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, January 27, 2009

Jazz funeral on BBC TV

Members of the Acme Jazz Band can be seen on BBC One Wales tonight (Tuesday 27 January) performing a New Orleans style funeral number to mark the closure of the Engineers Arms in Newport.

It was filmed for the current affairs series Week In Week Out, which tonight looks at the plight of Welsh pubs, hit by the recession, the smoking ban, and pub company policies which some licensees claim are driving them out of business.

The programme can be seen on BBC One Wales at 10.35pm - it may also be available to see at www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer for the next seven days.

Following the closure of the Engineers Arms, a longstanding jazz venue, the Camelia Hot Four have moved their Monday night sessions to the nearby Oddfellows and Foresters Arms, as reported in this previous posting.

New move for Women in Jazz

Message from Jen Wilson:

"Women in Jazz have moved to new premises at 8 Salubrious Passage, off Wind Street, Swansea SA1 3RT.

"We are looking for new Trustees that can move our organisation forward. If you are interested in the arts, or music in particular, we would be very pleased to see you at our meetings.

"We are particularly interested in U3A members who might like to join us, and people with business or law backgrounds. Our current Trustees and Advisors are drawn from arts organisations, university, archives, museums and libraries.

"We are supported by The City & County of Swansea and receive funding from Heritage Lottery Fund, Arts Council of Wales, Communities First, etc.

"So far this year we have already contributed to an article for The Guardian, have done a live broadcast with Roy Noble for Radio Wales, are rehearsing for events at Monmouth Women's
Festival in March and Morriston Ladies Choir Annual Festival in April."


Contact Jen Wilson on 01792 456666 or email enquiries @ womeninjazzswansea.org.uk for further information.

Monday, January 26, 2009

Jazz Connection playlist 26 January 2009

Here's what played on the Jazz Connection on Radio Cardiff on Monday 26 January:

The Blue Note 7 – Mosaic
Ray Gelato – The Jumpin' Jive
Stan Sulzmann – Maudley
Buddy Rich Big Band – Ease On Down The Road
Kitty Bevan – Autumn Leaves
Julian Arguelles Trio – Warm Winter Coat of Spruce
Aaron Parks - Roadside Distraction
Organ Trio ft Jim Mullen – Blueberry Hill

Working Week – Venceremos (We Will Win)
David 'Fathead' Newman – Unchain My Heart
Richard Groove Holmes – Listen Here

The Jazz Connection goes out every Monday at 8pm on Radio Cardiff on 98.7 FM - you can also hear and watch the station live online at www.radiocardiff.org

Keep sending me your CDs and gig info for use on the show.

Monday, January 19, 2009

Jazz Connection playlist 19 January 2009

Here's what I played on the Jazz Connection on Radio Cardiff 98.7 on Monday 19 January:

Graham Bond Organisation - Wade In The Water
Tubby Hayes/Paul Gonsalves All Stars – Don't Fall Off The Bridge
Nicola Conte ft Jose James - The Nubian Queens
Jeff Lorber – Rehab
Jones O'Connor Group – Worker Bee
Laura Collins – Estate
Miles Davis – So What (Live in Holland 1960)
Coltrane Dedication - Mr PC

Don't forget the Jazz Connection is back on Radio Cardiff every Monday night 8 till 9pm - keep sending me your CDs and gigs for use on the show.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Jazz Connection playlist 15 January 2009

Here's what I played on the montly edition of the Jazz Connection on south Wales station GTFM 107.9 on Thursday 15 January 2009:

Gil Evans Orchestra - Crosstown Traffic
Stan Sulzmann - Krell
Imelda May - Smoker's Song
Jones O'Connor Group - Moondog
Freddie Hubbard - Red Clay
Davy Graham - Blue Monk
Jeff Lorber - Rehab
Pete Canter Quartet - Blues for Bill
The Amigos - Tu Djail
Woody Herman - Hush
Protect The Beat - Snake in the Grass
Julian Arguelles - Brushes
Gareth Roberts Quintet - Mop Dancing
Gareth Roberts interview
Gareth Roberts Quintet - Dysgu Cyfri (Learning to Count)
Eartha Kitt - Beale Street Blues
Ian Shaw and Sue Richardson - Sad Sweet Song
Heavy Quartet - Skaface
The Cliveden Set - Dinah
Organ Trio ft Jim Mullen - Smoke Gets In Your Eyes

The next Jazz Connection is on Radio Cardiff 98.7, Monday 8 till 9pm - I'll be back on GTFM on Thursday 12 February.

