Jazz in Wales

Huw Warren workshops

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Roberts) — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 09:40:00 +0000

Huw Warren is hosting a series of workshops and jam sessions in Gwynedd this weekend.

Sat 28 June - 9pm - Y Fricsan (Snowdon Inn), Llanberis rd, Cwm y Glo, LL55 4EE - Huw Warren Trio + Jam Session - open invite to all players and a few surprise guests planned. Late night DJ set follows- free entry. See www.snowdoninn.co.uk for more details.

Sun 29 June - 10am-3.30pm - Jazz Day at the Galeri, Caernarfon
An exciting and fun day led by Huw Warren and Paula Gardiner and featuring young musicians from the jazz department of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Cardiff alongside players from the Gwynedd and Môn Youth Jazz Band.

Workshop 10am - 1pm - "Exploring Improvisation" - open to all ages (intermediate to advanced level). Followed by a performance at 2pm - a chance to hear Huw, Paula, and all the workshop participants perform in an informal and relaxed setting in Galeri’s Bar. Tickets £5 - call 01286 685222 for details.

Mon 30 June - 10.30am - Jazz for Juniors - Theatr Harlech
Concert and workshop for primary schools with Huw, Paula and students from the RWCMD
more info - 01755 760667

www.myspace.com/worldjazznetwork
www.myspace.com/huwwarrenmusic

Jazz Connection playlist 23 June 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Roberts) — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 13:50:00 +0000

Here's what I played on the Jazz Connection on Radio Cardiff 98.7 on Monday 23 June - including three tracks by the Esbjörn Svensson Trio (EST) as a tribute to the pianist who died last weekend:

Kenny Dorham - Minor's Holiday
EST - Tide of Trepidation
James Brown - There Was A Time (Kenny Dope remix)
Pentangle - Light Flight
Robert Walter - Maple Plank
George Benson - Summertime
EST - Little Rootie Tootie
Lauren - Glory Box
Tom Richards Orchestra ft Jamie Cullum - Smoke and Mirrors
Liberty Street Jazz Band - Bugle Call Rag
Red Eyed Fly - My Name Is On The Bills
EST - Believe, Beleft, Below

Click here to listen to the show online.

The next edition of the Jazz Connection is on Monday 7 July at 8pm - but I'll be back next Monday 30 June with my Middle Eastern beats and bellydance show, A Night in Tunisia.

The two shows will alternate on Monday nights for the forseeable future - let me know if you have any music suitable for either programme.

Julian Martin/James Chadwick Workshop - July 6

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Roberts) — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 09:16:00 +0000

Guitarist James Chadwick is setting up a one-day workshop with pianist Julian Martin on Sunday 6 July in Cardiff.

The course will include tuition from 10am till 5pm followed by a performance in the evening.

The cost is £50 - venue to be confirmed.

Email james2007guitar @ yahoo.co.uk for details.

Brecon shock at Esbjörn Svensson death

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Roberts) — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 11:27:00 +0000

Organisers of HSBC Brecon Jazz say they're saddened at the death of the Swedish jazz pianist and composer Esbjörn Svensson, who was due to headline at this year's festival.

Svensson (pictured centre with trio colleagues Dan Berglund and Magnus Öström) died in a scuba diving accident in Stockholm on Saturday. He was 44 years old.

The manager of the Esbjörn Svensson Trio (EST) Burkhard Hopper said: "Musically, he was the light that lit the world because in what he did he was pushing boundaries. His music inspired people in all corners of the world."

HSBC Brecon Jazz Festival Director Jim Smith said: "The Brecon Jazz team and I are extremely saddened by Esbjörn Svensson's untimely death.

"I'm sure I speak for many people in saying that it was truly a privilege to watch this man perform. He was a legend in the true sense of the word. My thoughts are with his family at this time."

Formed in 1993, EST produced a string of 13 albums, which brought both critical acclaim and commercial success. They were the first European combo to be honoured on the cover of the prestigious American jazz magazine Down Beat in 2006.

Following a 2005 sell-out debut at Brecon, EST were due to headline the Saturday night at this year's HSBC Brecon Jazz Festival, in a UK concert exclusive.

Esbjörn Svensson is survived by his wife and two sons.

See www.est-music.com for details of his life and work.

I'll be playing some tracks from the trio as a tribute in the next edition of The Jazz Connection on Monday 23 June.

Jazz jam for No Bar 2 Far

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Roberts) — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 08:13:00 +0000

Chris Gilligan leads a jazz jam to launch Friday Night Live on June 20 at No Bar 2 Far in Cardiff city centre.

It's the former Dewi's Bar, next to Cineworld and opposite Cardiff International Arena.

