James Morrison Jazz Scholarship Finalist – AbimifOluwa Onamade

The Carey Music Department is delighted to announce that College Captain and drummer extraordinaire, AbimifOluwa Onamade, has been selected as a 2022 finalist for the highly prestigious James Morrison Jazz Scholarship.

Identifying, recognising and rewarding musical excellence, the James Morrison Jazz Scholarship is open to jazz musicians aged 19 and under. The Scholarship forms part of the Generations in Jazz (GIJ) festival hosted every year in Mt Gambier, South Australia by internationally acclaimed jazz maestro James Morrison.

Carey has attended GIJ for many years, sending big bands, smaller jazz combo’s and vocal ensembles to be part of the graded, adjudicated competition. There are always many esteemed national and international guest artists, concerts and workshops, and GIJ takes place in the ‘world’s largest modular tent’, catering to over 5000 like-minded music students.

Carey has had many favourable results in the competition side of the festival, including winning the Division 2 National Stage Band award in 2016. Unfortunately, the festival was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID, but it has returned this year in a hybrid, online format.

Every year as part of the festival an outstanding student is awarded the James Morrison Jazz Scholarship which provides $10,000 to assist in the development of their musical career.

Abim joins Carey alumni Jackson Van Balleygoyen, Sam Newman, Will Pethick, Harry Mitchell and Lachie Glover as former finalists, and is hoping to emulate Jayden Blockley who won the scholarship in 2018.

From all of us, best wishes Abim!