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

Friday, May 30, 2008

Gwilym Simcock on TV - June 9

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.

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Jazz Connection playlist 26 May 2008

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.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Gwilym Simcock at St David's

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.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Smooth jazz on BRfm

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

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

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.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

HSBC Brecon Jazz headliners named

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.

Monday, May 12, 2008

Jazz Connection playlist 12 May 2008

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

Friday, May 09, 2008

Cardiff Jazz Festival - June 3 to 10

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

    Friday, May 02, 2008

    Maria Pia de Vito and Huw Warren

    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