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

Saturday, February 28, 2009

The Point music venue closes

The Point music venue in Cardiff Bay has closed with immediate effect.

The owners of the converted church blame the closure on difficult trading conditions and the burden of debt incurred by soundproofing work last year.

The Point has hosted a range of rock, jazz, blues and world music gigs, including Dr John, Acoustic Ladyland, the James Taylor Quartet and, most recently, Imelda May.

A statement on the venue's website says: "Many people have put their heart and soul in turning the Point into the magical venue that it is and we have received huge and loyal support over the years from fans and bands alike.

"We would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for that support. It is a very sad day for us and for the live music scene in Cardiff."

Read the full statement here or see the story on the BBC News website.

Monday, February 23, 2009

Jazz Connection playlist 23 February 2009

Here's what I played on the Jazz Connection on Radio Cardiff on Monday 23 February:

The Blockheads – Hold Tight
Tom Harrell – Prana
Geoff Eales Trio – Iolo's Dance
Kitty Bevan – Scarborough Fair
Taffronaut v Chupacabra - Ruff D
Eduardo Niebla – A Night in Beirut

Martin Speake – I'm In The Mood For Love
Lee Morgan – The Sidewinder
Nikka Costa – Love to Love You Less
Gilad Atzmon – Everything Happens To Me
Peggy Lee – Sitting on the Dock of the Bay

Thanks to everyone for their good wishes during my time recovering from eye surgery - and to everyone who's been keeping me up to date with their new CDs and gig news.

The Jazz Connection goes out every Monday night at 8pm on Radio Cardiff - and don't forget the Jazz Train with Humie Webb at 10am on Sundays, focussing more on classic tracks and the legends of jazz.

Tune in on 98.7 FM or watch and listen live online at www.radiocardiff.org

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Porthcawl Jazz Festival - April 17-19

Alan Barnes and Kenny Ball are among the attractions of the 2009 Porthcawl Jazz Festival, which takes place from Friday 17 to Sunday 19 April.

Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen open proceedings on the Friday night at the Grand Pavilion, while Saturday's programme kicks off with a Jazz Workshop presented by the quartet Blue Chip in the Pavilion at midday.

Throughout the afternoon, six leading local bands will be on offer at the Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl Hotel and Brentwood Hotel, venues situated within two hundred metres of each other. Appearing will be the Dominic Norcross Quartet, Keith Little Trio, Lewis Clement Quartet, Jigsaw, Liberty Street Jazz Band and Round the Horn.

The Saturday programme culminates with a Gala Performance in the Pavilion at 7pm featuring Alan Barnes, the Capital City Jazz Orchestra and special guests from the USA, Janice Mitchell, Jim Beishline, B D Lenz, James Rosocha and Josh Orlando.

Trinity Church will be holding a Jazz Service at 11am on the Sunday followed by a free-entry Jazz Brunch at the Hi-Tide Inn, where the Liberty Street Jazz Band will be playing from12.30 until 3pm.

The Festival winds down at the Grand Pavilion Cafe Bar with the James Chadwick Trio from 3.30 until 5.30pm.

Tickets from £5 are available from the Grand Pavilion box office on 01656 815995.

For more details see www.porthcawl-jazz-festival.com

Meanwhile organisers of the event are also involved in plans to ensure the Brecon Jazz Festival goes ahead this year, following concern at plans by the Arts Council of Wales to postpone the event till 2010.

Welsh Jazz Society calls it a day

The Welsh Jazz Society is to cease trading on 31 March 2009 after more than thirty years of operation due to the loss of its public funding.

Formed in 1978, the Cardiff-based charity has actively promoted jazz of all styles through its support for performance and education.

As well as managing Cafe Jazz as a live music venue, the WJS has been instrumental in initiatives throughout Wales, including the annual Brecon Jazz Festival, the former Glamorgan Jazz Summer School, and concerts at Theatr Clwyd Cymru in Mold.

But the writing has been on the wall since February 2008 when the Arts Council of Wales announced it was scrapping its annual grant of £50,000 to the WJS.

The society will effectively lie dormant while a new organisation - Jazz Productions Wales - will be launched in April to take over the operation of Cafe Jazz as a venue for live jazz, blues and related music.

Its programme of weekly residencies, special events and jam nights will remain in place with the continued support of the venue's owners Duttlan Hotels.


See www.jazzwales.org.uk for more about the Welsh Jazz Society or www.cafejazzcardiff.com for details of the venue's programme.

Click here to read my earlier story about the WJS funding crisis.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Brecon Jazz to go ahead in 2009

The Mayor of Brecon has confirmed that the town will stage a jazz festival in 2009 following concerns that a "gap year" would badly damage the town's economy and the long term future of the event.

Following the collapse of the festival's organising company at the turn of the year, the Arts Council of Wales said in their view it would be "too risky" to stage an event this year, and had invited two groups to submit plans for a festival in 2010.

This prompted concern from the mayor Martin Weale and others who believed that Brecon couldn't afford not to stage an event worth £4m to the local economy.

