploads on any of their streaming platforms?
Huge congratulations to Jon and the whole team at Hot House for their achievements in the last 12 months, especially during these very challenging times, in their endeavour to ensure that access to world-class jazz education is available to all young people across the U.K.
Why not follow more of the WOW moments from Jon and Hot House Music by following them on social media.
Twitter: @jon_eno @hhyouthjazz
Instagram: jonenocreate @HHMusicSchool
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkaORHodGtGp7jaSslHQFhg
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/HHMusicSchool/posts/?ref=page_internal
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/2796596/admin/
The winners of the 2020 Parliamentary Jazz Awards will be announced at 8:30 pm on Tuesday 30th June 2020 so GOOD LUCK and fingers crossed for Jon.
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