Welcome: Croeso: To the Narberth Jazz community music organisation, run by volunteers and presenting a variety of different music mainly Jazz and Jazz related.
Clark Tracey Quintet Play the Plas Hotel Narberth.
As the concluding part of their UK tour the quintet played their final event for Narberth Jazz at the Plas on the 20th June and the only event that they played in Wales. The concert was delivered in two cracking sets with enthusiastic applause from the audience, The first set started with two diversely characterful pieces from Clarke father Stan Tracey, the first being ‘Rainbow At The Five Mile Road’ and the second you ‘Euphony’. Followed by ‘My One and Only Love’, where RJ Gilbert belied his youth and produced consistent effortless fluency and breath control throughout each of his performances. Thelonious’s ‘Blue Monk’ followed – not an easy work to play but pianist Dave Newton relished playing to this musical excentric and mavericks chart delivered a stunning performance. The next tune was ‘A Bitta Bittadose’ , a great crowd pleaser, which gave each musician a chance to rise to the occasion. The reeds of Simon Allen (tenor) and RJ Gilbert (alto) leading the horn choruses and encouraging each-other’s performances, clearly creatively enjoying each other’s playing and company. The inventiveness of Dave Newton’s piano complemented the fine work on double bass of Al Swainger topped off with Clark Tracey demonstrating why he is constantly rated as the UK’s best drummer with his invented use of his kit!
Second set started with another Stan Tracey piece ‘A Funky Day in Cardiff Bay’. Followed by ‘This I Dig of You’ and the Sonny Rollin’s drum lead Latin shuffle, ‘St Thomas’, with Simon Allen using the soprano sax. All participants thoroughly stretched their music prowess’s to the delight of the audience. The short but sweet encore was Rollins ‘Oled’ A fitting piece to round off a glorious evening of the highest quality music. Our event was supported by the Arts Council of Wales ‘Night Out’ scheme.
Narberth Jazz presents the 4th Annual Garden Party at Lampeter House. 28th July 2024
Where, just maybe the weather will be kind to us as it was in earlier years when we were able to have a glorious afternoon and early evening of pleasure and entertainment whilst listing and enjoying marvellous music from three styles of bands.
Tickets on the day from the ‘Box office’ on site at Lampeter House or of course from our Website. Garden PartyNarberth Jazz
Please don’t forget that your annual subscription are due for 2024. So please go to https://narberthjazz.wales/event/membership-renewal/
On the 16th of May 2024 we had our own Dominic Norcross with the James Chadwick Trio to entertain us.
Plus our President’s Birthday ‘bash’
Our June event at the Plas will be the Clark Tracey Quintet.
11th April saw the exciting pianist Eddy Gripper playing for us at the Plas Hotel.
Described as “a critically acclaimed debut that’s already garnered comparisons with the greats” (Jazzwise) and “a remarkably mature-sounding trio album” (London Jazz News), the 23 year old pianist, Eddie Gripper, brings his band to Narberth Jazz for the launch of ‘Home’, as part of the UK/IE Album Tour.
Narberth Jazz proudly presented the Dave Jones Quintet at the Plas Hotel in Narberth on Thursday March 21st for his 60th Birthday Tour.
Renowned for their captivating performances and fresh from The Pizza Express Jazz Club – London, this quintet promises to deliver an exceptional night of musical brilliance. Dave Jones and his talented ensemble will showcase their artistry, blending classic tunes with swinging rhythms and smooth improvisations and of course contemporary flair.
15th February we had Cameron Saint with an octet mesmerising us with ‘The Mingus Project’.
A major tour triumph in Narberth
In-spite of the wet and misty evening on Thursday 15th February the Joint was Jumpin’ at the Plas Hotel in Narberth.
Why?
Well an ensemble of eight brilliant young musicians gathered at the hotel to perform examples of Charles Mingus music, as part of their UK ‘Mingus Project Tour’.
A near capacity audience rapturously applauded the superb musicianship of this eight piece group.
Hailing from Cardiff, the 8 incredible young musicians, who are all perfecting their art at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama with tuition from some of the best Jazz artists in the UK!
The lineup includes: Nils Kavanagh – piano; Gruff Owen – drums; Dan Vause – tenor; Em Craig – alto; Tiggy Blackwell – trombone; Toby Kearns – trumpet; Sylvie Noble – vocals; all lead by Cameron Saint – double bass.
Their youth belied their performances, both as individual soloist’s and their ensemble work exhibited a maturity of musicianship and talent well beyond their years.
The set included many of Charie Mingus’s foot tapping compositions including; Peggy’s Blue Skylight, Fables of Faubus and Eclipse amongst the pieces they included.
And man did they swing.
As Charlie (Bird) Parker once said “Music speaks better than words”
Our first Gig of the New Year saw the Hot Club Gallois bringing their artistry to a near capacity audience at the Plas Hotel
Our Party at the Plas Hotel went down a storm.
16th November we had a welcome return of Keith Little and his SWING FOUR.
On Thursday 19th October last, Around About Dusk entertained us well with some superb playing.
On the 21st September we celebrated John Gibbon’s 50th anniversary as a professional drummer.
A wonderful evening was appreciated by the appreciative audience at the Plas.
Narberth Jazz presented a suitable cake together with other items of food and drink to him during the interval.
