South African Jazz Choir at HJF 2011

Hull Jazz Festival

Now in its 19th year, Hull Jazz Festival (21 July to 31 July) brings some of the biggest names in Jazz to the new world class Hull Truck Theatre, the intimate Pave Café Bar, the atmospheric Fruit Market and the Yum Food Festival with associated events throughout the city.

Hull's 'strengthening jazz festival' (Jazzwise) is among the highlights of the UK jazz summer and brings headline stars from around the world.

Announced for 2011 include Pee Wee Ellis, Fapy Lafertin, the South African Gospel Singers, Jaipur Maharaja Brass Band, Snake Davis, Dennis Rollins, Jenny Smith and the Brasilia Trio, Ariya Astrobeat Arkestra, Al Morrison Blues Experience, Bandiqui, Pave Jazz Jam trio.

www.hullcc.gov.uk | www.jnight.org

See festival gigs in Gig Guide

Rare UK appearance for jazz legend Abdullah Ibrahim

Abdullah Ibrahim, Soweto Kinch, Claire Teal and BBC Big Band for Harrogate Summer Festival

Jazz legend Abdullah Ibrahim will open this year's Harrogate Summer Festival in a rare UK appearance. Other headline acts include Paloma Faith, Clare Teal, Soweto Kinch and the BBC Big Band.

In his only UK date this summer, the legendary Abdullah Ibrahim headlines the jazz programme, alongside one-woman cult singer Paloma Faith, and two of the Festival's guests programmers: award-winning jazz and hip-hop artist Soweto Kinch and singer, BBC Radio 2 presenter and local star, Clare Teal (in a special event presented by Sir Michael Parkinson).

Dates: June 30th - July 31st, 2011

www.harrogate-festival.org.uk

See Gig list

5th Burton Agnes Jazz and Blues Festival 5-7 August

Early bird ticket offer

Burton Agnes Jazz and Blues Festival 5-7 August
Early bird tickets available until June 30th for Burton Agnes Jazz and Blues Festival. The 5th annual Burton Agnes Jazz and Blues festival held over three days in August, with performances in the Elizabethan Hall and its beautiful grounds, are where you can experience the diverse range of laid-back entertainment that inspired The Independent to write that the 2007 Festival was 'Possibly the most enjoyable jazz concert I've ever attended'.

The large stage on the Main Lawn in the Hall's award-winning grounds is where you'll see this years Jazz and Blues Festival main acts including the award winning Claire Martin, one of the UK's most sought-after artists Jacqui Dankworth, Zoe Gilby Quintet, the fresh and exciting Oli Brown, Nicola Farnon, Joel Purnell and Matt Smith to name but a few.

Burton Agnes Hall, Burton Agnes, East Yorkshire, YO25 4NB

www.burtonagnes.com

   
Taking jazz out into rural communities

New Rural Touring Scheme for Jazz

Jazz Services with the National Rural Touring Forum is developing a rural touring scheme along the lines of the National Touring Support Scheme.

The JSL Rural Touring Support Scheme is designed to promote musicians and bands of merit not readily promoted by the commercial sector and other agencies and to maximise attendance at these events and reflect Jazz Services equal opportunities policy. The policy is mainly geared to small groups and covers the full range of jazz music, idioms and styles. Jazz Services is working in partnership with the National Rural Touring Forum.

Bands are asked to submit a budget to give the Touring Panel an idea of the likely cost. Selected bands will be showcased. Fees and expenses for the tour and the showcase will be met by the promoters and Jazz Services. Applications to the scheme may be made by musicians/bandleaders or on their behalf by their agents, managers, promoters, Regional Jazz Organisations or other representatives. The scheme is open to any genre of jazz. The scheme is not open to people in full-time education. Agents/Managers should be clearly indicated and their role explained in helping the musicians and bands.

