THE sounds of jazz will once again ring out through the streets of Brecon this weekend as the town’s annual celebration of the music gets into full swing.
The Brecon Jazz Weekend features concerts in venues across the town including Theatr Brycheiniog, the Guildhall and Brecon Cathedral as well as a free exhibition and workshops.
Alongside the jazz concerts pubs and other venues will also host a wide range of music as part of the Brecon Fringe Festival.
We’ve picked out some of the highlights of the August 12-14 weekend.
Theatr Brycheiniog
Brecon Jazz Futures 2016 presents an exciting blend of the emerging bands from London, Manchester, Cardiff and Edinburgh.
Kizzy Crawford aims to fuse bilingual soul-folk and jazz and has received airplay on BBC Radio 1, BBC 6 Music, BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru. Kizzy won the ‘Brwydr Y Bandiau’ at the National Eisteddfod 2013. Friday, 8pm.
Dennis Rollins & Velocity with Nerija: Dennis is highly respected and a great Brecon Jazz favourite having first played Brecon Jazz in 2002 with Badbone & Co, he launched Velocity in 2011 and their latest album Symbiosis has been very well received.
Nerija recently nominated for Jazz FM’s Breakthrough Act of the Year 2016, are an all female collective of up and coming musicians playing exciting and original music. Saturday, 9.30pm.
On Sunday the programme at the theatre will also feature the ever-popular local band Wonderbrass, Brecon Jazz stalwarts and the weekend will conclude with a Futures Fiesta
Brecon Cathedral
A Duke Ellington Showcase will feature The Capital City Jazz Orchestra in the same 15 piece configuration as adopted by the legendary Ellington bands of the 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s.
Sharing the stage with the Orchestra are featured soloists Sarah Moule and Johnny Tudor. Saturday, 6pm.
Jacqui Dankworth Quintet: Multi award winning vocalist Jacqui leads a truly stellar quintet of world class musicians through a programme which celebrates some of the greatest musical creations to emerge from a century of popular song. Jacqui will be joined on this special occasion by acclaimed American pianist/vocalist, Charlie Wood. Sunday, 7.30pm.
The Guildhall
Music and Wellbeing: Musician Erika Lyons, a top double bass player in many jazz lineups, is also a qualified music therapist. She leads the music and wellbeing workshop at 12 noon on Friday to open the weekend.
Women in Jazz: The exhibition, curated by Swansea-based Jazz Heritage Wales, will open on Friday from 2.15 pm accompanied by music from Jen Wilson (on piano) and her guests, singers Elissa Evans, Margot Morgan with sax/clarinet from Deborah Glenister and flute from Alexa Dene. The ‘Women in Jazz’ exhibition continues at the Brecon Guildhall throughout Saturday and on Sunday.
Tina May: No stranger to Wales Tina regularly returns as a visiting expert at Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama on the Jazz Performance course, led by Paula Gardiner. Saturday, 8.15pm.
Brecon Frazz Parade
The Brecon Jazz and Fringe Festival are combing to hold a parade through town on Saturday.
The event, which is supported by a number of community groups, is described as a chance to dress in your most colourful clothes and celebrate the weekend with everyone invited to join in.
Those wanting to join in should gather at Theatr Brycheiniog at 2.30pm, for a 3pm start, and the parade will finish at Brecon Cathedral.
For a full guide to the weekend pick up this week’s Brecon & Radnor Express - on sale now
For further details on Brecon Jazz Weekend concerts and workshops and how to book tickets visit http://breconjazz.club/wp/