The sun and the crowds come out for Bristol Jazz and Blues Festival
Friday, March 21, 2014
The stars, planets and weather lined up for the 2ndBristol Jazz and Blues Festival this weekend.
As the sun came out the crowds flocked in to hang out in the foyer of the city’s Colston Hall, lining the soaring staircase, soaking up the atmosphere and enjoying some of the 70 events featuring over 400 artists whether it was the free foyer programme or the diverse series of ticketed gigs.
They ranged from funk legends Pee Wee Ellis and Fred Wesley (pictured above), through a fizzing set of standards from an Alan Barnes/Howard Alden led band, a double bill of the contrasting lyricism of Dan Messore's Indigo Kid, the bluesy soul-jazz of New Orleans star Lillian Boutté (pictured top), and Get the Blessing in riotous form and a wind it down, improvised set from Andy Sheppard (below) and Italian percussionist Michele Rabbia that closed the festival in the smaller of the two concert halls, The Lantern. On the way there was the mass particpation of a Gershwin Spectacular with a colorful choir of 200 and the more intense meeting of classical and jazz with the premiere of Kate Williams and Will Goodchild's Interplay project.
There was a tremendous buzz and frequent outbreaks of dancing all weekend. The jam sessions on the foyer stage ensured that the night-owls were able to keep going until the early hours. Diaries are already being marked in hopeful anticipation of another festival next year.
– Mike Collins
– Photos © Tim Dickeson