Jazz in Wales

News about gigs, festivals, famous names, new artists and more compiled by DJ Andy Roberts in Cardiff, Wales. Send your updates to andy @ jazzinwales.co.uk

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Women in Jazz Allstars - Dec 1st

Elissa Evans has news of a big event: "Friday 1st December is a VERY big night - the Women In Jazz Allstars evening at Swansea's Grand Theatre, upstairs in the Depot stage, from 8pm.

"It will be showcasing Ladies (plus a 12yr old piano whizz!) that WIJ has helped during our Sunday swingband workshops made possible by the Arts Council of Wales.

"It will have a mix of Blues, Jazz, Torch, Diva and Big Band songs! And the lovely Afrotawe dancers will be shaking their stuff!"

Tickets are available from the Grand Theatre Box Office on 01792 475715.

See www.womeninjazzswansea.org.uk for details.

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Azhar Saffar at the Riverfront

The Azhar Saffar Quartet brings a unique blend of bebop violin and Latin grooves to Newport this Thursday (November 23) for the latest Jazz Packet session at the Riverfront arts centre.

Azhar is best known as the vocalist with one of the UK's leading Brazilian bands, Sirius B, but the quartet gives her the chance to explore her love of jazz.

If you were hoping to see Nigel Kennedy's cancelled jazz concert at St David's Hall this week, you'll find this gig to be very much in the same vein.

And once again I'll be hosting the night and will be playing some appropriate tunes before the gig and during the interval.

It's the last Jazz Packet session of 2006 - if we have a good turnout, we'll do a few more in 2007.

For more details, see www.newport.gov.uk/riverfront

A470s - University of Glamorgan Big Band

The A470s Big Band is a community group based in and supported by the University of Glamorgan at Treforest.

Membership is open to students and non-students alike, and they play a varied programme of swing, Latin, funk and blues at a wide range of gigs and functions.

See them at these forthcoming events:

  • Sat 2 Dec - Patsies, St Dyfriggs Hall, Treforest - 8pm
  • Sun 3 Dec - Alfred's Bar and Grill, Pontypridd - 8pm
  • Weds 6 Dec - Clwb y Bont, Pontypridd - 8pm
  • Sun 14 Jan - Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff - 3pm
  • Sun 4 March - Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff - 3pm
  • Sat 5 May - Patsies, St Dyfriggs Hall, Treforest - 8pm

  • For more about the A470s Big Band see the website at http://afourseventies.mysite.orange.co.uk

    Steve Waterman dates

    Trumpeter Steve Waterman returns to Wales for a string of dates:

    • Tues 28 November - Dempseys, Cardiff
      with Alun Vaughan bass, Dewi Young drums, Jim Barber piano

    • Weds 29 November - Swansea Jazzland
      Steve Waterman and Bruce Adams with Dave Cottle piano, Alun Vaughan bass, Dewi Young drums

    • Thurs 30 November - Congress Theatre, Cwmbran
      Steve Waterman with Bruce Adams and Russell van den Berg and The Steve Waterman Jazz Orchestra

    • Friday 1 December - Sebastopol Social Club, Pontypool
      Steve Waterman Quartet
    For more details see Steve's website at www.swjo.co.uk

    Wednesday, November 08, 2006

    Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band - the Surreal Thing

    Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band with guests Adrian Edmondson and Phill Jupitus

    "Magical jazz" was one of the phrases being bandied about at St David's Hall as surreal Sixties legends the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band called into Cardiff on their 40th anniversary reunion tour.

    There were plenty of jazz fans in the audience enjoying some quality musicianship among the slapstick and Pythonesque humour, featuring guest star comedians Adrian Edmondson and Phill Jupitus.

    Read Nicholas Whitehead's review of the show on the
    BBC South East Wales website.

    Thursday, November 02, 2006

    Jed Williams Memorial Concert

    The St David’s Hall Jazz on the Level series in Cardiff pays tribute to Jed Williams and his tireless dedication to the Welsh jazz scene in this year's annual Memorial Concert on Tuesday 21 November.

    It's headlined by the Kirk Lightsey Trio - Detroit's favourite piano master is joined by his regular team of bass player Steve Watts and drummer Dave Wickins for a powerful performance of swing.

    Alos appearing is the Osian Roberts/Steve Fishwick Quintet, acclaimed for their hard driving, swinging bop classics and originals, firmly rooted in the style of The Jazz Messengers, the Golston/Farmer Jazztet and the Miles Davis Quintet.

    Tickets cost £12 with reductions available and are available via the St David’s Hall Box Office on 029 2087 8444 or online at
    www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk