ONE of the Sunday concerts at this year’s Brecon Jazz weekend is being named in tribute to much-missed Jazz supporter, former First Minister and Welsh Assembly AM Rhodri Morgan.
His wife, Julie Morgan, has given the proposal her blessing, saying: “Rhodri loved Brecon and we barely missed attending.”
Lynne Gornall, from the organising team, said she felt this was “an appropriate way to commemorate a wonderful supporter, through music and a concert, and also to get people back on board with jazz”.
In addition to the events on the public stage in Brecon town centre (see above) Lynne said St Mary’s Church and the Tower Café staff would be working through the weekend to put on their own programme of music. Lyne said: “This has created a lot of interest and tickets are selling well.”
With a number of events, the jazz team is working in collaboration with associate promoters including John Anderson and Rod Paton, both members of Brecon Jazz Club, and Marc Edwards of Friends of Brecon Jazz.
It is also understood that local supporters are bringing the Krukke Band to play at the Festival, with times and details to be advised. Lynne paid tribute to these community-led initiatives and said: “It is great to work in co-operation with them, making for a colourful and participatory jazz weekend overall, and a brilliant contribution to the 2018 Festival.”
Many other venues, from Pilgrims and the Hours to the Tap, The Tower Café, The Bank and Coffee One, are busy booking musicians to entertain visitors to the town as well as jazz followers and local residents – many more will be advertising and putting their posters and information out in the weeks to come.
Roads in Brecon town centre are closed from midday on Friday, August 10, until 10am on Monday, August 13, with business loading allowed from 7am-7pm each day.
For details visit www.breconjazzfestival.co.uk.