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.