Pontypool - never mind the rain
Thousands of people enjoyed the sixth annual Jazz in the Park festival in Pontypool (Sept 1 to 3) despite heavy rain over most of the weekend.
Maybe the bad weather helped boost the cameraderie and festive atmosphere at the event, which in my view benefitted from the fact that it was largely restricted to three marquees in Pontypool Park rather than spread across town as in previous years.
Top attractions like Chris Barber, Humphrey Lyttelton and Jacqui Dankworth played to sell-out crowds, and my own band Wonderbrass got a great reception on Saturday night - we even delighted stallholders and shoppers with an afternoon set in the market.
And Georgie Fame with the Alan Skidmore Quartet rounded off a great weekend in the main marquee on Sunday night.
Organisers from the Torfaen Jazz Society are already planning ahead for next year's event.
In the meantime look out for their Friday night sessions at Sebastopol Social Club - see www.torfaenjazz.org.uk.
Read a review by the South Wales Argus, or share your own views by clicking the Comments link below.
posted by Andy Roberts @ 11:38 am
1 Comments:
At 12:49 pm ,
Andy Roberts said...
Thanks Alf - you make some useful points about the sound quality and band access to the venues, but I think you're being a little harsh with regards to the line-up.
In addition to headliners like Barber, Humph and Fame, there were plenty of quality acts true to the jazz tradition - whether your brand of purity be trad, bebop, or modernist.
Maybe you should ask the organisers to refund your £3 if you feel short-changed?
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