In association with MQA and Bluesound, JAZZ RE:FEST 2020 will be taking place between 5-9pm BST on Sunday, August 23rd. The virtual showcase, held behind the closed doors of The Mill studios, will be streamed on the Jazz re:freshed YouTube channel. This is a great way to still support and expose musicians whose performance opportunities have dwindled in light of the global pandemic. The festival will, of course, be carefully coordinated to minimise the risks to the team and the artists. There will be a two-stage layout (stages on opposite ends of The Mill's ample studio space) with one being sanitised while the other is in use. Also, musicians will be socially distanced.

Furthermore, the performances will be simultaneously broadcast in MQA studio-quality audio via Bluesound's BluOS Controller app directly into the homes of Bluesound's hi-res speaker owners. Additionally, if you own a BluOS Enabled device from NAD Electronics, DALI Loudspeakers, or Monitor Audio, you can also enjoy the exclusive MQA audio stream through the BluOS Controller app.  

During the four-hour JAZZ RE:FEST you can expect to hear performances from both breakthrough and established acts including Binker Golding, Sahra Gure, Steam Down, Ms Maurice, Golden Mean, Jas Kayser and Anthony Joseph.

Adam Moses, co-founder of Jazz re:freshed, told StereoNET:

Despite barriers, we are still on a mission to celebrate a genre and musicians whose performance opportunities are severely reduced right now and to showcase the incredibly diverse, colourful, expressive and creative world of jazz music and alternative culture. The festival has been the perfect launchpad for pioneering artists such as Moses Boyd and SEED Ensemble, and it's great to return with a mix of fresh talent and established acts, and with the support of MQA and Bluesound to deliver the performances remotely in studio-quality resolution.

Mike Jbara, MQA CEO commented:

MQA is committed to helping artists connect with fans by allowing them to hear the full musical performance, as if they were there. The performers showcased at Jazz re:freshed events are brimming with originality and energy, and their artistry is fully revealed in this way. We are proud to be a small part of the events imagined by Jazz re:freshed.

Gord Simmonds, CEO and President of Lenbrook International, parent company of Bluesound and BluOS added:

We are very pleased to be able to support this unique event as it demonstrates the power of BluOS platform as more than just a hi-res multiroom audio distribution system… The ability to stream a music festival, in studio and life-like quality, directly into many thousands of users' living rooms around the world is an extraordinary way for artists to connect with their fans, and for the fans to be able to enjoy live performances again.

Finally, Jazz re:freshed recently won the title of Best Independent Label at this year's AIM Awards - congratulations to the team! 

The full festival will be streamed live from 5-9pm on Sunday, August 23rd via YouTube.com/jazzrefreshedtv and in MQA audio to Bluesound speaker owners and BluOS Enabled devices.