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

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Porthcawl Jazz Festival - April 15 to 18

Acker Bilk, Clare Teal and Michael Janisch head the line-up for this year's Porthcawl Jazz Festival from Thursday 15 to Sunday 18 April.

The event also features a string of Welsh acts, including 5 Go Swing, the Liberty Street Jazz Band, Dave Jones Trio, Dave Cottle Trio, Graham Watkins Quartet and the Numbers Racket.

Most of the main events take place at the Grand Pavilion, with other gigs at various hotels in the town.

See www.porthcawl-jazz-festival.com for full details.

Monday, March 29, 2010

Jazz Connection playlist 29 March 2010

Here's what I played on the Jazz Connection on Monday 29 March on Radio Cardiff 98.7:

Sunlightsquare Latin Combo – I Believe In Miracles
Cannonball Adderley Sextet – Fiddler On The Roof
Somi ft Hugh Masekela – Enganjyani
Keith Little Band – Caldonia
Manu Katche – Shine and Blue
Dan Berglund's Tonbrucket – Wolverine Hoods
The Jiveoholics - Jiveoholic Boogie

Magic Hat Ensemble – The Song Is You
Youngblood Brass Band – Brooklyn
Imperfect Tenth – Birdland

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 via our new improved webcam at
radiocardiff.org.uk

Next week - on Easter Monday - there'll be another chance to hear my gypsy jazz and Balkan beats special.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Jazz Goes To The Movies in Llanelli

Jazz is taking centre stage at Theatr Elli in Llanelli on Saturday 24 April when Digby Fairweather presents Jazz Goes To The Movies.

The show features the trumpeter's poll-winning Half Dozen and singer Val Wiseman, star of her own Billie Holiday tribute Lady Sings the Blues.

The band will present a fast-moving review of great songs from great movies - including classics from the American Musicals songbook, Disney themes, jazz to spare and romantic ballads.

Linked with memories of famous moments from the movies and stories of their stars, the show promises - as Louis B Meyer once said - more musical memories than all of the stars in heaven.

Tickets priced £15-£17 are available from the Theatr Elli box office on 0845 226 3510.

See Digby Fairweather's website for more about the show.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Jazz Connection playlist 22 March 2010

Here's what I played on the Jazz Connection on Monday 22 March 2010 on Radio Cardiff 98.7:

Soil & "Pimp" Sessions – Papa's Got a Brand New Pigbag
Dave Jones Trio – The Leopard
Laura Collins - On The Street Where You Live
Stephane Kerecki Trio ft Tony Malaby – Macadam
Dan James – Blues for June
Geoff Gascoyne – Forbidden Colours
Top Shelf Jazz – Istanbul
Wynton Marsalis/Richard Galliano
– What a Little Moonlight Can Do

Joe Torres - La Bruya Negre
Ray Charles – I Got a Woman (Live at Newport 1958)
Sierra Maestra – Sangre Negra

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.uk

You can also hear the latest show anytime at www.jazz-connection.co.uk

Monday, March 15, 2010

Jazz Connection playlist 15 March 2010

Here's what I played on the Jazz Connection on Monday 15 March 2010 on Radio Cardiff 98.7:

Laurence Cottle Big Band – I Got Ridov 'Em
The Swiss – Jazz Pills
Daryl Sherman – I'm Shadowing You
Secret Quartet ft Martin Speake – Bloor Street
Sierra Maestra – Pal' Monte
Lee Jones – One Little Blue Note
Acoustic Ladyland – Red Sky
Sarah Gillespie – Malicious Simone
Karen Street – Bye Bye Blackbird
Billy Jenkins – I Am a Man from Lewisham
Chris Barber Band – C Jam Blues

If you missed the show you can hear it right now at www.jazz-connection.co.uk

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 radiocardiff.org.uk

Friday, March 12, 2010

Edition Records - free sampler

Cardiff-based Edition Records is presenting a free album sampler as a covermount disc with the April edition of Jazzwise magazine.

Formed in 2008 by pianist and composer Dave Stapleton and photographer Tim Dickeson, the label aims to promote contemporary jazz from new and established artists.

The twelve track sampler includes tracks by the Dave Stapleton Quintet, Paula Gardiner, Curios, Mark Lockheart's In Deep and the Geoff Eales Trio.

See www.editionrecords.com for more about the label's output.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Torfaen Jazz Mini-fest - April 9 and 10

The Torfaen Jazz Society is hosting a mini festival near Pontypool on Friday 9 and Saturday 10 April.

Canadian trumpeter Jay Phelps is one of the main attractions, along with Jamie Brownfield, Mike Britton, John Paul Gard, Ben Waghorn and many more.

Gigs take place at the society's usual Friday night venue, the Sebastopol Social Club, and the nearby Open Hearth just a short walk away.

Admission is by wristband costing £5 for Friday night and £10 for Saturday available from the two venues or by phoning 07739 155585.

See www.torfaenjazz.org.uk for full details.

Monday, March 08, 2010

Jazz Connection playlist 8 March 2010

Here's what I played on the Jazz Connection on Monday 8 March 2010 on Radio Cardiff 98.7:

Paolo Nutini & the Big Ghana Band – Pencil Full of Lead
Mulatu Astatke – Boogaloo
Dave Stapleton Quintet – Wig Wag
Marlene VerPlanck – I've Got You Under My Skin
Quantic Soul Orchestra – Panama City
Nicolas Meier Acoustic Trio – Autumn Leaves
Paula Gardiner Trio – Beneath Rioja Skies
Gareth Roberts Quintet – Going Nowhere Fast
The Scott McNicholas Experience – That Old Devil Called Love
5 Go Swing – I'll See You In My Dreams
John Paul Gard – Pee Wee's Blues

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

You can also hear the latest show anytime online at www.jazzconnection.co.uk

Thursday, March 04, 2010

Gaudy Orde - ukulele skiffle band



Ukulele star Jeff Japers kindly invited me to join him on percussion at the recent Rele Dife benefit gig for Haiti which took place at A Shot in the Dark in Cardiff on Friday 19 February.

Together with Alex Coxhead on bass and bouzouki, we are known as Gaudy Orde and are available for the proverbial weddings, parties, anything etc in the coming months.

Here are a few more video clips from the Rele Dife event:

Tuesday, March 02, 2010

Search for unsigned Welsh jazz talent

Did anyone have any luck entering the Future Inns jazz talent competition?

The weblink to the information disappeared about two weeks before Sunday's closing date.

I've had no reply to my emails asking what's going on or any message to say the competition has been cancelled.

Monday, March 01, 2010

Jazz Connection playlist 1 March 2010

Here's what I played on the Jazz Connection on Monday 1 March 2010 on Radio Cardiff 98.7:

Gwyn Evans and Doctor Jazz – Sospan Fach
Lee Jones – Retrospective
Li Harding – If We Did
Sun Ra – Where Pathways Meet
Healer Selecta – Cruisin' On The Highway
Portico Quartet – Isla
Koop – Forces… Darling
Asaf Sirkis Trio – Dream
Christian Scott – Angola, LA and the 13th Amendment
Coltrane Dedication Band – Mr PC

Hear the show right now at www.jazz-connection.co.uk

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