The Richard Turner Jazz Fund is awarded annually to an undergraduate jazz student. Founded in memory of a gifted young trumpet player - Richard Turner - who passed away in August 2011, the prize of £1,100 is presented to a deserving young musician, ideally with connections to Leeds or Yorkshire.
We are pleased to announce that the eighth and final recipient is the talented guitarist and composer Stan Brunt, pictured, who is currently in his second year of the BMus jazz programme.
On receiving the award Stan commented: 'I am incredibly proud to have been awarded the Richard Turner Jazz Fund award. It is especially meaningful because Richard came from a similar area of Leeds and my Yorkshire roots are very important to me. I will be using the money to buy a new guitar, which will enable me to get closer to the sound I hear in my head but have not been able to achieve on my current instrument. I am very grateful to Richard’s family for this opportunity and hope that they will be able to hear me play at a gig in Leeds some day.'
Richard’s mum, Christine, said: 'As always, I enjoyed reading the applications and wish all of the talented young jazz musicians every success. In Stan we have a very worthy recipient of the award in its closing year. I wish him success and fulfilment in the rest of his time at the Academy. Richard’s family and I have been deeply touched by the love and affection Richard’s friends and colleagues have shown in his memory, not least in raising the funds which have enabled us over the last few years to help young jazz students. We would also like to thank the Royal Academy of Music, Nick Smart and Richard’s friends for all their work in administering this award over the years.'