Readers of the B&R who enjoy jazz may recall last year’s Festival, when American guitarist Steven Kirby joined a stellar line-up of Welsh musicians to perform not one but three terrific concerts. The link-up went so well that he’s been invited back this year.

Steven, who was raised in California but has family in Brecon and across the UK, was also keen to renew and develop these musical associations. Now based in Boston, he is a professor in the Harmony & Jazz Composition Department at the renowned Berklee College of Music – and will even be tutoring his US students online during his visit here.

What better could Brecon Jazz Club do than to create an introduction for Steven to one of the UK’s leading most admired jazz guitarists – London-based Deirdre Cartwright. A ‘Rock School’ legend familiar to generations of guitarists, she has graced the Brecon Jazz Festival Guildhall stage herself and knows the UK jazz scene inside out - including all its venues and promoters - from years of touring, collaborations and appearances.

Expect sparks: two dazzling guitarists, a special guest in acclaimed musician and jazz promoter John Close, and two outstanding supporting talents - Nick Kacal, the ace on the bass, and fantastic young drummer Ryan Thrupp completing the line-up.

All of this will be at Brecon Jazz Club on Tuesday, October 14 starting at 8pm (doors open at 7:30pm), at the Muse. Tickets are £16 on door, £14 in advance, with young person and 'pay what you can' options available. For tickets, visit: https://breconjazz.org/tickets/

Steven will also be offering a guitar workshop the following day, Wednesday, October 15, at The Muse from 12–2pm. Tickets are £15. He is also available for individual tutoring sessions – for details contact the Jazz Club via email at: [email protected]