Jazz breaking news: Brecon is back with fresh new programming angle
Monday, May 17, 2010
The Brecon Jazz Festival returns with a bang this year, Jazzwise can reveal exclusively, run by the team responsible for the prestigious Hay Festival, and with an exciting forward looking line-up, including Kit Downes Trio, Gwilym Simcock, Phronesis, Get The Blessing and Eric Truffaz, that will more than please Jazzwise readers.
Running from 6-8 August the organisers are looking to rebuild and rebrand the festival in the Powys market town and make it a serious contender on the international jazz festival circuit with a line-up that draws heavily on cutting edge new talent from the UK and Europe, as well as big international names that, this year will include Hugh Masekela, Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club and Orchestre National de Jazz’s Around Robert Wyatt project.
“Brecon needs a phoenix moment and is reinventing itself as youthful and family-centered festival,” says Peter Florence, Hay Festival director. “It’s a showcase for progressive music and emerging superstars – a little less Tradition and a lot more Transition. We’re looking to the most dynamic and accessible contemporary performers in Africa and Europe, and will still be presenting some of America and Britain's greatest instrumentalists.”
Reflecting the changes will be a new festival logo and branding as well as a streamlining of venues with performances taking place at the Market Hall, Brecon Cathedral, Theatr Brycheiniog, Christ College stage and the Roland Stage.
In addition to the names mentioned above other highlights are: Trio of Oz with Rachel Z, Omar Hakim and Maeve Royce; Dave Stapleton Quartet, Neil Cowley Trio; Portico Quartet; Pee Wee Ellis Funk Ensemble; Peter King, Quentin Collins Sextet; Andy Sheppard Movements in Colour; Keith & Julie Tippett’s Couple in Spirit. Mainstream, blues and trad fans are also catered for with Acker Bilk, Scott Hamilton and Charlie Musselwhite on the bill.
More details are available from www.breconjazz.org.
Jazzwise is media sponsor of Brecon Jazz.