Keep sending me your CDs and gig info for use on all my shows.

New venues for jazz in Newport

The Camelia Jazz Band is launching a traditional New Orleans-style session every Friday afternoon from 2 till 5pm at the Riverside Tavern, Clarence Place, Newport (opposite TJs).

They'll be joined by guest musicians including Sam Simms, a guitarist dubbed Newport's Ry Cooder.

Admission is free and the pub is offering New Orleans themed meals.

Meanwhile following the closure of the Engineers Arms in Baneswell, the Camelia Hot Four has switched its Monday night sessions to the nearby Oddfellows and Foresters Arms (known locally as the Oddies) in St Mary's Street.

The Monday night sessions run from 8.30 till 11pm with free admission.

If anyone knows of any other Newport venues offering jazz, send the details by email to andy @ jazzinwales.co.uk

Jazz Connection on GTFM tonight

Just a reminder that my monthly Jazz Connection radio show for GTFM in the south Wales valleys goes out tonight (Thursday 15 January) from 7 till 9pm.

It'll include an interview with trombonist Gareth Roberts who is taking his quintet on their debut UK tour.


There'll be tracks from local bands such as the Jones O'Connor Group, the Amigos, the Heavy Quartet and the Cliveden Set, plus visiting stars Stan Sulzmann, Imelda May, Protect the Beat and Julian Arguelles. There'll also be tributes to Freddie Hubbard, Eartha Kitt and Davy Graham.

Tune in on 107.9 FM in south Wales, or listen live online at
www.gtfm.co.uk

Don't forget the Jazz Connection is also back on Radio Cardiff 98.7, every Monday 8 till 9pm.

Keep sending me your CDs and gig info for use on both stations.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Jazz Connection playlist 12 January 2009

Here's the playlist for the Jazz Connection, back on Radio Cardiff on Monday 12 January 2009:

Ronnie Laws – Always There
Ella Fitzgerald – I Heard It Through The Grapevine
Dave Jones Trio – The Leopard
Alex Wilson – Let's Stay Together
Julian Arguelles - Ghana
Gareth Roberts Quintet – Going Nowhere Fast

Gareth Roberts interview
Gareth Roberts Quintet – Dysgu Cyfri (Learning to Count)
Milt Jackson ft Freddie Hubbard – Sunflower
Davy Graham – Cry Me A River
Ray Thompson & Jim Barber – It Had To Be You
The Amigos – Icek
Dirty Dozen Brass Band – Charlie's Dozen
Protect the Beat – Intrepid
Randy Crawford & Joe Sample – Every Day I Have The Blues
Paula Gardiner Trio – In The Garden
Ian Shaw ft Sue Richardson – Sad Sweet Song
EST – Premonition I: Earth
Five Corners Quintet - Skinny Dipping
Eartha Kitt – Beale Street Blues
The Cliveden Set – Nagasaki
Soil & Pimp Sessions – Mars

This was a two-hour special to mark the return of Radio Cardiff to the airwaves - as of next week I'll be doing the Jazz Connection every Monday night 8 till 9pm.

That'll be in addition to the monthly Jazz Connection show which continues on neighbouring station GTFM this Thursday 15 January from 7 till 9pm.


I'm also doing a one-off bellydance show - A Night in Tunisia - on Radio Cardiff tomorrow night (Tuesday 13 January) from 8 till 9pm.

Tune in on 98.7 FM or check the website at www.radiocardiff.org to see if the webcast is back in action.

Jazz Connection back on Radio Cardiff

Sorry for the short notice but Radio Cardiff is back on air as of today - Monday 12 January.

I'm back tonight with a two hour special edition of the Jazz Connection from 7 till 9pm - classic tracks, hot new tunes and news about the jazz scene in Wales.

It'll also include an interview with well-known trombonist Gareth Roberts who'll be leading his quintet on their debut UK tour which starts this week.

