Jazz workshop in Langstone

Bev Gough is running a jazz workshop for musicians over 50 years of age at Langstone Village Hall near Newport this Saturday 2 May from 2 till 4pm.

The event is being held in association with Gwanwyn - a project between the Arts Council of Wales and Age Concern Cymru, which encourages the older generation to celebrate their creativity.

Later on at the same venue there's an evening performance by the Kitty Bevan Quintet, featuring Jim Barber on keys, Greg Evans on drums, Graham Tuck on bass, Mike Frost on guitar and Bev on saxophone and vocals.

The workshop band will be invited to join in for a part of the event. Musicians must have their own instruments, and have a basic understanding of reading music.

Contact Bev Gough on 07806 625717 or email saxforfun @ googlemail.com for further details.

Butetown celebrates jazz heritage

Jazz musicians will be joining forces to recreate the spirit of Tiger Bay's heyday in Cardiff this Sunday 3 May.

Rare recordings by jazz guitarist Vic Parker will be unveiled at Butetown Bay Jazz in the Wales Millennium Centre.

The sessions at the long-gone Quebec pub were secretly recorded by a Dutch sea captain in January 1976 and will be handed to local historians.

The event also includes a host of local performers, workshops and exhibitions as part of a full day of celebrations.

Featured artists include singer Li Harding, the Byron Jones Big Band, and a specially formed jazz choir made up of Butetown children.

Read the full story on the BBC South East Wales website including my interviews with Humie Webbe and Chris Hodgkins, plus an archive clip of Vic Parker.

A Night in the Balkans - April 29

Fans of Eastern European music should check out my next event - A Night in the Balkans - at Cafe Jazz, Cardiff, tonight - Wednesday 29 April.

Headliners will be Troyka, a trio from Bristol promising a fast fusion of Balkan beats and gypsy swing on harmonica, clarinet, guitar and percussion.

There'll also be gypsy dancing by Siluria, Jeff Japers on ukulele, and my own selection of upbeat Balkan, klezmer and gypsy tunes.

The fun starts at 9pm and admission is £4.

See www.myspace.com/bristoltroyka for a taste of what to expect.

Jazz Connection playlist 27 April 2009

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

James Taylor Quartet – Blacksmith
Li Harding/Root Doctors – You Can Have My Husband
Interview with Humie Webbe about Butetown Bay Jazz
Paula Gardiner Trio – No Coincidence
Ted Sirota’s Rebel Souls – Killa Dilla
The Numbers Racket – Route 66
Victor Parker and Chris Hodgkins - Undecided
(recorded live at the Quebec, Cardiff, January 1976)
Coltrane Dedication Band – Mr PC
Lara James/Jeremy Young - Glass
NJYO – More Mumbles
Chris Hodgkins Trio - Full Count

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

Tune in on 98.7 FM or watch and listen live online at 8pm via www.radiocardiff.org

Butetown Bay Jazz - May 3

Many of the leading jazz musicians from south Wales will be joining forces to celebrate the jazz heritage of Cardiff's docklands in Butetown Bay Jazz on Sunday 3 May.

The all-day event at the Wales Millennium Centre aims to recreate the vibrant spirit of the original Tiger Bay.

It'll include performances by Li Harding, Patti Flynn, Humie Webbe, the Byron Jones Big Band, Paula Gardiner, Lyndon Jones and many more.

The younger generation will be represented by the Butetown Primary Schools Jazz Choir, jazz harpist Benjamin J Creighton Griffiths and the Juke Box hip hop dance crew.

A photo exhibition will be presented by the Butetown History and Arts Centre and there'll be a preview of some rare recordings by guitarist Victor Parker at the old Quebec pub.

There'll also be jazz guitar workshops with Ciyo Brown and a series of talks about the Bay's local jazz artists.

Butetown Bay Jazz runs from 11am to 10pm and admission is free of charge - for full details call the Wales Millennium Centre on 08700 40 2000.

Humie Webbe will be my guest on next week's edition of the Jazz Connection on Radio Cardiff, Monday 27 April at 8pm, when we'll be looking ahead to the event.

Don't forget Humie's own Jazz Train show on Radio Cardiff every Sunday at 10am - tune in on 98.7 FM or watch and listen live online at www.radiocardiff.org

Jazz Connection playlist 20 April 2009

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

Norman Connors ft Freddie Hubbard – Samba For Maria
Diana Krall – Walk On By
Dave Jones Trio – The Leopard
Heavy Quartet – Petite Fleur
Andy Sheppard – La Tristesse Du Roi
St Germain – Rose Rouge
Liam Noble Trio – Take Five
Dave Brubeck – Take Five
Red Eyed Fly – The Stutter

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

Don't forget my Middle Eastern and bellydance show A Night in Tunisia every Wednesday night at 11pm.

Thanks to everyone who's been sending me CDs and gig info for use on the air - all greatly appreciated.

Jazz in the Park to go ahead

Pontypool will host its annual Jazz in the Park festival again this year, despite rumours that last year's flooding would bring the event to a permanent end.

The 2008 event was called off at the last minute following torrential rain which caused the Afon Llwyd to burst its banks and leave the marquees under four inches of water.

But the festival, which began in 2000, is scheduled once again for the first weekend of September (Friday 4 to Sunday 6).

Organisers plan to stage all events indoors at the town's Active Living Centre and other venues rather than in temporary marquees - partly due to budget constraints but also as a precaution in case of a repeat of last year's washout.

Contact Gary or Clive at Pontypool Jazz for further details.

Jazz Connection playlist 13 April 2009

Here's the playlist for tonight's Jazz Connection on Radio Cardiff 98.7 FM at 8pm - another chance to hear a special edition 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 98.7 FM or listen live online at www.radiocardiff.org

I'm back with a live show next Monday 8 till 9pm featuring tracks from local and visiting bands playing in south Wales plus the pick of the latest CD releases, including an awesome new album by Andy Sheppard.

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

Jazz at Acapela

Cardiff-based Edition Records is to hold a series of contemporary jazz concerts at Catrin Finch's Acapela recording studio in Pentyrch.

Acapela is a state of the art recording studio and performance space built around a converted chapel in the centre of the village on the north-western outskirts of Cardiff.

The opening series of concerts feature the following artists:

Sunday 19 April - Paula Gardiner Trio
Sunday 24 May - Dave Stapleton Quintet
Sunday 28 June - Geoff Eales Trio

All concerts will start at 7.30pm and doors will open at 7pm. Acapela has a licensed bar and has ample parking.

Tickets priced £6 with £5 for concessions can be ordered on the Jazz at Acapela hotline 029 2065 4961.

For directions and further information see www.editionrecords.com/jazzatacapela

Jazz Connection playlist 6 April 2009

Here's what I played on the Jazz Connection on Radio Cardiff on Monday 6 April 2009:

Pigbag – Papa's Got a Brand New Pigbag
Alan Barnes – Senor Blues
Azhaar Saffar Quartet – Black Cow
The Amigos – Capitaine Gumbo
Lee Jones – One Little Blue Note
Ray Thompson/Jim Barber – The More I See You
Keith Little Band – Caldonia
Michael Garrick Septet – Ursula
Julian Jackson – Autumn Leaves
Mike Markey and Nick Jones – Filthy Rich
Lea DeLaria/Ian Shaw – Jumpin' With Symphony Sid

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

Thanks to everyone who's been sending CDs and gig info for use on the air.