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, July 31, 2009

Jazz Connection Brecon playlist 2 Aug 2009

Here's the playlist for the first of my Brecon Jazz Festival preview shows which went out on Sunday 2 August on GTFM:

Keith Little Band – Jumpin' At The Woodside
Manu Dibango – Soul Makossa
Stan Tracey Orchestra – Too Good
Gareth Williams Power Trio – Seven Leaves
Quantic & his Combo Barbaro – New Morning
Alec Dankworth – Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez
Empirical – Things Are Getting Better
Courtney Pine – Creole Swing
Asaf Sirkis Trio – Alone
Protect the Beat – Snake in the Grass
Azhaar Saffar and Sirius B – High 'n' Dry
Anouar Brahem – Le Voyage de Sahar
The Amigos – Tu Djial
Erik Truffaz – Dubophone
Mike Markey and Nick Jones – Filthy Rich
Wonderbrass – Dunkin' with Rich T
Clark Tracey Sextet – Current Climate

Trudy Kerr & Michael Garrick – Don't Get Around Much Anymore
Peter King/Art Themen – Scrapple From The Apple
Abdullah Ibrahim – Whoza Mtwana
Dennis Rollins Badbone & Co – Love The One You're With

Due to pressure of work, this was my last show for GTFM - thanks to Terry, Jen and all the team who gave me the opportunity to present a Brecon festival preview show last year and continue monthly ever since. I hope you'll tune into Marie-Claire's Smooth Jazz show every Sunday at 8pm on 107.9 FM in south Wales or listen live online at www.gtfm.co.uk

But the Jazz Connection continues every Monday at 8pm on Radio Cardiff, and this week's show is another Brecon festival preview - tune in on 98.7 FM or watch and listen live online at www.radiocardiff.org

See www.breconjazz.org for full details of the festival taking place from Friday 7 to Sunday 9 August.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Soul session at Cafe Jazz - Weds 29 July

I'm hosting a funky soul night at Cafe Jazz, St Mary Street, Cardiff tomorrow night - Wednesday 29 July.

There'll be live music from Black on Black, a six piece band from south Wales playing modern soul with a dark edge.

Expect inspired covers of tunes from Amy Winehouse and Stevie Wonder to the White Stripes and Queens of the Stone Age.

I'll also be playing a funky, jazzy DJ set before and after the live music.

It runs from 9pm till late, admission £4.

See www.blackonblack.co.uk for more details.

Monday, July 27, 2009

Jazz Connection playlist 27 July 2009

Here's what I played on the Jazz Connection on Monday 27 July on Radio Cardiff:

The 3rd Degree - Mercy
Imelda May – Johnny Got a Boom Boom
The Baker Brothers – Fly Like An Eagle
Partisans – Lapdog
Jigsaw – Slacker's Hideaway
Dick Pearce - Eclipse
King Pleasure and the Biscuit Boys – Puerto Rico!
Led Bib – Yes, Again
Big Mac's Wholly Soul Band – Living in America
Jon Lucien – Listen Love
Lea DeLaria/Ian Shaw – Jumpin' With Symphony Sid
Quantic & his Combo Barbaro – Wandering Star

Next week I've got two - yes, two - Brecon Jazz Festival preview shows - Sunday 2 August, 1 till 3pm (note the change of time) on GTFM 107.9 in the south Wales valleys and next Monday 3 August at the usual time 8 till 9pm on Radio Cardiff 98.7.

I'll be playing tracks by headline artists like Abdullah Ibrahim, Courtney Pine and Manu Dibango plus many local heroes from the Welsh and UK jazz scenes who'll be playing Brecon this year.

Hear the shows live on www.gtfm.co.uk and www.radiocardiff.org

Blue plaques for unsung jazz venues

Jazz lovers are being asked to nominate unsung British live venues for a new heritage project, called the (Kind Of) Blue Plaque scheme.