The band must be available for showcasing at the Rural Touring Forum Conference between 12th and 13th July 2011. The touring will take place before 31st May 2012

• The deadline for applications is Friday 10th June 2011 at 5pm

More information at:www.jazzservices.org.uk

Scarborough Jazz Festival nominated for APPJAG Award 2011

Scarborough Jazz Festival nominated for national jazz award

Scarborough Jazz Festival has been nominated for Jazz Promoter of the Year in the All Party Parliamentary Jazz Appreciation Group Awards 2011. This year's festival will be held on 23-25 September at the magnificent Spa Complex on the Esplanade. There's a French flavour to this year's festival with the Orchestra National de France, Jacque Loussier Trio and the Hadouk Trio on the bill.

Other confirmations: Liz Fletcher sings 'Liz', Mark Nightingale Quintet, Gilad Atzmon and the Orient House Ensemble,National Youth Jazz Orchestra, Jacque Loussier Trio, Andreas Varady Quartet, Christine Tobin Quartet, Tommy Evans Orchestra, Alan Barnes and William Ellis. Jazz Yorkshire Futures musicians: The Matt Anderson Quartet and Yoruba (Aron Kyne) playing on the Sunday.

www.scarboroughjazzfestival.co.uk

Jazz Radio from Bradford

Martin Powell is the new presenter of the monthly JazzScene show which is broadcast on BCB Radio, Braford (BCB106.6fm). Now you can listen to Martin's show at your leisure via a podcast which you can play from http://jazzscene.podomatic.com or the player above. Martin would like to hear from any musicians who would like to submit their music for consideration for the show.

Martin say "I will be playing a range of tracks from my expanding collection amongst which there is a generous proportion of 'rising stars' - so much so in fact that I've near enough left my hobby horse in the grumpy stables. It's all cracking stuff though".

Martin is one of the organisers of volunteer jazz promoters JATPjazz who run a popular monthly Friday night gig in Bradford.

If you'd like to make a request, dedication or submit a CD contact Martin via martin.powellATbcbradio.co.uk (replace AT with @).

Eh Joe for F-ire Label release

'Eh Joe' led by Leeds based vocalist Mila Dores will have their debut CD released on the F-ire label this Autumn. The recording was made as part of Mila's participation in the Jazz Yorkshire Futures Scheme.

'Eh Joe' is an innovative and eclectic jazz quartet that goes way beyond the idiomatic boundaries of vocal jazz. Mila is currently on her second year on Jazz Yorkshire's Futures Scheme. The band say that the album "will take you on a journey through hypnotic themes and musical landscapes of beautiful musical poetry, to the rhythmic strength of gospel songs, tango, fado and improvised pieces based on the texts of Samuel Beckett". With Mila are Rus Pearson - double bass, Sam Barrett - piano and Joost Hendrickx - drums.

www.myspace.com/miladores

A young Mike Gibbs in action

Leeds International Jazz Conference 2011

Thursday 7 & Friday 8 April 2011

Launched in 1993, the annual Leeds International Jazz Conference is the leading performance and research-based event of its kind in Europe. This year's theme is 'Time Captured - Jazz Composition, Composing and Composers'.

The event welcomes delegates from around the world to participate in a series of cross-disciplinary presentations, performances, workshops and discussion groups and provides opportunities for Leeds College of Music students to showcase their work.

Keynote speakers will be Mike Gibbs, distinguished composer, arranger and trombonist and Tony Whyton Reader in Music within the School of Media, Music and Performance at Salford University. His first book, Jazz Icons: Heroes, Myths and the Jazz Tradition was published by Cambridge University Press in 2010, and hot on its heels is a second book Beyond A Love Supreme (Oxford University Press).

http://www.lcm.ac.uk.../leeds-international-jazz-conference.htm

Jazz Awards Trailer

In December a video production crew from Savile Studios came to the Jazz Awards at Dean Clough, Halifax. This short trailer captures highlights from the evening including interviews with a selection of the awards winners (plus a mention about Jazz Yorkshire and our activities).

jazzyorkshire/awards

Harrogate Youth Jazz Orchestra

Jazz Jamboree postponed

We are postponing the February Jazz Jamboree as a number of the youth bands are not now able to attend. We are aiming to reschedule for later in the year. Read more...

