Jazz in Wales

Brecon Jazz preview on the radio

2008-07-18T10:21:00.005+01:00

I'm delighted to confirm that I'll be presenting a Brecon Jazz festival preview show on the south Wales community radio station GTFM from 8 till 9pm on Sunday 3 August.

I'll be playing tracks from many of the top names, rising stars and local heroes performing at the event which takes place the following weekend, August 7 to 10.

GTFM can be heard on 107.9 FM across the south Wales valleys, reaching as far as Cardiff, and live online at www.gtfm.co.uk

I'd like to thank Terry Mann and the team at GTFM for giving me this opportunity at short notice as my regular station Radio Cardiff is currently off the air.

See www.breconjazz.co.uk for details of the festival.

Radio Cardiff goes off air

2008-07-16T11:21:00.012+01:00

Community station Radio Cardiff - home of the Jazz Connection - has gone off air due to funding issues.

The multicultural station, which launched in October 2007, is awaiting the result of an application for Communities First funding related to its training activities.

The application is still being considered by Cardiff County Council and the Welsh Assembly Government - pending their decision, funds have run out and the station went off air yesterday.

The one hundred beneficiaries and volunteers are sad that the station has gone off air but it's hoped the hiatus will only be temporary.

For more details read the South Wales Echo article.

As for my show, I'm still hoping to broadcast a Brecon Jazz Festival preview in some shape or form - more news soon.

Jed and Jazz on Radio Wales

2008-07-15T15:48:00.004+01:00

BBC Radio Wales will mark this year's Brecon Jazz Festival with a tribute programme to one of its founders, the late Jed Williams.

Jed and Jazz features performances from stars including Wayne Krantz, John Etheridge and Tina May, recorded at last year's Jazz 4 Jed tribute concerts in Cardiff.

Jed, who also founded the Jazz UK magazine and the Welsh Jazz Society as well as programming Brecon Jazz, died suddenly in November 2003 at the age of 51.

The programme goes out at 6.30pm on Friday 8 August but will be available to hear online any time over the following seven days at www.bbc.co.uk/radiowales via the Listen Again links.

Click here to read my tribute to Jed published shortly after his death.

Robert Taylor RIP

2008-07-11T09:38:00.002+01:00

Cardiff saxophonist Robert Taylor has died after a long illness.

He was well known around the city for gigs with the band Time Out back in the eighties and nineties, and later as a duo performing with John Lenney Jr on keyboards.

Speaking on Radio Cardiff 98.7 FM, John paid tribute to his friend saying Robert was one of the finest musicians in Wales.

Personally speaking, Robert was my first saxophone teacher at an evening class in Radyr back in the early 1990s.

I'm sure I disappointed him with my inability/reluctance to keep practising my scales, but his was a great example of someone who kept honing his technique, not for technique's sake, but to make the most of the instrument's lyrical qualities.

You can hear Robert play on a track by Marcus Davis aka Serious Nubian - check out Cutting Ties on the audio player at www.myspace.com/seriousnubian

If you have any memories of Robert Taylor, you're welcome to post them here.

HSBC Brecon Jazz Stroller programme

2008-07-08T10:54:00.002+01:00

Empirical, Portico and the Blessing are among the cream of British jazz acts confirmed for the Stroller programme of this year's HSBC Brecon Jazz Festival from August 7 to 10.

Other special attractions include Gareth Williams with Pee Wee Ellis, the Three Tenors (Art Themen, Don Weller & Mornington Lockett), and the return of British Brazilian specialists Sirius B.

The Stroller programme also features many of the leading lights on the Welsh jazz scene, such as Paula Gardiner, the Jones O'Connor Group, the Keith Little Band and the Root Doctors.

New Stroller venues for this year include Christ College and Mount Street Junior School, along with regular venues such as the Bishop's Garden, the Guildhall, the Captain's Walk, the Watton Marquee, and the Theatr Brycheiniog Studio for acoustic performances.

See www.breconjazz.co.uk for further details including ticket availability.

Thursdays over for Blues Dragon

2008-07-08T00:30:00.003+01:00

The long-running Blues Dragon sessions on Thursday nights in Cardiff are to cease on July 17.

Organisers say they can no longer afford to stage weekly sessions at the Gower in Cathays, which will end with a gig by Jack the Biscuit.

However, the Friday night Blues Dragon sessions at Cafe Jazz will continue on a weekly basis, and the club is planning to promote bigger names one Saturday a month at the Gower.

