Bluesy Susie Big Swing workshops

Bluesy Susie is launching a monthly series of community big band workshops at the Comrades Club in Pontypool starting this Saturday 25 February 2012.

She's inviting players with a bit of experience to come along and play from a pad during the workshop part of the evening, which also includes an open mic section and a live performance by Bluesy Susie and the Jazz Junkies to end the night.

Aspiring singers are also welcome, as she's hoping to launch an adult gospel choir as a complement to her children's choir.

Doors open 7.30pm and admission for audience members is £5.

Future workshop dates are March 3 and April 14.

See www.bluesysusie.com for details of the workshops, which are in addition to the monthly Pontypool Jazz live music nights.

Live music in Monmouth under threat

The Queens Head in Monmouth says it may have to abandon its programme of free live music gigs every Wednesday and Sunday due to a fall in attendances and bar takings.

Music in Monmouth, an independent group which books the bands, says over-the-counter sales have fallen to the point where the pub is making a loss on live music nights.

The venue offers a wide range of jazz, blues, folk and roots, including visiting stars such as John Law and Asaf Sirkis along with local artistes.

They say they'll try to fulfil their existing programme, but won't take any more bookings unless things improve.

Organisers are urging people to support the venue by attending gigs, bringing friends, spreading the word, or becoming sponsors.

See the Queens Head website for details of forthcoming events.

Wonderbrass mark birthday with Olympic commission

Funky jazz band Wonderbrass are gearing up for London 2012 with performances of a specially commissioned piece of music to mark the Olympic Games.

With a new tune called Skip, Dash, Flow, they're the only Welsh act of the twenty taking part in New Music 20×12, a UK wide initiative to mark the games.

It'll be unveiled at The Globe, Albany Road, Cardiff, on Tuesday 21 February, ahead of the main performance at London's Southbank Centre in July.

Read the South Wales Echo report of their weekend of intensive rehearsals with Jason Yarde of Jazz Jamaica fame.

Live music red tape cut for small venues

Small venues could be given clearance to stage live music without a licence thanks to new laws which overturn part of the 2003 Licensing Act.

If approved by the House of Lords on 10 February 2012, the bill already passed by MPs will remove much of the bureaucracy which led to many venues abandoning live music altogether.

The changes mean that a licence will no longer be required for unamplified live music between 8am and 11pm, and for amplified live music between those times if the audience is no more than 200 people.

Jazz, folk and other non-mainstream music was hit particularly hard by the 2003 legislation, whose backers claimed it would lead to an increase in live music.

Read more on the BBC News website and share your views here on whether this law will remedy the effects of the 2003 act.

Jazz Jam at Buffalo Bar

Buffalo Bar in Windsor Place, Cardiff, hosts its first jazz jam session this Sunday 29 January 2012.

It'll be led by Kitty's Trio - Greg Evans on drums, Steve Tarner on bass and Beverley Gough on saxophone and vocals.

It's from 8 till 10.45pm and costs £3 or £2 concessions.

The frequency of jam sessions is to be decided but if well supported they could be on a monthly or six weekly basis.

See www.saxforfun.co.uk for more about Bev's workshops.

Brecon Jazz seeks new backer as Hay Festival pulls out

A search is beginning for a new promoter to run Brecon Jazz after the Hay Festival organisation announced that it is pulling out.

Brecon Jazz has suffered a number of financial difficulties, and the Hay Festival took over the running in 2009.

But director Peter Florence said it would be concentrating on the Hay Festival's 25th anniversary in 2012.

The Arts Council of Wales said funding would be available to other promoters willing to take over Brecon Jazz.

Former Brecon mayor Martin Wheale said a jazz festival would go ahead between 10-12 August next year.

Theatr Brycheiniog was a core venue in the new plans, he said, but there were other parties involved he declined to name.

Read the full story on the BBC News website.

Stan Tracey inspired again by Dylan Thomas

Stan Tracey has returned to Dylan Thomas for festive inspiration nearly fifty years after his seminal jazz suite based on Under Milk Wood.

A new suite based on A Child's Christmas in Wales includes the veteran pianist's first compositions for more than ten years.

A Child's Christmas Jazz Suite was recorded by Stan's current quartet, including son Clark on drums, with the addition of Stan's 21-year-old grandson Ben as narrator.

"I've always had a particular fondness for A Child's Christmas in Wales because it evokes so many memories of the festival when I was a child," said Stan.

"I was, therefore, delighted when Clark suggested that I should write something based on Dylan's story and wondered why I hadn't thought of it first.

"I hope the music reflects some of the pleasure it has given me."

The album is available on ReSteamed Records and is being performed in a series of Christmas dates around England.

See www.stantracey.com for more details.

Jazz Connection Christmas Special

If you're feeling festive, check out my Jazz Connection Christmas Special as heard on Radio Cardiff in recent years.

You can hear it right now on my website www.djandyroberts.co.uk

I'm still on a break from live broadcasting but may return to the airwaves in 2012.

In the meantime, please give your support to Rhys Phillips, Humie Webbe and everyone else playing jazzy sounds on Radio Cardiff.

And look out for me whenever Wonderbrass, Gaudy Orde or Rogora Khart are playing in your area.

Meadow play Cardiff with McCormack/Yarde

John Taylor, Tore Brunborg, Thomas Stronen join forces as the trio Meadow to play the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff on Thursday 20 October 2011.

Three of Europe's finest and most sensitive players, they'll be showcasing tunes from their album Blissful Ignorance.

Support comes from Andrew McCormack and Jason Yarde.

The gig starts 7.30pm, tickets £12 or £10 concessions.

Call the box office 029 2039 1391 or book online at www.rwcmd.ac.uk