Stakeholder consultation report

Your views about jazz in this region

During the Autumn of 2010 the board of directors undertook a strategic review of how best to support and develop the various stakeholder groups that make up the regions jazz scene. Prior to the review we asked you to contribute your views via an online survey. You can now download a report of the survey which includes a list of priorities agreed at our strategy meeting in September.

The board of directors met in early December and reviewed the priority list of activities. We are currently preparing a proposal to submit to Arts Council England's new National Portfolio Funding Programme.

Download our Stakeholder consultation report 2010 PDF 64kb

James Hamilton wins British Composer 2010 Award

Leeds based James Hamilton has won the Contemporary Jazz Composition award in the British Composer Awards 2010 for his "The Causeway Suite". James was nominated for the award by Martin Coultas on behalf of Jazz Yorkshire. James, who is an alumni of Leeds College of Music, was supported by Jazz Yorkshire when recording his composition at The Venue, Leeds Music College. The James Hamilton Orchestra features a wealth of musicians from the Leeds scene.

The judges commented "This is so much more than skill and technique by a composer with energy and talent". James is also on the shortlist two categories in the Jazz Yorkshire Awards 2010.

Extracts from the awards event including James and an extract from "The Causeway suite" can be listened to on the BBC iPlayer (skip to 40 minutes)

• Performance on 3 1/12/10 BBC iPlayer
• jameshamiltonjazzorchestra.bandcamp.com
• www.britishcomposerawards.com

JHJO live at Seven Jazz

Savile & Chrome have relaunched the Leeds Media Centre studios

New recording opportunity for musicians / bands

Jazz Yorkshire, working in partnership with Savile & Chrome Studios, is now inviting new applications from musicians and band leaders for the latest edition of the 'Demo in a day' recording scheme. Successful applicants to 'Demo in a day' will receive one full day in the Savile & Chrome recording studio, with an engineer, free of charge. Read more...

Visit the project blog at demoinaday.blogspot.com.

Singers at a Jazz Yorkshire supported workshop at Howden Live pose for the local press. Opportunities like this could become increasingly rare.

You can cut us but don't kill us say the UK's cultural leaders

Date: 15 July 2010, Arts Council England
"Today, many of the leaders of Britain's most prominent cultural institutions - speaking on behalf of organisations across the whole country - appealed directly to the Prime Minister not to cause irreparable damage to our most economically successful sector in the imminent Spending Review.

They argue that while the cultural sector is willing to play its part in the country's economic recovery with realistic cuts, the 25 per cent to 40 per cent cuts being proposed would be catastrophic as they come on top of 3.5 per cent cuts this year as well as the cultural sector's £322 million contribution to the costs of the Olympics." Read complete article -> www.artscouncil.org.uk/news

DYJO Swing Band

christmas BIG BAND FESTIVAL 2010

Christmas can be a quiet time for jazz but not in Doncaster where the Doncaster Youth Jazz Association are presenting a Big Band Festival on Wednesday 29th December 2010.

Gig guide page | www.dyja.info

Help get more jazz on BBC Radio

Now the BBC want your views

The BBC Trust want to hear what you think about BBC Radio 3, BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 7 . Following on from the Jazz Services campaign for more jazz it is our chance to tell the BBC that we want to hear more jazz on the radio - especially programmes which commission UK musicians to play. This is an online consultation which closes on 26 August 2010.

www.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/consultations

Abram Wilson plays Hull Jazz Festival

Hull Jazz Festival 2010

Sunday 11 July to Sunday 18 July

Now in its 18th year, Hull Jazz Festival brings some of the biggest names in jazz to the new world-class Hull Truck Theatre, plus a jazz summer school and associated events at venues throughout the city. Festival saver tickets are available which offer huge reductions on standard pricing.

