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Gwyl Jazz Abersoch Jazz Festival 2010
Dymyna Cymdeithas Jazz Abersoch ddiolch i'r noddwyr ac i bawb arall am eu cefnogaeth i'r Wyl.
The Abersoch Jass Festival Committee would like to take this opportunity to thank our sponsors and all who have supported this Festival.
White Stuff
Harold Roberts
May Update – Unfortunately Dave Wasket, the trumpeter with the Gambit Jazzmen is unable to come to the Festival. However we are very lucky , band leader Pete Lay is bringing Chris Tyle as a special featured player. It is an opportunity to hear this wonderful multitalented musician over in the UK from New Orleans.
Isabel Toner is disappointed at being unable to host the special jam session with Malcolm. They have made it a highlight of the Festival that gives opportunities for all musicians to ‘have a go’! Isabel is now resident bass player with the Blue Magnolia Jass Band owing to the sad death of Jones. The two sessions overlapped and could not be changed. Trefor ‘fingers’ Williams stepped into the breach and he will also be delivering some of his ‘caring words of wisdom’ at the Gospel Service. Dr Jazz aim to use a theme based on ‘the great old crooners’ during the weekend, eg. Tony Bennett, Sinatra. Should make good, easy listening. Mr Neil Hopkins has kindly framed and donated a rare original poster for the raffle. It is from the Llangollen Jazz Festival of 1987 and is signed by many of the renowned musicians who were appearing such as Humphrey Littleton. Please note The Cove at the SCYC is under new management and there will not be any food after 2.30pm. So many young people participate in the event through the schools and village hall workshops, jazz poster exhibition, Gospel Service, young musicians contracted and the Parade. The Parade will again comprise of two marshals and bands, Luisitano horses, Sea Cadets and hopefully lots of decorated hats and brollies. The Lotus Car Club of Cheshire promise us more beautiful cars and new models on display before the OFF! The Committee really appreciate all the support from Grant Funders, Sponsors, the hard working volunteers, the local community, talented musicians and our welcome visitors and friends. Thank you so much, we could not do without you. Amazingly 2011 is our 10th Anniversary and we will make it extra special. Dates for the diary 10th June 2011 to 12th June 2011. Unfortunately Second Line Jazz band from Sweden will not be here in September but look out for news of a winter gig.
April Update – Now, into April, we continue to wet your appetites for the ‘fantabulous’ music we have in store for your delight, by adding pictures of some more of the artists (secured at great expense!!!) who will be new to Abersoch this year.
Not new, but ever popular, the highly talented Mr Tom Kincaid will be present as a soloist and a band member. He will be featured, with other soloists during band breaks on Friday afternoon, when, for the first time, we will have two sessions. We also have a ‘wandering minstrel’ – the amazing Mr Adrian Cox - who will be appearing randomly throughout the festival – don’t miss him! BUSKERS, please come and participate in the sessions at The Vaynol. All styles of music are welcome, e.g. skiffle, folk, R&B, country &western - they would add a new dimension to the festival. Though primarily a top jazz music festival, you will notice that several bands travelling from abroad are once again bringing their World Cup football flags and colours to add to the occasion. We might even, once again, have a repeat of our own world cup match on the main beach! News Update – Hot off the Press –
Marcia Pendlebury is coming as a soloist instead of with her Quartet, and James Evans is bringing his new band, the ‘James Evans Rocket Four’.
Also, this year, there will be a ‘wealth of trombones’ at Abersoch!
Keep watching this space!!
The Abersoch Jazz Committee would like to thank all of you who took the trouble to fill in one of our event questionnaires at last year’s Festival. We assure you each one is read, discussed and action taken where possible. Constructive criticism and satisfied comments are really appreciated, we smile, scream or cry accordingly!!!
The 2010 Festival will take on board as much as possible but, as any other event organisers will know, increasing bureaucracy, ‘club members’ at venues, volunteer lack of time and economical hurdles are sometimes impossible to clear!
Firstly, many congratulations to three of the young musicians who have appeared regularly over the last few years at the Abersoch Jazz Festival, for winning places in the British Jazz Awards 2009. Amy Roberts was 1st and Jamie Brownfield 5th in the rising star category. Jamie’s Quintet was 4th in the New CD category and James Evans was 4th in the clarinet section. Secondly, what is new for the Festival 2010? – a new theme and great musicians appearing for the first time in Abersoch alongside the established favourites. The ‘Mix and Max’ theme aims to promote wonderful live jazz and showcase its’ rich range and wide variety: some examples are Trad/Modern, Young/Old, Solo/Big Band, sit and Listen/ get up and Dance! Bands new to Abersoch are the brilliant ‘Good Time Jazz’ from France; the very entertaining ‘Slide by Slide’; ‘Tailor Maid’ and exciting 11 piece Rhythm and Blues Soul Band, ‘Before and After’, a special surprise mix of talented musicians and finally to confuse us all James Evans is bringing a new band – not the one advertised in the flyer!
Special soloists new to the event are Paul Harrison (reeds) all the way from Denmark, Graham Hughes (trombone and occasional double bass/vocals) and Trefor ‘Fingers’ Williams (double bass) travelling up from the London area. We are thrilled to be welcoming returning bands, the very professional Mart Rodgers Manchester Jazz and popular Liverpool based the Blue Magnolia Jass Orchestra. Our favourite local bands, who offer an amazing range of sounds from Gypsy jazz, Zideco, Swing, Trad, Mainstream, Dixieland to Brass Band will be performing for you all again – we are lucky to have so much talent in the area. All this would not be complete without the two ‘travelling’ bands, central to the Festival from the start in 2001, our young friends from Holland, the Oriental Jazz Band (with families and jazz fans!) and the swinging sound of TJ Johnson and his band from London. This year the tickets were ready for purchase in November! So get the “early bird” strollers before they all go. Be there or be square – to sit, listen, dance or parade with your brolly. Come and enjoy keeping Jazz very much alive. Nearly all the bands and soloists have really interesting websites so in your “spare time” before the Festival do go on line, have a look and see what treats there in store for June 10th to 13th.
Photos courtesy of Barry Kesterton.
Keeping the tradition of Jazz alive in Abersoch
The 2nd Line Jazz Band from Sweden played to a full house at 5 Degrees West, on 18 .09.2009. Hopefully, they will be “over here from over there” once again in September 2010 – an opportunity not to be missed. |
