QMusic has awarded the 2019 Grant McLennan Fellowship, worth $25,000, to Brisbane guitarist, songwriter and producer Jack Bratt.
Jack was announced as this year's winner of the prestigious grant at an award ceremony held at Smoked Garage in Brisbane (11 December) and was selected by a judging panel consisting of Sally McLennan, Ian Haug, Adele Pickvance, Kellie Lloyd and 2018 Grant McLennan Fellowship recipient Danny Harley.With a 15-year career built through live performance, songwriting and producing, Jack currently writes and performs with Golden Age Of Ballooning; he also recently co-produced Clint Boge's debut album 'The Butterfly Effect'.
Jack is also an in-demand session guitarist. "I'm beyond excited to be the recipient of the 2019 Grant McLennan Fellowship," Jack says.
"Not only is it an absolute pleasure to be recognised among the other finalists who are amazing songwriters, but to receive an award named after the late, great Grant McLennan means so much to me.
"I can't wait to travel to New York to write songs for my debut solo album, and soak up everything the city has to offer. Thank you so much to QMusic, APRA AMCOS, Arts Queensland, the judging panel and the McLennan family for this incredible honour, I'm over the moon."
The finalists shortlisted this year were Jack, Harriette Pilbeam (Hatchie), Georgia Potter (Moreton) and Leanne Tennant; each of them performed an original song and a Go-Betweens cover.
The Grant McLennan Fellowship was established in 2007 in honour of Grant's enduring influence on contemporary music and songwriting and awards annually one Queensland singer-songwriter an opportunity to travel to New York, London or Berlin for up to six months and use the experience of being immersed in a foreign and vibrant musical culture to further develop their own artistic skills.
"The Grant McLennan Memorial Fellowship, or 'Grant's Grant' as I refer to it, continues to honour my brother for his generosity of spirit towards fellow songwriting musicians," Grant's sister Sally McLennan says.
"This is a great way to champion Queensland singer-songwriters, giving the beneficiary of the Fellowship the opportunity to immerse themselves in the culture and ambience of their chosen city."
Of the Fellowship, Ian Haug says: "The right person doesn't need to be the person with the biggest team, the most runs on the board or the networking opportunities lined up. It's the connection to the place, the spirit of the Fellowship and the way the recipient will make use of their time."
The Fellowship is now in its 13th year. "This Fellowship is career-changing and will allow Jack to develop his artistic skills whilst widening his global networks," QMusic CEO Angela Samut says.
"Jack has his sights on writing and releasing music under his own, self-titled project in the near future and has plans to dedicate his time in New York to this. We wish him all the best in his international endeavours."
Congratulations to Jack as well as all of this year's finalists.
Previous Grant McLennan Fellowship winners
2018: Danny Harley (The Kite String Tangle)2017: Jeremy Neale (Velociraptor)
2016: Hannah Macklin (MKO Sun)
2015: Tim Steward (WE ALL WANT TO, Screamfeeder)
2014: Thomas Calder (The Trouble With Templeton)
2013: Seja Vogel
2012: Louise O'Reilly & Paul Hannan (Laneway)
2011: Scott Spark
2010: Danny Widdicombe & Andrew Morris (The Wilson Pickers)
2009: Helen Franzmann (McKisko)
2008: John Busby & Chris Dale (Halfway)
2007: Greg Charles