Organisers of the Brecon Jazz Festival have set up nominations online and will award one blue plaque a year to a former or current venue.

The public is asked to suggest venues associated with legendary performers or having a pivotal role in British jazz.

The initiative marks the 50th anniversary of Miles Davis' celebrated Kind of Blue album.

The winner will be announced just before the start of this year's Brecon Jazz Festival on August 7 to 9.


See www.breconjazz.org for more details and read the full story on the BBC News website.

Which jazz venues in Wales will you be nominating? Click the Comments button below to share your views.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Dave Jones Trio at the Vortex reviewed

Pianist Dave Jones is delighted with the response to his trio gig at the Vortex Jazz Club in London on Monday 20 July.

With Ashley John Long on bass and Lloyd Haines on drums he presented tracks from his trio CD Impetus.

Reviewing the gig for the Vortex website, Chris Parker said: "If dynamic variation and subtle felicities of touch and texture are the primary qualities conjured up by 'piano trio' ... the Dave Jones Trio ... fit that definition.

Read the full review at
www.vortexjazz.co.uk

Hear Dave Jones talk about the album on my Jazz Connection radio player.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Norwegian Church seeks jazz acts

The Norwegian Church Arts Centre in Cardiff Bay is looking to expand its musical activities, and in particular wants to hear from jazz artists and bands who may be interested in performing, rehearsing or holding workshops there.

Many of you will already know this distinctive venue which sits on the waterfront - it has a capacity of ninety in seated rows, or around fifty in a less formal cabaret-style setting around tables.

The venue, owned by Cardiff council, will provide a full marketing, promotion and box office service for any live concerts.

Staff are also interested in offering the venue to musicians who want to hold workshops or need some rehearsal space.

If you're interested, please contact Tony Burnell on 029 2045 4899 or 07814 871892 or email norwegianchurch @ cardiff.gov.uk

See www.norwegianchurchcardiff.com for more details.

Pembrokeshire Jazz'n'Blues - August 27-31

Michael Janisch, Asaf Sirkis, Jay Tamkin and the Numbers Racket are among the attractions of the annual Pembrokeshire Jazz'n'Blues Festival.

It'll take place at various venues around Fishguard from Thursday 27 to Monday 31 August.

There'll also be a series of vocal, drumming and instrumental workshops.

For details see www.aberjazz.com

Monday, July 20, 2009

Jazz Connection playlist 20 July 2009

Here's what I played on the Jazz Connection on Monday 20 July on Radio Cardiff:

Nils Landgren – Knowing Me Knowing You
Art Blakey – The Hub
Bluesy Susie – Wade In The Water
Kyle Eastwood – Metropolitain
Snake Davis – Harlem Stroll
Troyka – Cajoch
Angelika Niescier – Oud Suite Part 1
Willie Nelson – Angel Eyes
John Stetch Trio – Star Trek
Burden of Paradise – What Our Love Needs
5 Go Swing – Troublant Bolero

Tune in every Monday night from 8 till 9pm on 98.7 FM or watch and listen live online at www.radiocardiff.org

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Jazz in the Lane - Cardiff - July 25

A one-day jazz festival is being staged in Cardiff's Cafe Quarter in the city centre on Saturday 25 July.

5 Go Swing, the Paul Jones Trio, Sax for Fun, Cymbient and the Villagio Trio are among the acts performing at this free event in Mill Lane from 1pm till late.

Top Shelf Jazz will be playing a special preview gig on the stage being set up outside Juboraj and Gios restaurants at 1pm on Saturday 18 July.

