Jazz News for July 2023
A big blooming welcome to all jazzophiles
After a flaming June we seem to have settled into a cool and windy July. Festival season is now in full swing with Manchester. Cheltenham and Swansea already behind us – did you manage to get to any of them? If you did, please let us know your reaction to the music that you heard and any recommendations for our future programme.
However 3 of our NJ team did go to Swansea jazz to see alto sax star Alan Barnes who was brilliant as always, he was playing Charlie Parker tunes with the local trio of Dave Cottle piano, Paul Smith drums and Alan Vaughan bass.
This wonderful alto and baritone player has a natural gift for presentation as well as a talent for sardonic humour and entertaining introductions. We all agreed that we will try and tempt him to come and play a gig for us soon as possible which will be in early next year if all goes well.
A worryingly small number of folk were tempted out last month to see a fine performance from Dick Hamer’s band with Jenny Jones. It was a very warm and bright evening so it was not so surprising so we are hoping for a cool and cloudy night on 20th July when Tomos Williams brings his tribute to Miles Davis to Narberth. This will be the trumpeter’s second time presenting this show here and I hope you will help us get a big audience for what will be a great night of entertainment.
Tomos is a leading figure in Welsh jazz who comes from Aberystwyth, is unique in straddling both the folk and jazz worlds. He has played internationally with the widely respected and ground breaking Welsh folk band Fernhill for the past 15 years.
As well as leading 7 Steps and Khamira, he also leads the Welsh jazz/folk band ‘Burum’ which uses Welsh traditional melodies in a modern jazz context, which has played and toured in the US, India and France. Get your tickets in advance www.narberthjazz.wales/events
Next up will be the premier event of the year – The Garden Party at Lampeter House. Julian and Mami Williams have again very kindly offered us the use of their terrace and garden , this time it’s on Saturday August 5th and features The Constellation Big Band playing a selection of hits from the Duke, The Count etc from the big band era.
Jazzology will support with a feel good set of American classics.
There will be seats on the tiered part of the garden and other chairs for the lawn, but you may want to bring your own folding chair. Anti midge lotion and an umbrella might also be useful. There will be snacks and a Bar with Pimms etc available but you are welcome to bring your own picnic.
The gate is open from 3pm – live music 4pm Finishing 8.30+.
Other local events you may enjoy:-
Tenby Jazz brunch is on Sunday 13th August with Afternoon in Paris
Aberjazz have a number of pre festival events including on Friday 21st July in Ffwrn – Whiskey River. On Friday 18th August in Ffwrn Melanie O’Reilly Quartet . On Saturday 19th August in Ffwrn The pre-festival party with the Swinging Nettles followed by the Flyrites.
Swansea jazz club is on a roll at the moment with a weekly programme of good bands in a suitable venue. Check it out here https://www.swanseajazz.co.uk/
In case you missed it, BBC did a tribute to Burt Bacharach from Ronnie Scott’s in April which is still available on Sounds. http://bit.ly/3m4p3pU
We have a vacancy on our organising group if you would like to volunteer your time. It is fun and not too demanding. Please call Ben on 07551 793388
That’s all for now, we look forward to seeing you soon.
NJ Team.