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.