See
thecardiffcafequarter.com for more details.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Jazz Connection playlist 13 July 2009

Here's what I played on the Jazz Connection on Radio Cardiff on 13 July 2009:

Cesar's Salad - Jamilah
The Sound Stylistics ft Eddie Roberts – Knucklehead
Kurt Elling ft Ernie Watts – Autumn Serenade
The South Trio – Son of Sparky
Keith Little Band – Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby
The Rippingtons – Paris Groove
The Amigos – Amor Verdadero
Shirley Horn – Summer (Estate)
Whiskey River – Iko Iko
Sevda – Bana Bana, Gel (Come, Come to Me)
Stochelo Rosenberg – I Wish
Alex Wilson – Nature Boy
Wonderbrass – Water From An Ancient Well

Tune in every Monday night from 8 till 9pm on 98.7 FM or watch and listen live online at www.radiocardiff.org

Thursday, July 09, 2009

Jazz Connection playlist 9 July 2009

Here's what I played on the monthly edition of the Jazz Connection for south Wales valleys station GTFM 107.9 on Thursday 9 July:

Dave Jones Trio – The Leopard
Rachel Brand – On The Red Clay
Bollywood Brass Band – Tu Cheez Badi Hai Mast Mast
Get The Blessing – Music Style Product
Harry Strutters Hot Rhythm Orchestra ft Tony Jacobs
– Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone
Kyle Eastwood – Metropolitain
Eduardo Niebla – Song for the Rain
Root Doctors – You Can Have My Husband
The Amigos – Amor Verdadero
Bluesy Susie – Wade In The Water
The Sound Stylistics ft Eddie Roberts – Knucklehead
Imelda May – Johnny Got a Boom Boom
Cesar's Salad - Jamilah
Kurt Elling ft Ernie Watts – Autumn Serenade
Kenny Ball – Midnight in Moscow
The South Trio – Son of Sparky
Keith Little Band – Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby
Joachim Kuhn – Transmitting
King Pleasure and the Biscuit Boys – Puerto Rico
Stochelo Rosenberg – I Wish
Martin Speake – Donna Lee
Whiskey River – Iko Iko
Wonderbrass – Water From An Ancient Well

Don't forget the Jazz Connection also goes out every Monday night at 8pm on Radio Cardiff - tune in on 98.7 FM or watch and listen live online at www.radiocardiff.org

Monday, July 06, 2009

Jazz Connection playlist 6 July 2009

Here's what I played on the Jazz Connection on Monday 6 July on Radio Cardiff 98.7:

Dave Jones Trio – The Leopard
Rachel Brand – On The Red Clay
Bollywood Brass Band – Tu Cheez Badi Hai Mast Mast
Harry Strutters Hot Rhythm Orchestra ft Tony Jacobs
– Please Don’t Talk About Me When I'm Gone

Dub Colossus – Negus Dub
Eduardo Niebla – Song for the Rain
Horace Silver – Song for My Father
Rebirth Brass Band – Liberian Girl
Root Doctors – You Can Have My Husband
Charles Mingus – Better Get It In Your Soul

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

The monthly edition of the show for south Wales valleys station GTFM goes out this Thursday 9 July from 7 till 9pm - tune in on 107.9 FM or listen live online at www.gtfm.co.uk

Wednesday, July 01, 2009

Brecon Jazz line-up unveiled

Stan Tracey, John Etheridge, Erik Truffaz, Dennis Rollins and Digby Fairweather are among the names added to the bill for the 2009 Brecon Jazz Festival.

There'll be around 50 concerts offering a wide range of styles and stars from Friday 7 to Sunday 9 August.

The line-up - including headliners Abdullah Ibrahim, Manu Dibango and Courtney Pine - should dispel concerns that there wouldn't be a festival worthy of the name taking place in Brecon this year.

The festival will also feature some of the most popular bands on the Welsh jazz scene including the Amigos, Wonderbrass, and a new project by the Welsh Jazz Composers Orchestra.

Concerts will be staged in the Market Hall, Captain's Walk, Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon Cathedral and the Castle Hotel, along with fireworks on Friday and a carnival parade on Saturday.

Ticket prices range from £5 to £15, with many events free of charge.

See www.breconjazz.org for full details.