Jessica Mary York, the singer-songwriter voted Best Newcomer by visitors to this year’s Marlborough Jazz Festival, has been presented with her award by the festival’s major sponsors Brewin Dolphin.
Jessica, now 21, who began playing the piano when she was only four, was an outstanding hit at the summer festival, one of the most successful ever.
Turning her back on studying for an English and film degree at Exeter University, she decided to pursue her musical dreams and last year enrolled on a year-long music course at Brighton.
Since then she and her band have been gigging extensively, wowing audiences with their infectious jazzy-pop sound.
“It’s such a great pleasure to give this award to Jessica, not least because coming from West Lavington she’s a local lass,” said Brewin Dolphin’s Stephen Depla at the presentation ceremony last week.
“Jessica is an amazing talent and we’ve no doubt that she’ll go a long way.”
Jessica said: “Receiving this award is an immense honour for me. The standard of the festival is so high and to be recognised in this way is truly humbling.”
“I must say thank you to my band who are phenomenal musicians and thank you so much to everyone who took the time to vote.”
“Thank you to Brewin Dolphin, Nick Fogg and all others involved to put on such a magical weekend of world class music, year after year. I’m proud to be a part of it.”
Jessica received her trophy at a special event hosted by Brewin Dolphin at Bath’s award winning design-led department store, Rossiters.
