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

Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Downloading Dave Stapleton

Cardiff-based pianist Dave Stapleton is making available for download all the scores from his quintet's debut album When Life Was In Black And White.

Each download includes the score as well as the parts for each instrument except drums.

They're available from
www.davestapleton.com/shop/ where you can also preview the first page of each tune.

DSQ will be playing at Black Mountain Jazz at the Crown and Sceptre, Mardy in Abergavenny on Wednesday 7 February at 8pm - the gig will include tracks from their forthcoming second album.

Other forthcoming gigs include:

  • Fri 2 March - London - Queen Elizabeth Hall - 5pm
  • Sat 7 April - Cardiff - Wales Millenium Centre Foyer - 6pm
  • Sat 14 April - Isle of Wight Jazz Festival
    (Conway Suite and DSQ)
  • Fri 11 May - Bristol - BeBop Club - 9pm

    Dave is also playing in a duo with saxophonist Ben Waghorn at the Wales Millennium Centre foyer on Sunday 11 February at 1pm.

    For more details see
    www.davestapleton.com
  • Tuesday, January 23, 2007

    Meet Jim Smith of Brecon Jazz

    A message from Paula Gardiner:

    "I am inviting all Welsh jazz musos to meet at Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, North Road, Cardiff, on January 25th, 6 till 8 pm, in order to meet Jim Smith from Brecon Jazz Festival.

    "I am keen, and so is Jim, that people responsible for booking Brecon Jazz know what is happening in Wales and who is doing what, bands, musicians etc interested in playing the festival.

    "The idea is that it will be informal. People can drop in, say hello etc. I will provide a form for bandleaders to fill in so we can look at building a database of local players and bands. Any demo CDs will be appreciated but web addresses also welcome.

    "It's really important that Brecon Jazz is as much as an inspiration to players now as it always has been for me ... I do hope that everyone interested in the festival and being part of it can make it.

    "If people are unable to attend due to gigs or geography I am happy for them to contact me by email - Paula.Gardiner @ rwcmd.ac.uk."

    Brecon Jazz 2007 takes place from August 10 to 12 - for more details see
    www.breconjazz.co.uk

    Jazz and more in Bwlch-y-groes

    Frank Franklin sends news of a new season of gigs at the Bwlch-y-groes community hall near Crymych in north Pembrokeshire:

  • Fri 9 Feb - Jive Five Band
  • Fri 23 March - The LaZZee River JaZZband
  • Fri 20 April - TBA
  • Sat 28 April - Karl’s Bavarian Brass - www.oompah.net
  • Sat 5 May - The Rae Brothers New Orleans Jazz Band
    - www.neworleans.co.uk

    Ticket prices are normally £4 - bring your own refreshments.

    For more details contact Frank on 01239 698251 or email jazznjive @ toucansurf.com

  • Thursday, January 18, 2007

    Steve Waterman Big Band Course

    Steve Waterman returns to Wales to run another Contemporary Big Band Jazz Course.

    It's taking place at the Diplomat Hotel in Llanelli from March 30 to April 1.

    Spaces are limited so sign up soon to avoid disappointment.

    More details at www.swjo.co.uk

    Wednesday, January 17, 2007

    Send Fred Snow to Australia










    You may think that being transported Down Under like a common criminal is nothing more than Fred Snow deserves - so here's your chance to make it happen!

    Cardiff's chief purveyor of 1930s-style jazz-related smut is looking to raise around £3,000 to cover air fares to Australia for himself and his Top Shelf Jazz crew - Steven Coombe, Chris O'Connor and Mark Green.

    Fred says: "We willl be house band in 3 or 4 different venues in Melbourne during the International Comedy Festival in April. We're going to try and make up for the awful ashes debacle by claiming to be Welsh and not caring much..."

    If you can help Fred find the funds so he doesn't have to work his passage on a cruise liner, call him on 07835 023152 or email frederick_snow @ hotmail.com

    For more about Fred and co see
    www.topshelfjazz.co.uk

    Monday, January 08, 2007

    Chadwick/Martin Residential Workshop

    James Chadwick and Julian Martin are leading a residential workshop in Somerset over the weekend of February 2-4.

    The course aims to improve your individual improvisation skills by understanding how chord changes work, and to develop your band performance skills by using space and listening, understanding different jazz styles and more.

    It takes place at Huntstile Organic Farm, Goathurst, nr Bridgewater, and costs £160 including shared accommodation and meals. Private accommodation can be negotiated separately with owners of the farm.

    For more details contact Julian on 07717 855305 or James on 07714 539663, or email info @ julianmartin.co.uk

    Black Mountain Jazz 2007

    Abergavenny's Black Mountain Jazz club is back after the Christmas break with two events a month at The Crown & Sceptre, Mardy:
    • Wednesday 10 January - Kevin Figes Quartet
    • Sunday 21 January - Jones O'Connor Group
    • Wednesday 7 February - Dave Stapleton Quintet
    • Sunday 18 February - Martha Skilton Quartet
    • Wednesday 7 March - tbc
    • Sunday 18 March - Marcia Pendlebury Quintet
    • Wednesday 4 April - Azhar Saffar Quartet
    • Sunday 15 April - Mojas

    For full details, see www.black-mountain-jazz.org.uk

    Mumbles Mostly Jazz and Blues

    The Mumbles Development Trust are going ahead with another jazz and blues festival this year over the bank holiday weekend of May 4th to 7th.

    The line-up includes the Laurence Cottle Big Band with Claire Martin, Bruce Adams, Jeff Hooper, Keith Little Hot Six, Martin Drew’s New Jazz Couriers, The Amigos, Descarga Cubano and the Brian Breeze Rhythm & Blues Band.

    The 2 main venues are the Marquee at Southend Gardens and the Ostreme Centre. There are Blues events taking place simultaneously along with other events in pubs and clubs in Mumbles.

    Ticket info and full listing from:

    Mumbles Development Trust
    4 Dunns Lane
    Mumbles
    Swansea
    SA3 4AA
    Tel 01792 361012
    www.mumblesmostlyjazzandblues.co.uk

    Tickets are also available at Swansea Jazzland every Wednesday or from Dave Cottle on 07802 912789.