Brecon Fringe line-up unveiled

The line-up for this year's Brecon Fringe festival includes the Numbers Racket, Funhouse, Wonderbrass, The Amigos and Tredegar Town Band.

The 2010 event takes place from Thursday 5 to Sunday 8 August alongside the Brecon Jazz Festival.

Fringe venues include pubs, hotels, clubs, galleries, Brecon Beacons National Park Visitor Centre and the grounds of Brecon Cathedral with many events free of charge.

Karin Mear, who is involved with producing the fringe guide, said: "The festival has gone from strength to strength and this year promises to be better than ever with new venues and an exciting programme."

Read the full story on the BBC website or check the Brecon Fringe website

Don't miss my annual preview of Brecon Jazz and the Brecon Fringe going out on Monday 2 August on Radio Cardiff 98.7 FM and www.radiocardiff.org

Jazz Connection playlist 28 June 2010

Here's what I played on the Jazz Connection on Monday 28 June 2010 on Radio Cardiff 98.7 FM:

Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings
– Just Dropped In To See What Condition My Condition Was In
Gareth Roberts Quartet – Shaky Leg Syndrome
Duke Ellington – Chim Chim Cheree
Saravah Soul – Milk and Mangoes
National Big Band of Wales
– Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen
Brian Lynch/Eddie Palmieri Project – Free Hands
Richard Fairhurst's Triptych – Dense Fur
Hindi Zahra - Beautiful Tango
Justin Adams and Juldeh Camara – Ngamen (No Limit)
Kevin Figes Quartet – The Grind

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

Jazz Connection playlist 21 June 2010

Here's what I played on the Jazz Connection on Monday 21 June 2010 on Radio Cardiff 98.7 FM:

The Root Source – Fire Walker
Georgia Mancio – Question the Answer
Mosaic ft Ben Thomas – Dolphin Dance
Milk Biscuits - Milk
Dave Stapleton Quintet – Dry White
Christine Tobin and Liam Noble – Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow
Tommy Whittle – Crazy Rhythm
Quantic and his Combo Barbaro – New Morning

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

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

Jazz students set for Brecon festival gig

Aspiring musicians are being given a chance to perform at the Brecon Jazz Festival by taking part in a new summer school in Cardiff.

The festival is giving a slot on its main stage to students on the week long course at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama starting Monday 2 August.

The new project is led by Brecon jazz festival regular Paula Gardiner.

It gives students the chance to work alongside leading jazz artists with the added goal of a festival performance at Christ College on Sunday 8 August.

Read more on the RWCMD website or read the story by BBC News.

Jazz Connection playlist 14 June 2010

Here's what I played on the Jazz Connection on Monday 14 June 2010 on Radio Cardiff 98.7 FM:

Peter Herbolzheimer Rhythm Combination & Brass ft Dianne Reeves – Cherokee
Dave Jones Trio – Hey DC
Mike Markey and Nick Jones – Let Me Squeeze Your Lemons
The Jezebel Sextet – Mr Hot Pants
Kadda Cherif Hadda – Diri Kitabri (Do As You Wish)
Nnenna Freelon – You And The Night And The Music
Fraser Allibone Quartet – Have You Met Miss Jones
Ray Barretto – La Cuna
Buddy Greco – The Lady Is A Tramp
Jacky Terrasson – O Café, O Soleil

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

Hear the latest show anytime online at www.jazz-connection.co.uk

Barker and Shaw at the Movies in Llandeilo

Guy Barker and Ian Shaw join forces for a jazz celebration of the silver screen as part of this year's Llandeilo Fawr Festival in Carmarthenshire.

The trumpeter and the Welsh-born singer will be performing at the Cawdor Hotel on Thursday 15 July 2010.

The festival also includes a concert by the National Big Band of Wales in the courtyard at Newton House on Sunday 11 July.

Stuart Burrows, the Swingle Singers and Gwyn Hughes Jones are among the other attractions.

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

Balkan Gypsy Night - June 10

I'm doing a Balkan beats DJ set this Thursday 10 June at the Globe, Albany Road, Cardiff, in support of Georgian gypsy punk band Rogora Khart.

There's also support from rollickin' roots, country and bluegrass duo Ginge and Celloboi.

Doors open around 7.30pm and admission is £4.

See www.myspace.com/rogorakhart and www.myspace.com/gingeandcelloboi for more about the bands.

Check www.theglobecardiff.com for venue details.

Jazz Connection playlist 7 June 2010

Here's what I played on the Jazz Connection on Monday 7 June 2010 on Radio Cardiff 98.7 FM:

The Jiveoholics – Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens
Chris McGregor's Brotherhood of Breath – Andromeda
Beats & Pieces Big Band – Yafw (Part III)
The Q Orchestra – Boca Que Engana
Dave Jones Trio/Lee Goodall – Funky Thing
Wyn Lodwick and Friends – If I Had You
Miriam Makeba – Mas Que Nada
Grupo Fantasma - Sacatelo Bailanda
Keith Jarrett/Charlie Haden – Body and Soul
Bluesy Susie – Walking Blues (Session Version)
Gwigwi Mrwebi – Lilys Express

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

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