Anyone wanting to play needs only to bring along their instrument and have a word with Chris.

Friday Night Live will offer a range of bands with plenty of jazz and blues - future attractions including Virgil & the Accelerators on (July 4), Dave Arcari (August 1) and Jay Tamkin & the Crackers (August 22).

See www.myspace.com/fridaynightlivecardiff for more info.

Jazz at the Margam Festival

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Roberts) — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 09:35:00 +0000

Saxophonist Simon Spillet and the Dave Cottle Trio are among the attractions of this year's Margam Festival near Port Talbot in July.

They play a gig at the Orangery on Tuesday 8 July, starting at 8pm with tickets £7.50 and £6 concessions.

That's followed on Wednesday 9 July by saxophonist Alan Barnes with the Capital City Jazz Orchestra, also at the Orangery.

Support comes from the Liberty Street Jazz Band who kick off the evening at 6.30pm with the main event at 7.30pm.

There is a fully licensed bar and a traditional hog roast during the interval. Tickets cost £15 and £13 concessions.

See www.npt.gov.uk/margamfestival for more details.

Jazz Connection playlist 9 June 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Roberts) — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 17:24:00 +0000

Here's what I played on the Jazz Connection on Radio Cardiff on Monday 9 June:

Willie Nelson & Wynton Marsalis – Bright Lights Big City
Paul Weller & Robert Wyatt - Song for Alice
Jimmy McGriff – The Worm
Dave Stapleton & Matthew Bourne – Like Enlightenment*
Kevin Figes – Listless*
Dinah Washington – Cry Me a River (Truth and Soul Remix)
Bobby Previte & the New Bump – She Has Information
Ola Onabule – Never Known
Paula Gardiner Trio – In The Garden*
Tim Garland – Epilogue: From The Land
Mike Markey & Nick Jones – Filthy Rich
Bourne/Davis/Kane – De Selby's Earth*
The Jiveoholics – Jiveoholic Boogie
Jeremy Steig - Howling For Judy

*Tracks chosen and discussed by my special guest Dave Stapleton from albums on his new label Edition Records.

Hear the show right now at www.jazz-connection.co.uk

The next show will be on Monday 23 June - let me know if you have any gig info or CDs for use in future programmes.

Cardiff Jazz Festival - Sunday gig

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Roberts) — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 15:03:00 +0000

An extra gig has been added to the Cardiff Jazz Festival line up - a rare Sunday event for Cafe Jazz with the Rory Simmons Quartet and the Dave Stapleton Quintet on June 8.

After another successful year on the international jazz scene, it's a rare hometown gig for Cardiff-based Stapleton and the quintet. Featuring Dave Stapleton on piano, Jonny Bruce on trumpet, Ben Waghorn sax, Paula Gardiner bass and Elliot Bennet drums.

Trumpeter Rory Simmons has spent a year touring with Jamie Cullum and appears with a band made up of members of London’s Loop Collective - Ivo Neame on piano, Jaspy Hoiby bass and Dave Smith drums.

The gig starts at 8pm and admission is £6.

See www.myspace.com/cardiffjazzfestival for full details.

Gwilym Simcock on TV - June 9

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Roberts) — Fri, 30 May 2008 11:10:00 +0000

Jazz pianist Gwilym Simcock is one of five young Welsh artists profiled in Wales Got Talent Too on BBC Two Wales/2W on Monday 9 June at 7pm.

The 26-year-old from Bangor has won wide acclaim for his debut album Perception and previous work with Acoustic Triangle.

The programme also features pop singers Duffy and Karl Morgan, actress Kimberley Nixon, and writer Joe Dunthorne.

Viewers outside Wales can see the programme on Sky Digital channel 961.

Jazz Connection playlist 26 May 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Roberts) — Tue, 27 May 2008 09:22:00 +0000

Here's what I played on the Jazz Connection on Radio Cardiff 98.7 FM on Monday 26 May:

Nicola Conte - The Dharma Bums
Anita Wardell - Parker's Mood (Blues)
Jim Barber - Count Kant
Neon - Chu Chu
The Herbaliser - The Next Spot
Lowri Evans - Can't Decide
Fred Wesley and the JBs - Use Me
Evan Christopher - Farewell Blues
Nils Petter Molvaer - The Beginning (from the film Edy)
Kenny Clarke/Francy Boland - Un Grao de Areia
Top Shelf Jazz - Hello Mabel
Lalo Schifrin - Jim On The Move

Hear the show online at www.jazz-connection.co.uk

The next programme on Monday 9 June with be a special focussing on Edition Records, a new Cardiff-based contemporary jazz label launched by Dave Stapleton.

