British band reject Parliamentary Jazz Awards nomination due to government’s stance on Gaza
The British jazz group Ferg’s Imaginary Big Band have rejected a nomination from the Parliamentary Jazz Awards, citing the government’s stance on Gaza for their refusal.
The Leeds-based band, helmed by composer Fergus Quill, are known for spritely live shows and bombastic arrangements. They took to social media to announce their refusal to accept the nomination, though first admitting that they had entered themselves in the awards.
“To be frank,” the statement on Instagram began, “We did know about this beforehand but forgot to withdraw in time before the nominations were announced.” They were nominated in the ‘Jazz Ensemble of the Year’ category.
The Awards, often abbreviated to APPJG, invite over 70 MPs and Peers to organise the event with support from the Musicians’ Union and UK Music to promote jazz appreciation and support the industry.
Ferg’s Imaginary Big Band revealed that they have now contacted the organisers to withdraw from the awards. They also revealed that, in the email informing them of their nomination, “we were asked to not attend the awards if we felt particularly strongly about the government’s policy and actions.”
The statement continued, “We cannot in good faith accept this nomination from a parliamentary group in light of recent events, in particular the lack of action by the government towards the ongoing genocide in Gaza and the disregard shown by notable politicians towards the lives of Palestinians. This, along with the prosecution and intimidation of peaceful protesters whilst far right groups gather outside asylum seekers’ accommodation without consequence, makes our association with parliament at this time untenable.”
They then took to describing the current situation in the arts scene, which is widely perceived to be underfunded.
“We would like to advise the All Party Parliamentary Jazz Group that if they really do wish to ‘increase understanding of the jazz industry and issues surrounding it’,” they added, “that they address the growing censorship of musicians and creatives, fight to uphold citizens’ right to protest, stand up for the rights of marginalised groups including trans and disabled people, and fund the arts to keep access to music accessible and not reserved for a select few.”
The band signed off with the simple slogan “Peace and love and death to fascism (for real this time).”
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