They're also considering holding a jam/open night one Thursday a month if there's enough interest.

See www.bluesdragon.org.uk for more about their activities.

Jazz Connection playlist 7 July 2008

2008-07-07T15:05:00.008+01:00

Here's what I played on the Jazz Connection on Monday 7 July 2008 on Radio Cardiff.

Maceo Parker/WDR Big Band - Hallelujah I Love Her So
Arun Ghosh - Aurora
Corinne Bailey Rae - Sexy Back
Gwilym Simcock - A Typical Affair
Jack McDuff - Butter For You Popcorn
Alan Barnes - Baghdad Blues
Finn Peters - The Nightingale
Jim Barber Trio - Birks Works
Andy Bey - Brother Can You Spare a Dime
Tommaso Starace - Keep Moving Please!

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

The next Jazz Connection is in two weeks time on Monday 21 July at 8pm - don't forget you can hear my Middle Eastern bellydance show A Night in Tunisia next Monday 14 July.

Get in touch if you've got any gig news or CDs for airplay on either show.

Huw Warren workshops

2008-06-26T10:40:00.002+01:00

Huw Warren is hosting a series of workshops and jam sessions in Gwynedd this weekend.

Sat 28 June - 9pm - Y Fricsan (Snowdon Inn), Llanberis rd, Cwm y Glo, LL55 4EE - Huw Warren Trio + Jam Session - open invite to all players and a few surprise guests planned. Late night DJ set follows- free entry. See www.snowdoninn.co.uk for more details.

Sun 29 June - 10am-3.30pm - Jazz Day at the Galeri, Caernarfon
An exciting and fun day led by Huw Warren and Paula Gardiner and featuring young musicians from the jazz department of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Cardiff alongside players from the Gwynedd and Môn Youth Jazz Band.

Workshop 10am - 1pm - "Exploring Improvisation" - open to all ages (intermediate to advanced level). Followed by a performance at 2pm - a chance to hear Huw, Paula, and all the workshop participants perform in an informal and relaxed setting in Galeri’s Bar. Tickets £5 - call 01286 685222 for details.

Mon 30 June - 10.30am - Jazz for Juniors - Theatr Harlech
Concert and workshop for primary schools with Huw, Paula and students from the RWCMD
more info - 01755 760667

www.myspace.com/worldjazznetwork
www.myspace.com/huwwarrenmusic

Jazz Connection playlist 23 June 2008

2008-06-23T14:50:00.006+01:00

Here's what I played on the Jazz Connection on Radio Cardiff 98.7 on Monday 23 June - including three tracks by the Esbjörn Svensson Trio (EST) as a tribute to the pianist who died last weekend:

Kenny Dorham - Minor's Holiday
EST - Tide of Trepidation
James Brown - There Was A Time (Kenny Dope remix)
Pentangle - Light Flight
Robert Walter - Maple Plank
George Benson - Summertime
EST - Little Rootie Tootie
Lauren - Glory Box
Tom Richards Orchestra ft Jamie Cullum - Smoke and Mirrors
Liberty Street Jazz Band - Bugle Call Rag
Red Eyed Fly - My Name Is On The Bills
EST - Believe, Beleft, Below

Click here to listen to the show online.

The next edition of the Jazz Connection is on Monday 7 July at 8pm - but I'll be back next Monday 30 June with my Middle Eastern beats and bellydance show, A Night in Tunisia.

The two shows will alternate on Monday nights for the forseeable future - let me know if you have any music suitable for either programme.

Julian Martin/James Chadwick Workshop - July 6

2008-06-19T10:16:00.002+01:00

Guitarist James Chadwick is setting up a one-day workshop with pianist Julian Martin on Sunday 6 July in Cardiff.

The course will include tuition from 10am till 5pm followed by a performance in the evening.

The cost is £50 - venue to be confirmed.

Email james2007guitar @ yahoo.co.uk for details.

Brecon shock at Esbjörn Svensson death

2008-06-16T12:27:00.006+01:00

Organisers of HSBC Brecon Jazz say they're saddened at the death of the Swedish jazz pianist and composer Esbjörn Svensson, who was due to headline at this year's festival.

Svensson (pictured centre with trio colleagues Dan Berglund and Magnus Öström) died in a scuba diving accident in Stockholm on Saturday. He was 44 years old.