In the meantime, if you're a fan of Middle Eastern music, I've got two Night in Tunisia radio shows coming up.

On Wednesday 28 May from 8 till 10pm I'll be on the internet station www.salaamshalom.org.uk then on Monday 2 June I'm filling in for Tim Short's world music slot from 8 till 9pm on Radio Cardiff.

Gwilym Simcock at St David's

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Roberts) — Thu, 22 May 2008 16:25:00 +0000

Award-winning pianist Gwilym Simcock performs with his trio in the unique setting of St David's Cathedral in Pembrokeshire on Monday 26 May at 7pm.

The jazz concert is being staged as part of the cathdral's annual festival which runs from May 23 to 31 and mainly features orchestral and choral music.

Tickets cost £15, £11 and £7 with children aged 16 and under admitted free of charge.

See www.stdavidscathedral.org.uk for further details.

Smooth jazz on BRfm

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Roberts) — Wed, 21 May 2008 15:21:00 +0000

Smooth jazz fans in south Wales can enjoy two hours of their favourite music every week on community radio station BRfm.

Daryl Cook and Carl Smith present the show every Thursday from 5 till 7pm on the station which broadcasts to the Blaenau Gwent area on 97.3 FM from studios in Brynmawr.

Expect tunes from artists like The Rippingtons, Peter White, Gato Barbieri, Grover Washington, Take 6 and more.

See www.brfm.co.uk for more details and to listen online.

And don't forget my own Jazz Connection show every other Monday at 8pm on Radio Cardiff 98.7 FM and www.radiocardiff.org

Shaw and Simcock up for BBC awards

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Roberts) — Wed, 21 May 2008 12:48:00 +0000

Welsh stars Ian Shaw and Gwilym Simcock are among the nominees for the BBC Jazz Awards 2008.

Shaw, from St Asaph, is once again nominated in the Best Vocalist category which he previously won in 2004 and 2007.

Pianist Simcock from Bangor - winner of the Rising Star award in 2005 - is shortlisted for Best Instrumentalist and in the Best Album category for his debut release Perception.

The Best Album is one of several awards being decided by a public vote.

See the BBC Jazz Awards website for full details and to cast your votes.

The winners will be announced online following the awards ceremony at London's Mermaid Theatre on Monday 21 July.

Highlights will be broadcast on BBC Radio 2, and there'll be a special awards edition of Jazz on 3 on BBC Radio 3 on Saturday 26 July.

The Point wins stay of execution

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Roberts) — Wed, 21 May 2008 12:38:00 +0000

The Point music venue in Cardiff Bay has won a stay of execution after a court case over noise levels was dropped.

Owners of the converted church feared that a hefty fine could have forced the venue's closure.

But the case brought by a residential neighbour's complaint was dropped after the venue and Cardiff council agreed a £50,000 programme of soundproofing measures.

Owner Richard Jones told the BBC: "I am pleased that we are not fighting with the council across a courtroom today and that instead, after a lot of dialogue with them, we have agreed that the venue will be given time to commission internal works to reduce the noise emitting from the building.

The Point, which has hosted jazz gigs by bands including Acoustic Ladyland and the James Taylor Quartet in recent months, is now due to close temporarily in August for the soundproofing work to be carried out.

Read the full story on the BBC News website.

HSBC Brecon Jazz headliners named

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Roberts) — Tue, 13 May 2008 21:18:00 +0000

The headliners for the 2008 HSBC Brecon Jazz Festival have been announced as the mid Wales market town celebrates the event's silver anniversary from August 7 to 10.

Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra return for the opening night on Thursday 7th August.

On Friday 8th there'll be debut Brecon appearances by Cerys Matthews and Joan Armatrading, while legendary saxophonist Joe Temperley leads the 25th Anniversary Brecon All Stars with special guest Martin Taylor.

Other Friday night highlights include Mark Murphy's first ever gig in Wales, a Brecon debut for rising UK stars the Neil Cowley Trio, and Latin newcomers La Trova Oriente.

Saturday's attractions include Lee Konitz, EST, Roberta Gambarini, and Courtney Pine's tribute to Sidney Bechet.

On Sunday the festival closes with Maceo Parker, Abram Wilson, Dame Cleo Laine and Sir John Dankworth.

See www.breconjazz.co.uk for further details and booking information or call the box office on 0870 990 1299.

More star names will be announced in June and July along with details of the Stroller programme.

Festival Director Jim Smith said, "This is a very important and exciting year for the festival and Brecon town.

"25 years is an incredible milestone and much thanks is due to the many people who have worked so hard over the years.