He says a decision to go ahead with a smaller festival in 2009 was taken following a meeting he held on Monday with representatives of Celtic Spirit, Theatr Brycheiniog and Porthcawl Jazz Festival.


They've agreed to work together to stage a jazz festival in Brecon town centre from 7 to 9 August, booking Theatr Brycheiniog, the Guildhall and the Market Hall for the event.

The Mayor says he's had indications that subject to normal procedure, Powys County Council would be willing to provide financial support for the festival.

Further updates will be available on the Brecon Jazz website at www.breconjazz.co.uk

See also the BBC News website for more information.

Monday, February 16, 2009

Jazz Connection playlist 16 February 2009

Here's the playlist for tonight's Jazz Connection on Radio Cardiff 98.7 FM - a special edition of the show celebrating some of the best bands on the Welsh jazz scene:

The Numbers Racket - Swingin' Like a Wrecking Ball
Jones O'Connor Group - Pumpkin
Jim Barber Trio - Tachycardia
The Amigos - Russian Lullaby
Paula Gardiner Trio - Riding on the Back of the Salmon
Laura Collins - Mohawk
Burum - Alawon (The Songs of Welsh Folk)
Keith Little Band - Choo Choo Ch'Boogie
Gareth Roberts Quintet - Going Nowhere Fast
Dave Stapleton Quintet - Aquamarine
Top Shelf Jazz - Nagasaki

Tune in on 98.7FM or listen live online at www.radiocardiff.org

This is a pre-recorded show as I'm unable to present it live tonight - I should be back next week with the usual up-to-the-minute mix of new tunes, local talent and gig guides.

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

Friday, February 13, 2009

Brecon Fringe Festival to go ahead

Organisers of the Brecon Fringe Festival insist the event will go ahead in 2009, even if the main jazz festival doesn't take place.

It follows a decision by the Arts Council of Wales to invite two groups of bidders to submit plans for an international jazz festival in 2010, saying it was "too risky" to contemplate a festival this year after the organising company ceased trading.

A statement on the Fringe website declares "t
he Arts Council of Wales does not own Brecon Jazz Festival. Anyone could put on a jazz festival in Brecon provided they had the funds to do so."

The Fringe festival has operated parallel to but independently of the official jazz festival for a number of years.

As well as staging rock and blues gigs, the Fringe has increasingly offered opportunities to local jazz bands from south Wales who'd suffered from cutbacks in street gigs run by the official festival.

See the Brecon Fringe website for more details.

The Fringe has also set up an online petition calling on the Welsh Heritage Minister Alun Ffred Jones to use his influence on the Arts Council of Wales to ensure the main jazz festival goes ahead in 2009 - see the petition right here.

Monday, February 09, 2009

Jazz Connection playlist 9 February 2009

Here's what I played on the Jazz Connection on Monday 9 February on Radio Cardiff:

Us3 ft Gareth Williams – Come On Everybody
Gangbe Brass Band - Nikki
Martin Speake/Bobo Stenson – Change of Heart
The Amigos – Tu Djail
Bobby Montez – African Fantasy
Heavy Quartet – Skaface
Nathan Riki Thomson – Illalla
The Bannau Trio – The Bannau Brycheiniog
John Coltrane Quartet – Greensleeves
Gareth Williams Power Trio
– For Alun Lewis, Hedd Wyn and the others

Melody Gardot – Over The Rainbow
Lionel Hampton – Psychedelic Sally

The Jazz Connection goes out every Monday night 8 till 9pm on Radio Cardiff - tune in on 98.7 FM or watch and listen live online at www.radiocardiff.org

You can also hear Humie Webbe present the Jazz Train every Sunday morning 10 till 11am on Radio Cardiff - expect classic tracks from the legends of modern and mainstream jazz.

Thanks to everyone who's been sending me CDs and gig info for use on the show - keep it coming!

Wednesday, February 04, 2009

Swansea venue seeks jazz bands

The No Sign Bar in Wind Street, Swansea, is launching a jazz night on alternate Tuesdays in its refurbished basement, now know as The Vaults.

They're keen to offer gigs to all types of jazz bands, from established acts to up-and-coming outfits.

Bands are welcome to bring their own PA or, if necessary, the venue will hire one in.

Contact Mike Griffiths on 07794 074530 for details.

Tuesday, February 03, 2009

Brecon Jazz rescue "too risky" for 2009

There'll be no Brecon Jazz Festival in 2009, for the first time in 26 years, despite efforts by the Arts Council of Wales to co-ordinate a rescue of the event following offers from four organisations.

The ACW has invited two groups to develop detailed plans for an international jazz festival in 2010, but believes it to be "too risky" to stage one this year.

Brecon International Festival of Jazz Ltd ceased trading in December following a substantial loss over the 2008 event due to a combination of factors including bad weather, higher costs and lower sponsorship income.

Of the four organisations bidding to rescue the event, the ACW has asked the Hay Festival and a partnership between the Celtic Spirit group and international music events company ESIP to expand on their proposals.