The manager of the Esbjörn Svensson Trio (EST) Burkhard Hopper said: "Musically, he was the light that lit the world because in what he did he was pushing boundaries. His music inspired people in all corners of the world."

HSBC Brecon Jazz Festival Director Jim Smith said: "The Brecon Jazz team and I are extremely saddened by Esbjörn Svensson's untimely death.

"I'm sure I speak for many people in saying that it was truly a privilege to watch this man perform. He was a legend in the true sense of the word. My thoughts are with his family at this time."

Formed in 1993, EST produced a string of 13 albums, which brought both critical acclaim and commercial success. They were the first European combo to be honoured on the cover of the prestigious American jazz magazine Down Beat in 2006.

Following a 2005 sell-out debut at Brecon, EST were due to headline the Saturday night at this year's HSBC Brecon Jazz Festival, in a UK concert exclusive.

Esbjörn Svensson is survived by his wife and two sons.

See www.est-music.com for details of his life and work.

I'll be playing some tracks from the trio as a tribute in the next edition of The Jazz Connection on Monday 23 June.

Jazz jam for No Bar 2 Far

2008-06-16T09:13:00.003+01:00

Chris Gilligan leads a jazz jam to launch Friday Night Live on June 20 at No Bar 2 Far in Cardiff city centre.

It's the former Dewi's Bar, next to Cineworld and opposite Cardiff International Arena.

Anyone wanting to play needs only to bring along their instrument and have a word with Chris.

Friday Night Live will offer a range of bands with plenty of jazz and blues - future attractions including Virgil & the Accelerators on (July 4), Dave Arcari (August 1) and Jay Tamkin & the Crackers (August 22).

See www.myspace.com/fridaynightlivecardiff for more info.

Jazz at the Margam Festival

2008-06-10T10:35:00.003+01:00

Saxophonist Simon Spillet and the Dave Cottle Trio are among the attractions of this year's Margam Festival near Port Talbot in July.

They play a gig at the Orangery on Tuesday 8 July, starting at 8pm with tickets £7.50 and £6 concessions.

That's followed on Wednesday 9 July by saxophonist Alan Barnes with the Capital City Jazz Orchestra, also at the Orangery.

Support comes from the Liberty Street Jazz Band who kick off the evening at 6.30pm with the main event at 7.30pm.

There is a fully licensed bar and a traditional hog roast during the interval. Tickets cost £15 and £13 concessions.

See www.npt.gov.uk/margamfestival for more details.

Jazz Connection playlist 9 June 2008

2008-06-09T18:24:00.007+01:00

Here's what I played on the Jazz Connection on Radio Cardiff on Monday 9 June:

Willie Nelson & Wynton Marsalis – Bright Lights Big City
Paul Weller & Robert Wyatt - Song for Alice
Jimmy McGriff – The Worm
Dave Stapleton & Matthew Bourne – Like Enlightenment*
Kevin Figes – Listless*
Dinah Washington – Cry Me a River (Truth and Soul Remix)
Bobby Previte & the New Bump – She Has Information
Ola Onabule – Never Known
Paula Gardiner Trio – In The Garden*
Tim Garland – Epilogue: From The Land
Mike Markey & Nick Jones – Filthy Rich
Bourne/Davis/Kane – De Selby's Earth*
The Jiveoholics – Jiveoholic Boogie
Jeremy Steig - Howling For Judy

*Tracks chosen and discussed by my special guest Dave Stapleton from albums on his new label Edition Records.

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

The next show will be on Monday 23 June - let me know if you have any gig info or CDs for use in future programmes.

Cardiff Jazz Festival - Sunday gig

2008-06-02T16:03:00.003+01:00

An extra gig has been added to the Cardiff Jazz Festival line up - a rare Sunday event for Cafe Jazz with the Rory Simmons Quartet and the Dave Stapleton Quintet on June 8.

After another successful year on the international jazz scene, it's a rare hometown gig for Cardiff-based Stapleton and the quintet. Featuring Dave Stapleton on piano, Jonny Bruce on trumpet, Ben Waghorn sax, Paula Gardiner bass and Elliot Bennet drums.

Trumpeter Rory Simmons has spent a year touring with Jamie Cullum and appears with a band made up of members of London’s Loop Collective - Ivo Neame on piano, Jaspy Hoiby bass and Dave Smith drums.

The gig starts at 8pm and admission is £6.

See www.myspace.com/cardiffjazzfestival for full details.

