Jazz stars play to save the Globe

The Root Doctors, the Amigos and Wonderbrass are among the bands who have answered the call to perform fundraising gigs to save the Globe in Cardiff from closure.

The 350-capacity venue in Roath faces a bill of £25,000 for soundproofing after Cardiff council revoked its live music licence in the wake of local residents' complaints about noise.

The Amigos will be supporting Andy Fairweather Low on Sunday 31 January while the Root Doctors are the headline act on Thursday 4 February.

Wonderbrass will appear as part of a Meltdown Mardi Gras event on Tuesday 16 February.

See www.theglobecardiff.com for details or read the story on the BBC News website.

Jazz Connection playlist 25 January 2010

Here's what I played on the Jazz Connection on Monday 25 January on Radio Cardiff:

Huw Warren Trio – Jegue
Candice Monique and the Optics – Hypothetical
Trichotomy – Island of the Sun
Tommy T – Tribute to a King
Pat Metheny – Spirit of the Air
Soul Jazz Orchestra – Lotus Flower
Milt Jackson – Sunflower
Gabriel Espinosa ft Alison Wedding – Remain
Jim Barber Trio – The Very Thought of You
Liberty Street Jazz Band – Ole Miss Rag

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

Rhodri Morgan shares his music

There'll be a touch of jazz on BBC Radio Wales this Sunday as Wales's former First Minister Rhodri Morgan joins Frank Hennessy as co-presenter for this week's edition of the music and chat show I'll Show You Mine.

Rhodri is well known for his love of jazz and is a familiar face at the annual Brecon Jazz Festival.

He's chosen a selection of music which sparked memories, such as George Lewis's Just A Closer Walk which reminded him of time spent at university in America when some of the jazz greats were still around.

And he couldn't resist including a tune with a political slant - Bing Crosby's rendition of Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? which he says is "the best song ever about a recession".

I'll Show You Mine with Frank Hennessy and Rhodri Morgan is on BBC Radio Wales this Sunday 24 January at 6pm - it'll also be available for seven days on the BBC iPlayer.

More details on the BBC website

Jazz Connection playlist 18 January 2010

Here's what I played on the Jazz Connection on Monday 18 January on Radio Cardiff 98.7:

The Bamboos ft Lyrics Born – Turn It Up
Polar Bear – Happy For You
Louise Sofield – A Rainy Night in Soho
James Chadwick Trio – What If
Lee Jones - One Little Blue Note
Geoff Eales Trio – Sudden Departure
Fraser Allibone Quartet – Have You Met Miss Jones?
Charles Aznavour & The Clayton Hamilton Jazz Orchestra
– Le jazz est revenu
Coltrane Dedication Band – Mr PC
Carla Bley – Sing Me Softly Of The Blues
Norah Jones - Don't Know Why

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

Tonight's show was dedicated to my former BBC and Radio Cardiff colleague Gary Price, who died on Sunday.

Gary Price RIP

I'm sorry to hear that Gary Price, a former colleague of mine at BBC Wales and Radio Cardiff, has died at the age of 64 following a period of illness.

He was one of my favourite radio presenters who communicated his great knowledge and love of soul, jazz, blues and more with style and panache.

Gary had been active in radio in Cardiff for more than thirty years - I met him at BBC Radio Wales where he was the producer for the original incarnation of my Jazz Connection series.

He later joined community station Radio Cardiff after its launch in autumn 2007 where his experience and expertise proved to be great assets.

Gary will be sadly missed - feel free to add your own words of tribute to this page.

Thanks to Simon Price for the photo.

See also a tribute page on the BBC website.

Jazz Connection playlist 11 January 2010

Here's what I played on the Jazz Connection on Monday 11 January 2010 on Radio Cardiff 98.7 FM:

Nicola Conte – The Dharma Bums
Nostalgia 77 Octet – Stars
Chris Flegg/John Rees-Jones – Night and Day
The Swiss – Mosey on Down
Hendrik Meurkens – Spaceburger
Dick Pearce – Eclipse
Skeletons – Skeletons
Tord Gustavsen Ensemble – Lay Your Sleeping Head, My Love
Jimmy Cobb Quartet – With You I'm Born Again
Siren Sisters – Forties Medley
New Mastersounds – Make Me Proud!

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

Opa! Balkan Gypsy night with the Amigos

Fingers crossed, the second of my Opa! Balkan Gypsy nights will take place this coming Saturday 9 January at the Cardiff Arts Institute featuring my special guests the Amigos.

Shake off those post-Christmas blues with an evening of exhilarating dance music from around the world from one of the UK's leading gypsy jazz bands.

The Amigos' repertoire stretches far and wide, incorporating Russian, Balkan, Tex-Mex, flamenco and more. This is also a rare chance to see them play in Cardiff.

Doors open at 8pm when I'll be getting the party started with some uplifting Balkan beats, gypsy grooves and klezmer cuts - the band are due on stage around 10pm. Admission is £3 or £2 concessions.

The weather forecast for Cardiff this weekend is looking better - it'll still be cold but hopefully no more snow.

The Cardiff Arts Institute can be found in Park Place, right opposite the National Museum of Wales - there's plenty of on-street parking available.

For a taste of what to expect, check out this week's Jazz Connection gypsy jazz special right now at www.jazz-connection.co.uk

Weather hits jazz gigs in Wales

The wintry weather is taking its toll on jazz gigs in Wales.

Tonight's appearance at Cafe Jazz in Cardiff by Brigida Melly and her band has been called off.

In Monmouth, Neill at the Queens Head says the Brazilian trio Chuva can't make it for tonight's gig, but "being the true troopers we are we will still put on music for those intrepid people who are willing to brave the elements."

He promises "a really laid back evening. Bass, Sax and Tanpura playing laid back ethereal tunes in the ECM genre - a relaxing mix of Gabarek, Seglem and Brahem - all mellow, European contemporary stuff."

Meanwhile in Pembrokeshire, tomorrow's gig by Trio La Luna at Cuffern Manor is being postponed to a later date.

To avoid disappointment, please check with venues before travelling to any gigs while the weather remains bad.

Jazz Connection playlist 4 January 2010

Here's what I played on the Jazz Connection on Monday 4 January 2010 on Radio Cardiff - a gypsy jazz/Balkan beats special:

Django Reinhardt - Minor Swing
Mahala Rai Banda - Mahalageasca
Max Pashm - Imnul (Kish Mayn Tokhes)
Amsterdam Klezmer Band - Sadagora Hot Dub (Shantel mix)
Malarchy - Varshaver/Dark Eyes/King Nosmo
Moreno - David
Saban Bajramovic & Mostar Sevdah Reunion - Djeli Mara
Slavic Soul Party - Opa Cupa
The Amigos - Caravan
Rogora Khart - Siluria
Merlin Shepherd - Coins of Silver
Andreas Blasig Quintet - Dance With Me
5 Go Swing - I'll See You In My Dreams

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