The Liam Grimm Bursary

Founded in 2008, the Liam Grimm Music Bursary is awarded to a deserving student who meets the following criteria:

• Is currently enrolled in Grade 12 in Campbell River, Qualicum or Comox Valley School District or is a Grade 12 graduate from one of these same school districts.
• Has a letter of recommendation from a school or private music teacher, and
• Has a letter of recommendation from a community music contact.
• Will attend a college or university jazz music programme in the same calendar year or the year thereafter, or will enrol in the Jazz Programme at the summer Courtenay Youth Music Centre
• For applicants attending Grade 12, bursary application and all pertinent documentation should be submitted to school counseling office by April 30th of the student's Grade 12 year. Application is then forwarded to the Georgia Straight Jazz Society for consideration. For applicants who have already graduated from high school, application and documentation should be forwarded directly to the Georgia Straight Jazz Society no later than April 30th.
• The applicant should submit a letter demonstrating his/her personal qualities that exemplify the following attributes of Liam Grimm:
The joy of studying and playing music in school and in turn, sharing one's personal music talents with community organizations i.e. community bands/choirs/pit orchestras/church choirs. The applicant should also describe his/her musical accomplishments and future plans in continuing to study in the jazz genre.

Funding of the Bursary is by a percentage of funds raised at events hosted by the Georgia Straight Jazz Society. Depending on funds raised, more than one student may be awarded a bursary.

For more information on the Bursary please contact georgiastraightjazz@gmail.com

2019 Recipients

Lachlan Craven graduated from Kwallkum Secondary school in 2019, achieving three consecutive appearances on the Principal's List, top Academic Student Award in 2017, earning membership in the Qualicum Beach Honours Society. By finishing his graduation reuirements early, he freed up time to practise his instrument and mentor younger music students. His dedication has paid off earning three "Most Outstanding Trumpet Player" awards at the West Coast Jazz Festival, a Gold Award and Provincial recommendation for Outstanding Performance at the Upper Island Music Festival in 2018 and 2019, Best Senior Vocal Soloist at the Surrey International Jazz Festival in 2019 as well as three years playing in the British Columbia Music Educatos Provincial Honour Jazz Band. Lachlan plans to pursue studies at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam at the Amsterdam University of Arts in the fall of 2019

Graduating from Mark Isfeld Secondary school in 2019, for the past 10 years, Towa Stewart has been studying piano and has earned many awards. A $2,000 Virginia Graczak Piano Scolarship, the Ruth Scott Memorial Chopin Competition in 2013, First Place for Junior Canadian Piano at the B. C. Festival of Performing Arts then in 2014 won the Junior B Category at Provincials. Awarded the Gold Certificate from the B. C. Registered Music Teachers Association for volunteering over 100 hours of musical service for his Courtenay community.

Towa also played trumpet in the school's Jazz Band. In September 2019, he will be attending the University of British Columbia to enrich his musical knowledge with the goal of becoming a concert pianist.

2016 Recipients

Evie Kinney

Aidan Reimer

About Liam Grimm

The jazz community lost a great friend and musician with the passing in March 2009 of Liam Grimm. A gentleman, always supportive, great fun to perform with, he will be missed.

Liam developed a taste for jazz from age 10, quickly becoming a fan of Harry James and infatuated with the harmonies and trumpet power of the "Maynard Ferguson" versions of the Stan Kenton band. He obtained his Bachelor of Music on trumpet at the University of Idaho (where he instigated jazz activities that ultimately became the internationally renown Lionel Hampton School of Music), and went on to acquire his M.A. in trumpet from Denver University as well as taking graduate studies in composition.

An improviser in the casual "West Coast" style, he was influenced by Pete Candoli with the Henry Mancini band and Don Fagerquist and Shorty Rogers with the Dave Pell Octet.  Others influences included the intimate styles of Jack Sheldon and Chet Baker and the "bop" sounds of early Miles and Kenny Dorham.

His favourite group setting was the mid-sized 8 to 12 piece 'small band', allowing for tasty arrangements and plenty of solo space. He greatly enjoyed backing vocalists.

Resident in Campbell River, Liam was busy on the local jazz scene, playing with Jazztown, The Blue Monks, First Pressing, Jazzberry Jam, Annie Siegel and Jazz Noir. His trumpet playing was a highlight of the Georgia Straight and Campbell River Big Bands.