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

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Wonderbrass win grant for new music


Cardiff's funky big jazz band Wonderbrass have been awarded £10,000 by the BBC Performing Arts Fund to commission new pieces under the fund's Community Music Scheme. 


Claude Deppa, Paula Gardiner and Wonderbrass leader Rob Smith will be the composers working with the band on new tunes over the coming months.

The scheme, which launched in May, aimed at encouraging grassroots music groups to take on more challenging projects through commissions and working collaboratively with other local organisations as well as professional artists.

Wonderbrass are still recovering from a busy summer touring their Cultural Olympic commission Skip, Dash, Flow written by Jason Yarde.

See www.bbc.co.uk/performingartsfund for more about the scheme and www.wonderbrass.org.uk for more about the band. 

Friday, October 19, 2012

New home for jazz in Abergavenny


The Swan near Abergavenny bus station is the new home of Black Mountain Jazz sessions.

The first jazz gig will be the Ray Butcher Trio at 8pm on Tuesday 20 November 2012, although Black Mountain Jazz will also be promoting Open Mic nights on the first Tuesday of every month starting on 6 November covering all musical styles.

In the new year they'll be launching Sunday Jazz Buffet lunches from 6 January 2013, starting at 12.30pm with food from 1pm.  

For further details contact Mike Skilton on 01873 832043 or the Swan on 01873 852829.



Monday, October 01, 2012

Django a la Creole live dates in Wales


Clarinetist Evan Christopher brings his Django a la Creole project to Wales for two dates of a four date tour during which he'll record a new live album.

They'll play Theatr Mwldan in Cardigan on Wednesday 24 October 2012 and the Gwyn Hall in Neath on Thursday 25 October.

New Orleans-based Evan was hailed by Atlantic Records supremo Ahmet Ertegun as one of the greatest jazz clarinetists of all time.

See Le Jazzetal website for more info.