"We will be staging around 100 events over the course of the 4 days of the festival and I am delighted that so many people locally, across Wales and the UK, and indeed internationally, have come together to make this unique event one which we're sure will be remembered for many years hence".

Last October HSBC Brecon Jazz was named Best Major Event In Wales at the Welsh Tourism Awards.

Jazz Connection playlist 12 May 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Roberts) — Mon, 12 May 2008 22:22:00 +0000

Here's what I played on the Jazz Connection on Radio Cardiff on Monday 12 May:

Caribbean Jazz Project ft Dave Samuels - Rendezvous
Cassandra Wilson - St James Infirmary
Thelonius Monk - Rhythm-A-Ning (Live at Monterey)
Jessie J - Tequila Moon
3 Square - Canteloupe Island
Brecon Jazz interview with Jim Smith
Burum - Yr Eneth Glaf (The Ailing Maiden)
Bluesy Susie - Cry Me A River
McCoy Tyner Trio with Joe Lovano - Mellow Minor
James Taylor Quartet - Theme from Starsky and Hutch

Hear the show right at www.jazz-connection.co.uk on my new improved radio player.

The next show is on Bank Holiday Monday 26 May at 8pm - keep sending me your CDs and gig info for use on the show.

And if anyone's interested, my new Middle Eastern and bellydance radio show - A Night in Tunisia - starts this Wednesday 14 May, 8 till 10pm on the internet station www.salaamshalom.org.uk

Cardiff Jazz Festival - June 3 to 10

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Roberts) — Fri, 09 May 2008 14:00:00 +0000

A second annual celebration of the Cardiff jazz scene is being lined up from June 3rd to 10th with the focus on youth and vibrancy.

Here's the line-up:

Tuesday 3 June
Alan Barnes with the Capital City Jazz Orchestra - Dempseys

Thursday 5 June - Jigsaw - Swell Bar

Friday 6 June - Top Shelf Jazz - Swell Bar

Friday 6 June - Heulwen Thomas Quartet - Palladino's

Saturday 7 June - Jones O'Connor Group - Swell Bar

Tuesday 10 June
The Lighthouse Project ft Gwilym Simcock - St David's Hall

Tuesday 10 June - Ashley John Long Big Band - Dempseys

For full details, see www.myspace.com/cardiffjazzfestival

Maria Pia de Vito and Huw Warren

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Roberts) — Fri, 02 May 2008 10:29:00 +0000

Award winning pianist and composer Huw Warren will be playing three UK concerts with the Italian jazz singer Maria Pia de Vito in May.

Their new CD Dialektos will be released in the summer and features several of Huw's pieces with Neopolitan lyrics from Maria.

The dates are as follows:

Saturday May 10th - 7.30pm - Jazzin' Llangollen 08
Royal International Pavilion, Llangollen
01978 860111
www.royal-pavilion.co.uk/jazz/

Sunday May 11th - 7.30pm - Theatr Harlech
01766 780667
www.theatrharlech.com

Tuesday May 12th - 1pm - Brighton Festival
Pavilion Theatre Lunchtime series
01273 709709
www.brightonfestival.org

New course replaces Glamorgan summer school

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Roberts) — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 09:42:00 +0000

Organisers of the cancelled Glamorgan Jazz Summer School have arranged a one week course at Trinity College of Music in Greenwich, London, from July 27 to August 1.

Course directors Dave Wickins and Buster Birch will be joined by a number of tutors who previously taught at Treforest, including Pete Churchill, Geoff Simkins, Chris Batchelor, Dave Cliff, Liam Noble, Steve Watts, Alison Rayner and Dave Hassell.

The college is located within the Wren-designed King Charles Court at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, and limited accomodation is available near the town centre.

See www.trinitysummerschool.co.uk for details.

In March the University of Glamorgan announced it was dropping the jazz course, which had taken place in Wales for more than thirty years, from its annual summer school because of funding issues.

It said the jazz course was one of several which didn't meet the university's objectives of "widening access and student progression" onto its Treforest campus.

Doubts remain over St Donats future

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Roberts) — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 13:00:00 +0000

Staff at St Donats Arts Centre in the Vale of Glamorgan are concerned that the Arts Council of Wales has yet to reinstate its £45,000 grant following a successful appeal against a decision to withdraw funding.

Despite an independent panel deciding that the ACW had made a wrong decision to withdraw the centre's grant, the council decided to call for further reports at a meeting last week.

The centre near Llantwit Major has hosted a string of jazz gigs by international and local artists as part of its varied programming, including Georgie Fame and the late Humphrey Lyttelton among its attractions over the last year.

St Donats chairman John Clarke said: "We are shocked that the Arts Council has not automatically restored our funding but instead has called for further reports from its officers and a review of the options.

