James Brown documentary brings the funk to Bristol Jazz and Blues Festival
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
A special screening of the documentary The Night James Brown Saved Boston, directed by David Leaf, is set to be shown on the opening night at this year’s highly anticipated Bristol International Jazz & Blues Festival which runs from 7-9 March.
Now in its second year, the annual Bristol Jazz and Blues Festival continues where it left off last year, with performances from internationally recognised musicians and the best of the British jazz scene. The programme is set to run at Bristol’s Colston Hall with over 24 individual concerts as well as several late night jam sessions to be held in the Colston Hall Bar and master classes by various musicians (The Folk House, Bristol).
The festival begins with an intimate duo performance by one of the UK’s leading saxophonists Andy Sheppard (pictured) and guitarist John Parricelli, prior to the main openers of the festival, Osibisa, the Ghanaian Afro-fusion group, who are due to set the stage alight with their unique blend of jazz, funk, Caribbean, R&B, Latin and African rhythms. The festival also features a world premiere of Interplay, performed by pianist Kate Williams’ jazz trio with the Bristol Ensemble chamber orchestra conducted by William Goodchild (9 Mar). The piece explores the work of iconic pianist Bill Evans and The Impressionists (composers such as Ravel, Debussy, Satie and Williams) fusing together jazz and classical music.
Other highlights include: Pee Wee Ellis & Fred Wesley Funk All Stars (8 Mar); former Meters drummer Zigaboo Modeliste & The Big Chiefs (8 Mar); Alan Barnes & Howard Alden Quintet (8 Mar); and a double bill featuring Get The Blessing with Portishead guitarist Adrian Utley with support from Indigo Kid (9 Mar). Following the success of last year’s Duke Ellington’s Sacred Music concert, the festival will also include a Gershwin tribute concert with new arrangements by Ned Bennett who also leads the 17-piece band who will be joined by City Of Bristol Choir, The North Bristol Wellbeing Choir and Clifton College Choir with guest vocals from Jacqui Dankworth (8 Mar). The weekend comes to a close with a late night performance by Irish rockabilly vocalist Imelda May (9 Mar).
– Daniel Taylor
For more info go to www.bristoljazzandbluesfest.com