Gwilym Simcock on TV - June 9

2008-05-30T12:10:00.004+01:00

Jazz pianist Gwilym Simcock is one of five young Welsh artists profiled in Wales Got Talent Too on BBC Two Wales/2W on Monday 9 June at 7pm.

The 26-year-old from Bangor has won wide acclaim for his debut album Perception and previous work with Acoustic Triangle.

The programme also features pop singers Duffy and Karl Morgan, actress Kimberley Nixon, and writer Joe Dunthorne.

Viewers outside Wales can see the programme on Sky Digital channel 961.

Jazz Connection playlist 26 May 2008

2008-05-27T10:22:00.006+01:00

Here's what I played on the Jazz Connection on Radio Cardiff 98.7 FM on Monday 26 May:

Nicola Conte - The Dharma Bums
Anita Wardell - Parker's Mood (Blues)
Jim Barber - Count Kant
Neon - Chu Chu
The Herbaliser - The Next Spot
Lowri Evans - Can't Decide
Fred Wesley and the JBs - Use Me
Evan Christopher - Farewell Blues
Nils Petter Molvaer - The Beginning (from the film Edy)
Kenny Clarke/Francy Boland - Un Grao de Areia
Top Shelf Jazz - Hello Mabel
Lalo Schifrin - Jim On The Move

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

The next programme on Monday 9 June with be a special focussing on Edition Records, a new Cardiff-based contemporary jazz label launched by Dave Stapleton.

In the meantime, if you're a fan of Middle Eastern music, I've got two Night in Tunisia radio shows coming up.

On Wednesday 28 May from 8 till 10pm I'll be on the internet station www.salaamshalom.org.uk then on Monday 2 June I'm filling in for Tim Short's world music slot from 8 till 9pm on Radio Cardiff.

Gwilym Simcock at St David's

2008-05-22T17:25:00.002+01:00

Award-winning pianist Gwilym Simcock performs with his trio in the unique setting of St David's Cathedral in Pembrokeshire on Monday 26 May at 7pm.

The jazz concert is being staged as part of the cathdral's annual festival which runs from May 23 to 31 and mainly features orchestral and choral music.

Tickets cost £15, £11 and £7 with children aged 16 and under admitted free of charge.

See www.stdavidscathedral.org.uk for further details.

Smooth jazz on BRfm

2008-05-21T16:21:00.006+01:00

Smooth jazz fans in south Wales can enjoy two hours of their favourite music every week on community radio station BRfm.

Daryl Cook and Carl Smith present the show every Thursday from 5 till 7pm on the station which broadcasts to the Blaenau Gwent area on 97.3 FM from studios in Brynmawr.

Expect tunes from artists like The Rippingtons, Peter White, Gato Barbieri, Grover Washington, Take 6 and more.

See www.brfm.co.uk for more details and to listen online.

And don't forget my own Jazz Connection show every other Monday at 8pm on Radio Cardiff 98.7 FM and www.radiocardiff.org

Shaw and Simcock up for BBC awards

2008-05-21T13:48:00.005+01:00

Welsh stars Ian Shaw and Gwilym Simcock are among the nominees for the BBC Jazz Awards 2008.

Shaw, from St Asaph, is once again nominated in the Best Vocalist category which he previously won in 2004 and 2007.

Pianist Simcock from Bangor - winner of the Rising Star award in 2005 - is shortlisted for Best Instrumentalist and in the Best Album category for his debut release Perception.

The Best Album is one of several awards being decided by a public vote.

See the BBC Jazz Awards website for full details and to cast your votes.

The winners will be announced online following the awards ceremony at London's Mermaid Theatre on Monday 21 July.

Highlights will be broadcast on BBC Radio 2, and there'll be a special awards edition of Jazz on 3 on BBC Radio 3 on Saturday 26 July.

The Point wins stay of execution

2008-05-21T13:38:00.002+01:00

The Point music venue in Cardiff Bay has won a stay of execution after a court case over noise levels was dropped.

Owners of the converted church feared that a hefty fine could have forced the venue's closure.

But the case brought by a residential neighbour's complaint was dropped after the venue and Cardiff council agreed a £50,000 programme of soundproofing measures.

Owner Richard Jones told the BBC: "I am pleased that we are not fighting with the council across a courtroom today and that instead, after a lot of dialogue with them, we have agreed that the venue will be given time to commission internal works to reduce the noise emitting from the building.

The Point, which has hosted jazz gigs by bands including Acoustic Ladyland and the James Taylor Quartet in recent months, is now due to close temporarily in August for the soundproofing work to be carried out.

