The Midhurst Jazz, Food & Blues Festival has opened nominations for its annual music bursary, with 10% of net proceeds from this year’s festival set to support one talented local student pursuing specialist musical education.
Taking place from Thursday 19th to Sunday 22nd November, the four-day festival will bring some of the biggest names in jazz, blues, soul and funk to Midhurst, while using its success to help create opportunities for the next generation of musicians.
Parents, teachers and schools across Midhurst, West Sussex and the wider South Downs region are now being invited to nominate a young musician who has demonstrated outstanding talent and the ambition to pursue music professionally.
The successful student will receive financial support towards the costs associated with progressing to a conservatoire or specialist music college, helping to remove some of the financial barriers that can come with taking the next step in professional musical training.
Festival Director Adam Page said: “From the very beginning, we’ve wanted this festival to leave something meaningful behind in Midhurst. Bringing world-class musicians to the town is a huge part of that, but so is making sure young people locally feel there is a pathway for them to follow.
“Studying music at the highest level can come with considerable costs, whether that’s auditions, travel, tuition or the wider expenses involved in specialist training. By putting 10% of the festival’s net proceeds towards one young musician’s journey, we hope we can make that next step feel a little more achievable.
The bursary forms part of MJFBF’s wider ambition to create a lasting musical legacy in the area, extending the festival’s impact beyond its four-day programme and supporting opportunities for young people to develop their talents.
Alongside the bursary, this year’s festival is also giving school pupils and members of local music groups aged 16 and over the opportunity to perform live on stage as part of the festival.
The initiative follows the success of the inaugural Midhurst Jazz, Food & Blues Festival in 2025, which attracted more than 5,500 visitors across ticketed and Fringe events.
Adam added: “Every ticket bought helps us support Midhurst and invest back into music. There’s so much musical talent across the region, so we’d encourage teachers, schools and families to nominate young musicians who could benefit. Helping one person access an opportunity they might otherwise miss would be a fantastic legacy.”
Nominations for the 2026 bursary are now open. To nominate a young musician, send details of the nomination to [email protected].
For further information about the festival, visit: https://www.midhurstjazzandblues.com/
