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

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Wonderbrass Olympic music on BBC Radio 3


Cardiff-based jazz band Wonderbrass can be heard on BBC Radio 3's Hear and Now programme on Saturday 19 May 2012.

It's the first transmission of Skip, Dash, Flow - composed by Jason Yarde as one of twenty pieces of new music commissioned to mark the London Olympics.

The programme, broadcast at 10.30pm, will also feature some of the other pieces written for the 20x12 project.

All twenty pieces will be performed at the Southbank in London from 13 to 15 July 2012 in the run up to the Games.
 
See the BBC Radio 3 website for more about the programme.

Monday, May 14, 2012

Summer jazz at Powis Castle


A series of open air jazz concerts are to take place in the courtyard of Powis Castle, Welshpool, on Sunday afternoons during the summer.

The concerts, organised by the team behind Jazz in the Bar in Brecon, take place from 2 till 4pm with entry free of charge.

Sunday 27 May - Sarah Smith Gypsy Swing Trio

Sunday 24 June - Andrew Fawcett and Dave Price Trio

Sunday 29 July - Gardenia Swing with Ruth Bowen 

Sunday 26 August - Dick Hamer Trio

Sunday 30 September - Swing Street and Paul Munnery

The full address is Powis Castle & Garden, Welshpool, Mid Wales SY21 8RF.

For more details call 01952 551929 or see www.nationaltrust.org.uk/powis

Tuesday, May 08, 2012

Friends of Brecon Jazz plea to festival promoters


The Friends of Brecon Jazz have welcomed the naming of Cardiff-based event management company Orchard as the preferred bidder to run the 2012 Brecon Jazz Festival from 10 to 12 August.

In a letter to members, chairman Mike Talbot says that through his membership of the Festival Stakeholder Group he will urge Orchard to create a firmly jazz-based programme using a range of venues.

He says he'll also ask them to reinstate the Stroller programme, run workshops, talks and family events, and to maintain a permanent presence in Brecon.

See www.friendsofbreconjazz.com for more details.

Saturday, May 05, 2012

Butetown Bay Jazz Festival - Sunday 6 May 2012


The musical heritage of Cardiff's docklands is celebrated in the annual Butetown Bay Jazz Festival taking place at the Wales Millennium Centre on Sunday 6 May 2012.

Attractions include Geoff Eales, Tomorrow's Warriors, the Gareth Roberts Quintet, and the Floor Technicians jazz dancers.

Admission is free of charge.

See www.butetownbayjazz.co.uk for full details. 


Wednesday, May 02, 2012

Jazz funeral in Cwmbran for Norman Thatcher


A 30-piece New Orleans style parade band has been put together to play at the funeral of Newport-based jazz trumpeter Norman Thatcher today (Wednesday 2 May 2012).

Originally from Corsham in Wiltshire, Norman played regularly with his bands in Cardiff, Newport, Bristol and beyond.

He died in April aged 69.

The band will perform at the funeral at Gwent Crematorium in Cwmbran from 11am. 

Read more about him at www.normanthatcherjazz.com

Tuesday, May 01, 2012

New promoter for Brecon Jazz named


Cardiff-based event promoters Orchard have been named as the preferred operator for this year's Brecon Jazz festival in August.

The company won the tender after the Arts Council of Wales and Powys County Council invited bidders to take over from the Hay Festival organisation, which did not want to seek a renewal of its three-year agreement.

Orchard director Pablo Janczur said: "Brecon Jazz is a heritage brand with a worldwide reputation. 

"We are fans as well as music promoters and event managers, and so this a real thrill to have the opportunity to be part of what we see as an exciting future for one of Wales' premier events. 

"We're looking forward to sharing our ideas with the people of Brecon and the jazz world in the near future."

David Alston, arts director for the ACW, said: "Orchard is a Wales based event company who conveyed to us both their capacity and enthusiasm to run the event. 

"We were impressed by the dynamism of their ideas, their headline ambitions and their respect for Brecon Jazz's longstanding reputation."

Paul Griffiths, speaking for Powys County Council, added: "We are acutely aware of the distinctive contribution made by Brecon Jazz to cultural life in Powys over many years. 

"We want to try and ensure that this continues. Brecon Jazz is not just an important event for Brecon town and Powys, it's important for Wales too. 

"We're delighted to be working in partnership with the Arts Council of Wales to ensure summer 2012 sees a new chapter in Brecon's history."

Orchard, which has staged events including the Ryder Cup Welcome to Wales concert and Ponty's Big Weekend, will host a local launch of their plans in Brecon in the coming weeks. 

See www.thinkorchard.com for more about the company and the ACW website for the full announcement.