"This continues the uncertainty which is highly damaging to the Arts Centre whose funding still runs out in July.

"The Arts Centre has been under threat of closure for the last three months and that threat remains a very real one whilst the Arts Council’s bureaucracy grinds on."

Vale of Glamorgan Assembly Member Jane Hutt said: "I regret that the Arts Council for Wales has not immediately reinstated the full funding base of St Donats Arts Centre following their successful appeal.

"As Vale AM, however, I am pressing for what I hope will be fruitful discussions about the future funding of the Centre and that appropriate funding sources will be identified".

The Chairman and General Manager are seeking urgent talks with senior officials of the Arts Council of Wales with the aim of immediately reinstating the centre's grant.

See www.stdonats.com for more details.

Jazz Connection playlist 28 April 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Roberts) — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 14:26:00 +0000

Here's what I played on the Jazz Connection on Radio Cardiff 98.7 on Monday 28 April:

Humphrey Lyttelton – Bad Penny Blues
Tony Kofi Quartet – If I Spoke My Mind
Dee Dee Bridgewater – Afro Blue
Jones O'Connor Group – A Crow for Every Crow
Jukka Eskola – 1974
Dylan Howe's Unity 4 – Law Years (Rehearsal)
Joe Williams – Get Out Of My Life Woman
Neil Cowley Trio – Scaredy Cat
Lee Jones – One Little Blue Note
Watcha Clan – Balkan Qoulou
Alboran Trio – Autumn Mist
Humphrey Lyttelton/Elkie Brooks – Do Your Duty
Dr Feelgood – Oyeh!

Hear the show online at www.jazz-connection.co.uk

The next show is in two weeks time on Monday 12 May - send your CDs and gig info to me at Room G089, BBC Wales, Cardiff CF5 2YQ.

Amigos in residence at Shore Pebbles

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Roberts) — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 15:47:00 +0000

Swansea-based gypsy jazz group The Amigos can now be seen in Cardiff every other Wednesday at the Shore Pebbles restaurant in Womanby Street.

The band, led by Gary Phillips, encompasses a range of styles from gypsy jazz to Cajun, bluegrass, country, French and Russian tunes.

The next gigs take place on Wednesday 30 April, 14 May and 28 May - admission is free.

See www.amigos-wales.com for more about the band who have a number of residencies and festival gigs in Swansea and west Wales.

St Donats hopes for grant reprieve

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Roberts) — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 10:40:00 +0000

Staff at St Donats Arts Centre in the Vale of Glamorgan have won a key battle in their campaign against plans by the Arts Council of Wales to cut their funding.

An independent panel has ruled in favour of the venue's appeal against the scrapping of their £45,000 grant.

The centre, which has hosted a string of gigs by international and local jazz artists, is hopeful that the ACW will accept a recommendation to reinstate the grant at a meeting on April 25.

It's understood the panel did not support an appeal by the Welsh Jazz Society over the loss of its £50,000 ACW funding, but the society is also hopeful that the council itself will reconsider their case.

Jazzin' Llangollen - May 9 to 11

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Roberts) — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 10:11:00 +0000

Jacqui Dankworth, Dave Stapleton and Kidsamonium are among the attractions of the second annual Jazzin' Llangollen weekend from May 9 to 11.

Festival organiser Huw Warren will also be perfoming with Italian Singer Maria Pia de Vito.

The main programme will be based at the Royal International Pavilion with other events taking place throughout the town.

See www.royal-pavilion.co.uk/jazz for further details.

Jazz Connection playlist 14 April 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Roberts) — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 10:51:00 +0000

Here's what I played on the Jazz Connection on Radio Cardiff 98.7 FM on Monday 14 April:

Gil Evans Orchestra – Crosstown Traffic/Little Miss Lover
The Megatons – Shimmy Shimmy Walk
Georgie Fame – Do It The Hard Way
Sensorium – The Wailers of Auchtermuchtie
Da Bone and Saxy Debbie – Night Train
Guajiro Mirabal – Mi Corazon No Tiene Quien Lo Llore
King Django - Buccaneer Bay
King Django interview
King Django - Catch That Train
Art Blakey – Alamode
Julie London – You and the Night and the Music
Nicolas Meier – A Rose in the Pyrenees
Salsa Celtica – Ya Llego
Top Shelf Jazz - Nagasaki
Heavy Quartet – Petite Fleur

Listen to the show at www.jazz-connection.co.uk - don't miss the next show on Monday 28 April.

Send your CDs and gig info to my new office address - Room G089, BBC Wales, Cardiff CF5 2YQ.