Read the full story on the BBC News website.

HSBC Brecon Jazz headliners named

2008-05-13T22:18:00.005+01:00

The headliners for the 2008 HSBC Brecon Jazz Festival have been announced as the mid Wales market town celebrates the event's silver anniversary from August 7 to 10.

Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra return for the opening night on Thursday 7th August.

On Friday 8th there'll be debut Brecon appearances by Cerys Matthews and Joan Armatrading, while legendary saxophonist Joe Temperley leads the 25th Anniversary Brecon All Stars with special guest Martin Taylor.

Other Friday night highlights include Mark Murphy's first ever gig in Wales, a Brecon debut for rising UK stars the Neil Cowley Trio, and Latin newcomers La Trova Oriente.

Saturday's attractions include Lee Konitz, EST, Roberta Gambarini, and Courtney Pine's tribute to Sidney Bechet.

On Sunday the festival closes with Maceo Parker, Abram Wilson, Dame Cleo Laine and Sir John Dankworth.

See www.breconjazz.co.uk for further details and booking information or call the box office on 0870 990 1299.

More star names will be announced in June and July along with details of the Stroller programme.

Festival Director Jim Smith said, "This is a very important and exciting year for the festival and Brecon town.

"25 years is an incredible milestone and much thanks is due to the many people who have worked so hard over the years.

"We will be staging around 100 events over the course of the 4 days of the festival and I am delighted that so many people locally, across Wales and the UK, and indeed internationally, have come together to make this unique event one which we're sure will be remembered for many years hence".

Last October HSBC Brecon Jazz was named Best Major Event In Wales at the Welsh Tourism Awards.

Jazz Connection playlist 12 May 2008

2008-05-12T23:22:00.004+01:00

Here's what I played on the Jazz Connection on Radio Cardiff on Monday 12 May:

Caribbean Jazz Project ft Dave Samuels - Rendezvous
Cassandra Wilson - St James Infirmary
Thelonius Monk - Rhythm-A-Ning (Live at Monterey)
Jessie J - Tequila Moon
3 Square - Canteloupe Island
Brecon Jazz interview with Jim Smith
Burum - Yr Eneth Glaf (The Ailing Maiden)
Bluesy Susie - Cry Me A River
McCoy Tyner Trio with Joe Lovano - Mellow Minor
James Taylor Quartet - Theme from Starsky and Hutch

Hear the show right at www.jazz-connection.co.uk on my new improved radio player.

The next show is on Bank Holiday Monday 26 May at 8pm - keep sending me your CDs and gig info for use on the show.

And if anyone's interested, my new Middle Eastern and bellydance radio show - A Night in Tunisia - starts this Wednesday 14 May, 8 till 10pm on the internet station www.salaamshalom.org.uk

Cardiff Jazz Festival - June 3 to 10

2008-05-09T15:00:00.006+01:00

A second annual celebration of the Cardiff jazz scene is being lined up from June 3rd to 10th with the focus on youth and vibrancy.

Here's the line-up:

Tuesday 3 June
Alan Barnes with the Capital City Jazz Orchestra - Dempseys

Thursday 5 June - Jigsaw - Swell Bar

Friday 6 June - Top Shelf Jazz - Swell Bar

Friday 6 June - Heulwen Thomas Quartet - Palladino's

Saturday 7 June - Jones O'Connor Group - Swell Bar

Tuesday 10 June
The Lighthouse Project ft Gwilym Simcock - St David's Hall

Tuesday 10 June - Ashley John Long Big Band - Dempseys

For full details, see www.myspace.com/cardiffjazzfestival

Maria Pia de Vito and Huw Warren

2008-05-02T11:29:00.003+01:00

Award winning pianist and composer Huw Warren will be playing three UK concerts with the Italian jazz singer Maria Pia de Vito in May.

Their new CD Dialektos will be released in the summer and features several of Huw's pieces with Neopolitan lyrics from Maria.

The dates are as follows:

Saturday May 10th - 7.30pm - Jazzin' Llangollen 08
Royal International Pavilion, Llangollen
01978 860111
www.royal-pavilion.co.uk/jazz/

Sunday May 11th - 7.30pm - Theatr Harlech
01766 780667
www.theatrharlech.com

Tuesday May 12th - 1pm - Brighton Festival
Pavilion Theatre Lunchtime series
01273 709709
www.brightonfestival.org