I am deeply grateful to have received the Arts Foundation Fellowship for Jazz Composition. The timing of this award has been both crucial and transformative for my career. It has not only supported my current and future compositional work but also enabled me to take greater ownership of the narrative surrounding my artistic output.
Before receiving the fellowship, I was widely regarded as a jazz bassist and performer. This perception was reinforced by accolades such as the Worshipful Company of Musicians’ Young Jazz Musician Award early in my career, and more recently, Jazz FM’s Instrumentalist of the Year. While I remain proud of these achievements, they have at times unintentionally limited how I am viewed, particularly as I now seek to be recognised primarily as a composer.
To begin shifting this perception, I created my album Balance as a kind of musical business card demonstrating my ability to compose for strings, brass, and woodwinds. The release of Balance coincided with the fellowship, which powerfully reinforced this transition. As a result, the critical response focused more on my compositional voice. Reviewer Hannah Compton noted: “A master at his craft, Casimir produces exceptional arrangements that make him ‘an artist to watch’ within the UK Jazz scene and beyond. In 2024, Casimir released his latest album Balance. The project delivers a 7-song masterpiece which features some rising stars and phenomenal musicians as collaborators.”
Most recently, I completed three orchestral arrangements for the Nu Civilisation Orchestra. This is an opportunity that may not have been possible without the validation and momentum provided by the fellowship. I remain truly grateful for the award and for the new pathways it continues to open in my creative journey.