ACW Chief Executive Nick Capaldi said: "We've narrowed it down to two exciting but very different proposals. Each has put forward its own distinctive ideas for running an international jazz festival, but it's now down to the detailed discussions."

Despite the ACW's earlier statement that it had £125,000 available to support a festival in 2009, Mr Capaldi confirmed that it was now aiming for 2010.

"No-one wants to see a gap year in 2009 ... but trying to rush through a major event in little over six months is, in our view, too big a hurdle to leap," he said.

"We need to get this right for the future and also learn lessons from the past."

The two organisations selected have been invited to hold further discussions with the ACW and to share their proposals more widely to build support for a relaunched Brecon Jazz Festival in 2010. A final decision is expected in April.

Other bids had been put forward by Theatr Brycheiniog and organisers of the Porthcawl Jazz Festival.

Brecon has hosted a jazz festival every year since the event's humble beginnings in 1984, despite a number of setbacks including the foot-and-mouth outbreak of 2001, the death of festival director Jed Williams in 2003, and recent licensing restrictions affecting live music in the streets.

Martin Weale, the Mayor of Brecon, told the BBC he would be disappointed not to see a festival in 2009.


"I don't think anyone had expected a postponement and the financial implications for the town and surrounding area are worrying - I am concerned the value of the brand of Brecon jazz could be lost by missing a year."


Meanwhile organisers of the Brecon Fringe Festival, which has operated parallel to but independently of the official jazz festival for a number of years, insist the event will still go ahead in 2009.

A statement on the Fringe website claims that "t
he Arts Council of Wales does not own Brecon Jazz Festival. Anyone could put on a jazz festival in Brecon provided they had the funds to do so."

See the Brecon Fringe website for more details.

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Here is the full unedited text of the ACW statement:

Arts Council of Wales looks forward to a new future for Brecon Jazz Festival

The Arts Council of Wales has announced today that it has selected two organisations to develop detailed proposals for an international jazz festival in Brecon in 2010. Four organisations were originally invited to submit expressions of interest. The two successful bidders are Hay Festival, and a partnership between the Celtic Spirit Group and international music events company ESIP.

Nick Capaldi, Chief Executive for the Arts Council of Wales said:

"We've narrowed it down to two exciting but very different proposals. Each has put forward its own distinctive ideas for running an international jazz festival, but it's now down to the detailed discussions. This is a prize that shouldn't be handed over easily. Brecon deserves a high quality jazz festival that can once again stand proudly as one of Wales’s signature cultural events."

The Arts Council considered carefully whether a successful Festival could be organised in time for 2009, but has reluctantly concluded that the very tight timescale is too risky. Commenting on the timing, Nick Capaldi said:

"This has been an agonisingly difficult decision, and no-one wants to see a gap year in 2009. We're acutely aware of the Festival's contribution to the local economy in Brecon, especially in the current economic climate. But trying to rush through a major event in little over six months is, in our view, too big a hurdle to leap. We need to get this right for the future and also learn lessons from the past."

The two organisations selected will now be invited to hold further discussions with the Arts Council. They will also be encouraged to share their proposals more widely to build support for a successful launch of a re‑invigorated Brecon Festival in 2010. A final decision will be taken by the Arts Council in April.

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See www.artswales.org.uk for more details or the BBC News website - feel free to click the Comments button below or email andy @ jazzinwales.co.uk to share your views.

Monday, February 02, 2009

Jazz Connection playlist 2 February 2009

Here's what I played on the Jazz Connection on Monday 2 February on Radio Cardiff:

King Curtis – Memphis Soul Stew (Live)
Yots K – Love For Sale
Big Air – Airlock
Imelda May – Johnny Got a Boom Boom
Imelda May Interview
Imelda May – Big Bad Handsome Man
Joshua Redman – Moonlight
Dizzy Gillespie – Mas Que Nada
Gareth Roberts – The Attack of the Killer Penguins
Soothsayers – Music
Young Holt Unlimited – Ain't There Something Money Can't Buy

The Jazz Connection goes out on Radio Cardiff every Monday night 8 till 9pm.


Tune in on 98.7 FM or watch and listen live online at www.radiocardiff.org

If you're in a jazz band from south Wales or visiting the area soon, send me your gig info and CDs or demos for use on the show.

Jazz at the Met, Abertillery

Jazz comes to Blaenau Gwent on Friday 13 February as the Met in Abertillery hosts its first Jazz in the Bar event.

Fraser Allibone on saxophone and Dave Price on piano as the Met Jazz Duo will play swing, bebop, post-bob, modal and modern jazz standards and ballads.

The Met Bar will open from 7pm with the live music taking place from 8.30pm until 10.30pm. Tickets cost £5 and pre booking is advisable.

Fraser and Dave will return on Friday 13 March and Friday 17 April - future gigs will depend on support for the first three and may involve other artists if they continue.

Call the Met on 01495 322510 or 01495 355800 or visit www.the-met.co.uk for further details.