The Jazz Connection will continue every Monday night 8 till 9pm on Radio Cardiff - tune in on 98.7FM - not sure when the webstream will be back on www.radiocardiff.org

And I'll still be presenting a monthly Jazz Connection this Thursday night 7 till 9pm on south Wales valleys community station GTFM on 107.9 FM and live online at www.gtfm.co.uk

There'll be a slightly different mix of music and in this case another chance to hear the interview with Gareth Roberts.

Keep sending me your CDs and gig info for use on any of these shows.

Thursday, January 08, 2009

Arts Council to co-ordinate Brecon rescue plans

The Arts Council of Wales is stepping in to co-ordinate the various rescue plans being proposed for the Brecon Jazz Festival.

The ACW is keen to see Brecon Jazz continue to offer "high quality, internationally significant jazz and related music" and activities which contribute to the local economy.

It's inviting people to submit expressions of interest by January 19 so the ACW can decide which if any it's willing to support with grants of just under £125,000 available for a festival in 2009.

Interested parties are asked to outline their plans in terms of artistic vision, proposed venues, marketing and promotion, overall management and financial projections, but not a detailed business plan at this stage.

Various rescue plans have been proposed from organisations including the Hay Festival, Theatr Brycheiniog and the Porthcawl Jazz Festival.

The ACW says it'll treat all submissions in the strictest confidence, although they may consult Powys County Council.

A decision will be taken at a full meeting of the ACW on January 30.

Click here to download the full Word document from the ACW inviting expressions of interest.

Tuesday, January 06, 2009

Stroller focus for Brecon Jazz rescue plan

A businessman who supports jazz in Abergavenny has put forward a detailed plan to save the Brecon Jazz Festival.

The proposed new Festival management team will be led by a new company formed by Ben Jones of the local Celtic Spirit Group and John Ellson of the international music and corporate events organization ESIP Ltd.

The co-directors of the new organisation say the Stroller programme will be the key element of the annual festival, and there'll be activities throughout the year to develop Brecon Jazz as a brand at a national and international level.

Ben Jones has recently restored the Kings Arms in Abergavenny, developing it as a music venue which has attracted jazz stars like Andy Sheppard and Martin Speake as well as supporting Welsh musicians. He was also a sponsor of Brecon Jazz 2008.

John Ellson is an international music and corporate events producer who has worked with leading artists including Ray Charles and BB King across three decades. He's also played a key role in the production and broadcasting of Brecon Jazz in recent years.


The directors believe the main focus of the festival should be on the Stroller programme, and plan to employ the current Stroller management team. They also aim to stress the community credentials of the event by making more use of the town's existing venues such as Theatr Brycheiniog and the Market Hall rather than temporary marquees.

There'll also be scope for performances from acoustic and blues artists from Wales, and they're not ruling out concerts by pop acts such as Cerys Matthews.

Other plans involve a year round approach to ensuring Welsh artists receive an international profile through the brand of Brecon Jazz and also Welsh Jazz.

The company will have a staffed office in Brecon to administer and deliver the Festival and associated events. A dedicated team will be led by John Ellson to programme and produce the Festival, whilst Ben Jones will lead the sponsorship team to maximise commercial and private investments. Together, they aim to ensure that all local community groups are engaged.


Other bids have or are been proposed by organisations including Theatr Brycheiniog, the Porthcawl Jazz Festival and the Hay Festival.

Read more on the BBC News website.

Monday, January 05, 2009

John Etheridge concert and workshop

Acclaimed guitarist John Etheridge appears in a rare solo concert at Theatr Mwldan in Cardigan on Friday 27 March.

Etheridge offers an uplifting evening of jazz, blues, folk, African grooves and more featuring tracks from his new album I Didn't Know.

He'll be supported by singer/songwriter Kit Holmes, whose music ranges from pop to folk, blues and soul.

Before the concert at 8pm Etheridge will hold a guitar workshop at 6.15pm suitable for players of all abilities aged at least ten years old.

Concert tickets cost £14 (£13 concessions), while the workshop costs £5 - if booking both you pay just £16 (£15 concessions).

See www.johnetheridge.com for more details.