Regular readers will recall a front page story recently in the B&R, on January 12, and its dramatic headline ‘Jazz Festival is no longer viable, says study’.

The article presented some of the findings from a ‘Scoping Study in respect of Brecon Jazz’ from consultant Nod Knowles. Brecon Town Council commissioned the study, which was released on December 12 last year. Its purpose was to review the current situation and potential options for development (or redevelopment) of a jazz festival for Brecon.

The report is the outcome of meetings, visits and interviews, as well as desk research of various related documents. Nod Knowles, who is an experienced commentator, and admits to a degree of affection for the Brecon Jazz Festival, identified four options, which are currently under discussion by the Town Council. Each is followed by a list of points of ‘what needs to be done’ to achieve it. We’ve abbreviated the options here-

Option 1: Accept the demise of the jazz festival

stand back from any attempts to provide a replacement of any kind.. something may emerge, as the jazz festival did in the 1980s.

Option 2: Develop a new strand of activity or event

the relevant public agencies and local networks to explore and plan a development…created with the express aim of raising the town’s profile and generating a substantial economic impact..perhaps within the new town plan.

Option 3: A Festival in August

harnessing the old festival time slot, the enthusiasm of Brecon Jazz Club and the widespread involvement by local venues in the Fringe, a new style of weekend event could be established…everyone can promote and present whatever they wish…flooding the town with all kinds of action and entertainment…all participants would be stakeholders.

Option 4: Developing Young Musicians, Attracting Young Audiences

such as the ‘Jazz Futures’ programme at Theatr Brycheiniog 2016 [presenting] potential talent amongst the UK’s young jazz musicians and filling a possible gap in provision in Wales for young creative and improvising musicians and their audiences for ‘creative music’ (perhaps) rather than specifically jazz… A risk for any organization but a challenge that…might put Brecon on the map in relation to music and creativity in an entirely new perspective.

Local responses from jazz supporters and local businesses

We’ve been receiving feedback from audience, musicians, residents and businesses. Several have expressed shocked surprise at the report, and disappointment. Some commented on specific points, for example about the jazz audience – ‘the audience is, without apology, over fifties - with enough disposable income to use local accommodation and restaurants and to inject cash into the local economy - why would you douse this?’ Another wrote, ‘what’s wrong with an older audience?’ Adding that, ‘many of the musicians who play at the jazz club are younger people even if the audience tender to be older’.

One writer asks ‘what has happened to the (arts) funds that used to be allocated for the jazz festival?’ And argues that an ‘Impact analysis’ of the festival and of the impact of it not running is needed, or an assessment of what the impact of the changes – risks – is likely to reveal. Another business owner – and we’ve reported previously on issues around alcohol and public behaviour – says ‘Brecon Jazz has had it’s day - a bit like Brecon, I’m sad to say’, although praised the efforts of the jazz club especially, bringing people to town on the Saturday. Fortunately, most were highly positive about the activity of BJ 2016, if a little dismayed at the report on BJ.

One related question raised was ‘why not build on what was done this time’, in August 2016? Why would a town, we ask, give up a major iconic event, that is world famous, and brings in hundreds (if not anymore, thousands) of visitors? Especially a town that is suffering, with too many empty shops and sub-optimised businesses. Others spend marketing fortunes trying to create something like BJ! We all agree about change, but after all, the last BJ was different.

Indeed, several businesses have told us that they had their best year in terms of takings last Jazz weekend, something not really assessed in the report data. We conducted our own field evaluation too. It is not just we who are saying this, here are some quotes from businesses –

This year’s Brecon Jazz Festival showed that the passion for a Jazz Festival is still alive in Brecon..

We are constantly asked when the Jazz festival takes place, so it is in the national psyche. I think it is important for the town. It draws attention to Brecon and it has survived for a long time. It can only be good.

All the time, we get phone calls asking about the date for the next Jazz festival. If there was no jazz festival. If it didn’t happen, the fringe would carry on, but the whole thing would diminish if the jazz went.

Brecon Jazz Festival is known the world over, it is absolutely a quintessential musical entity and brand.. widely regarded as an iconic weekend in the music calendar. This is why people fight so hard to keep it going.

It is a real boost to the year and is universally popular.

It was a fantastic year for us and definitely better than last year. I really welcomed the laid back atmosphere this time; people were not panicking about concert times and asking us to perform miracles service wise. I think people were much more relaxed and, although some people who I would have expected to see didn’t appear, it was a very nice atmosphere.

It felt like the festival was only on for one day rather than three, judging by the numbers out on the streets on the Friday and Sunday. Jazz club did a cracking job in the time available and maybe the way forward is on a smaller scale

We took the most (money) we have ever taken on a Saturday this jazz festival weekend – yes jazz and fringe customers, but without the jazz it would run down

Jazz people actually buy stuff – art, craft, books, products… For many businesses, the jazz weekend (income) helps see them through the year [several told us this]

Brecon did what Brecon always does - came together and against all the odds gave, Jazz, Music, Culture and Food lovers a weekend to remember and firm foundations on which to build a way forward - - and we will do everything we can as a business and individuals to help ensure that happens.

From some jazz supporters, writing in response to the Report –

What a wonderful jazz festival we had this year though it was on a smaller scale… disappointed to see so little appreciation of the huge efforts and packed out events…

The option not explored (in the Report) is the option of building on the successful BJ weekend led by the jazz club this year…

And these encouraging comments also addressed to the jazz club -

Let’s just put on gigs and let the world chase us…jazz will do the right thing. So many musicians are fond of Brecon jazz…old friends will support us…there is much support there already. The jazz world is full of friends.

Yes indeed. We thank everyone who has written in, and look forward to even more communications! Our jazz club website includes several pages of audience, visitor and musician feedback from last August’s jazz events. It also contains a link to the full Nod Knowles’ BJ report, as well as other material. And of course our monthly jazz club events: www.breconjazz.club

Next jazz club is on Tuesday, February 14 – 8pm at Muse Arts Centre, for Ruth Bowen and Heinz Hunt (vocals, bass and saxes, flute) with Simon Deeley (keyboard), Rich Bowen (drums) £8/£10 members/others on the door. Before that, as it is Valentine’s evening, we are sharing our ‘love’ - of jazz - with all at the Wellington Hotel. Upstairs studio/gallery bar, for a buffet (£10 per person) from 6.15pm. Good for business, good for music, great for friendship. All welcome. Must book in advance, please at: [email protected]