Jazz breaking news: Pee Wee Ellis, Georgie Fame and Jacqui Dankworth for Bristol Jazz & Blues Festival 2014
Thursday, October 24, 2013
The second annual Bristol International Jazz & Blues Festival is set to run from 6-9 March 2014, returning after its successful inaugural run this year that saw a three busy days and nights at the city’s Colston Hall as swathes of jazz bands took over the main auditorium and free stage foyer space.
This year’s programme both reflects Bristol’s distinctive jazz legacy and a diverse range of music typified by iconic openers Osibisa, the Ghanaian Afro-fusion pioneers recognised for their danceable blend of latin, rock and jazz sounds over their energetic African highlife rhythms.
Internationally renowned Bristolians appear in the form of saxophonist Andy Sheppard in two separate concerts with Michele Rabbia and John Parricelli, while former JBs funk sax icon Pee Wee Ellis appears with his Funk Assembly band that includes keyboardist Gareth Williams, bassist Laurence Cottle, guitarist Tony Remy and drummer Mark Mondesir. The new generation of groove-fuelled jazzers is also present with altoist James Morton’s Porkchop funk crew and a double bill featuring cool-strutting post-rock jazz stylists Get The Blessing with an opening set from emergent guitarist Dan Messore’s Indigo Kid featuring revered UK saxophonist Iain Ballamy.
Mainstream, swing and funk sounds are there too via icon 1960s swinger Georgie Fame, guitarist Denny Illett and trumpeter Johnny Bruce’s Big Band, the Alan Barnes/Howard Alden Quintet, Evan Christopher’s clarinet-led Django a la Creole group, the evocative smoky swing of Moscow Drug Club, plus two popular New Orleans names – singer Lillian Boutté and former Meters drummer Zigaboo Modeliste & The Big Chiefs – who also appear. Rising stars get a look in too with an appearance by Tbilisi-born piano prodigy Beka Gochiashvili who presents his explosive style of hard bopping jazz with his Trio, while rising star saxophonist James Gardiner-Bateman appears with his Quintet.
And following the success of this year’s Duke Ellington’s Sacred music concert, the 2014 festival will 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. With 20 freestage foyer performances and nightly jam sessions in the Colston Hall Bar.
– Mike Flynn
For more go to www.bristoljazzandbluesfest.com