THE national jazz community has sung the praises of two up and coming musicians who were awarded prestigious scholarships at the Generations in Jazz festival on Sunday.
At the ripe age of 16, Sydney-based Newtown High School of the Performing Arts student Damon Poppleton was crowned the 2019 James Morrison Scholarship winner, receiving $10,000 to support his ambitions.
Generations in Jazz artistic director James Morrison said Damon was one example of a talented musician excelling beyond their age.
“Occasionally a musician comes along who plays beyond their years,” Mr Morrison said.
“We usually say how good they are for their age but at only 16 years of age, Damon would be called great if he played like that at 50.”
Damon said he was not expecting to receive the scholarship due to his young age.
“I also have an EP (to be released) soon so I will be allocating some of the funds for licensing,” he said.
“I have been looking at purchasing a new horn for a while now so this might fast-track my progress.”
Damon started playing the drums aged five and switched to the saxophone at 10.
“This will be my seventh year playing and I have definitely grown in skill and confidence over those years,” he said.
This year was Damon’s first year at the festival and he said it had been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“I have met some acclaimed musicians I would not be able to anywhere else,” he said, adding he would like to return.
Brisbane-based Adelina Martinez won the vocal scholarship sponsored by The Border Watch Newsgroup, taking home $10,000 and a day in the recording studio with ABC Jazz.
Adelina said she was overwhelmed with the opportunity.
“I am just flattered and touched and honestly hope to do it justice,” she said.
“Something Lizz (Wright) said was about giving someone an affirmation who needed it right now and I think that fits me perfectly.”
Adelina said the cash prize and studio time would empower her journey.
“It is going to help me take my dreams further and help work on myself rather than working on other people,” she said.
“I do not come from a musical-orientated background with my parents originally from a migrant country.
“I would say the arts was not valued so it has always been a struggle to do what I do.”
Adelina started taking musical lessons at the age of 15.
“This was when I started taking music seriously,” she said.
“I was fortunate to meet teachers who sent me on the path and gave similar support in the way James Morrison and surrounding South East mentors give.
“This mentor relationship has made me who I am today.”
