RENOWNED jazz musician James Morrison will be stepping down from his role with Generations in Jazz (GIJ).
After more than three decades as artistic director, he will be leaving the role, although he has said he will likely return in another capacity.
Mr Morrison said it was time to pass on the reins to someone else.
“After 33 years, I think it’s time to hand the role to someone else, for a fresh perspective for GIJ and to pursue some other challenges myself,” he said.
“It’s been an incredible three decades and there’s nothing like it anywhere else – what a privilege to be a part of something so special.”
After so many years, he said there were so many good memories it was hard to choose a favourite moment.
“It’s always inspiring and there have been so many highlights; the first time we had international guests the Big Phat Band, when we had the Adelaide Symphony, 2019 with the International Jazz Day contingent and many more moments,” he said.
He said he will miss hearing all the young musicians performing.
Now, he will be turning his attention to establishing the new iteration of the James Morrison Academy.
“We will have it ‘popping up’ all over the world,” he said.
Generations in Jazz organiser Karyn Roberts said that while they were sad to see him go, Mr Morrison would always be a part of the Generations in Jazz family.
“We are all sad but he will still be involved, but it will be at his discretion how he chooses that to be,” she said.
“His connection to the event is like family and that won’t change.
“I think it will be nice for James just to come and play without that other consideration and come as a guest artist.”
The board will soon start looking for someone to take on the artistic director role.
“It will be different but it will also be exciting to offer the opportunity to explore some options for somebody else who might be the age James was when he got involved in the event, and give them that same opportunity,” she said.
“I think the board are certainly going to embrace the opportunity to talk to some different people, and there will be an announcement when that decision is made.”
