Femi Koleoso, Little Unsaid, Nubya Garcian and Ola Szmidt are the four recipients of the latest round of Steve Reid InNOVAtion Awards.
All four unsigned artists will receive cash bursaries from the PRS for Music Foundation and Steve Reid Foundation, and vinyl manufactured by MODO. They will also benefit from invaluable support and mentorship from the Steve Reid Foundation trustees.
Drummer Femi is bandleader of award winning band Ezra Collective and MD for internationally acclaimed rapper Pharoahe Monch. Little Unsaid is John Elliott, a multi-instrumentalist, producer and songwriter.
Nubya, 24, is a saxophonist, and has just graduated from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. Ola Szmidt is a singer-songwriter, musician, flautist and producer based in York.
Commenting, Ola said: ‘Receiving the Steve Reid Foundation’s financial support and mentoring from Gilles Peterson and Four Tet, whose work I’m influenced by makes me feel humble and honoured. When I was seven years old I was totally mesmerised by the radio stations I was able to find from all across the globe. Despite not understanding a word, the music was a healer, an imaginary friend. It transformed what was sometimes a tough reality into a better place.’
Vanessa Reed, PRS for Music Foundation executive director, said: ‘Huge congratulations to the four talented music creators who’ve been selected for this unique award and mentoring package. I look forward to following the creative steps they take over the next year as they continue to innovate, collaborate and work on new projects.’
Previous winners of backing from the scheme include Lady Vendredi, recent MOBO Award winning Moses Boyd, Hector Plimmer, Wu-Lu, and recent Ninja Tune signee Sarathy Korwar.
Visit the PRS for Music Foundation website for more information.
All four unsigned artists will receive cash bursaries from the PRS for Music Foundation and Steve Reid Foundation, and vinyl manufactured by MODO. They will also benefit from invaluable support and mentorship from the Steve Reid Foundation trustees.
Drummer Femi is bandleader of award winning band Ezra Collective and MD for internationally acclaimed rapper Pharoahe Monch. Little Unsaid is John Elliott, a multi-instrumentalist, producer and songwriter.
Nubya, 24, is a saxophonist, and has just graduated from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. Ola Szmidt is a singer-songwriter, musician, flautist and producer based in York.
Commenting, Ola said: ‘Receiving the Steve Reid Foundation’s financial support and mentoring from Gilles Peterson and Four Tet, whose work I’m influenced by makes me feel humble and honoured. When I was seven years old I was totally mesmerised by the radio stations I was able to find from all across the globe. Despite not understanding a word, the music was a healer, an imaginary friend. It transformed what was sometimes a tough reality into a better place.’
Vanessa Reed, PRS for Music Foundation executive director, said: ‘Huge congratulations to the four talented music creators who’ve been selected for this unique award and mentoring package. I look forward to following the creative steps they take over the next year as they continue to innovate, collaborate and work on new projects.’
Previous winners of backing from the scheme include Lady Vendredi, recent MOBO Award winning Moses Boyd, Hector Plimmer, Wu-Lu, and recent Ninja Tune signee Sarathy Korwar.
Visit the PRS for Music Foundation website for more information.