See Gig Guide | Hull Jazz Festival website

Stephane Kerecki

UK jazz debut shared between London and Dean Clough, Halifax Thur June 17

International trio and leading US sax player plays Dean Street... and Dean Clough on Thursday 17 June. Stephane Kerecki Trio + Tony Malaby. "A synthesis of African dance/trance rhythms and modern jazz and classical harmonies, a synthesis so subtle and symbiotic that to call it fusion would be to insult it" - All About Jazz

A foray into French jazz. Bassist Kerecki has played with some of the biggest names on the continent and been named as one of the '125 talents of tomorrow' by Jazzman magazine. Drummer Thomas Grimmonprez is barely less conspicuous for his own projects, while saxophonist Matthieu Donarier has the unenviable task of matching Tony Malaby: a virtuosic sax player from Arizona with a near-legendary status among jazz cognoscenti. Rhythmic, filmic and gloriously spikey.

Tickets: £15 / £12 Tel: 01422 255266 Crossley Gallery, Dean Clough, Halifax, HX3 5AX

Online booking: www.deanclough.com

CD review: www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=35697

ticket offer - save £2

Home of the Brave
7 Arts, Leeds, 30 / 31 May 2010

Home of the Brave take the music of great Western film composers like Morricone, Elmer Bernstein and Steiner and blend it with a healthy mix of jazz, blues and free improvisation.

Led by saxophonist Richard Ormrod and featuring the inimitable Paul Hession on drums, Rus Pearson on bass and guitarist Jonny Flockton these four Leeds based musicians are recording their debut album for Jellymould Jazz this coming weekend. The band was selected from 40+ bands and musicians who applied to Jazz Yorkshire for the opportunity to work with Jellymould Jazz.

Dom Sales of Jellymould says "Their music is great fun, is suitable for children (and adults) and makes audiences laugh, cry, stomp and shout. You will know almost all of the themes they play but will never have heard anything like these thrilling, heart-warming arrangements".

Tickets available on the door. If you quote Jazz Yorkshire when buying your ticket you will receive £2.00 off the ticket price. Sunday 30th & Monday 31st May. 8pm. Tickets £10/8 £8/6 quoting Jazz Yorkshire

gig guide | gig flyer

www.jellymouldjazz.net

Guitarist and Jazz Educator Kathy Dyson

Kathy Dyson wins UK jazz educator award

Dr Kathy Dyson, Senior Lecturer in Jazz at Leeds College of Music, has received the jazz educator award from the All-Party Parliamentary Jazz Appreciation Group at the annual Parliamentary Jazz Awards the group organises in association with music industry body PPL. A jazz guitarist, Kathy performs regularly with alto saxophonist John Dyson and, of late, with Deirdre Cartwright in Remembering Emily Remler, a tribute to the late guitarist.

www.lcm.ac.uk/...kathy-dyson

www.myspace.com/theboptet Kathy and John's band website

Support Jazz Services Media Campaign

Join Jazz Services Campaign for more jazz on BBC

In association with JazzUK magazine, Jazz Services has launched a campaign to get more jazz broadcast on UK radio, in response to the BBC's recent consultation. The Campaign follows Professor Stuart Nicholson's report 'The BBC - Jazz, Policy and Structure in the Digital Age (available on Jazz Services website). This highlighted that the coverage of jazz in the UK was poor compared to leading European broadcasters.

You can add your name to the campaign online on the Jazz Services website (petition closes 20 May 2010).

www.jazzservices.org.uk/...JazzOffAir

Jazz in The Spa, Boston Spa

'Jazz in the Spa' is now featured on a new community networking website www.ispitv.com. The team behind Jazz in The Spa, Tim Mallinson and Les Brown have been organising regular Saturday sessions since the autumn of 1987. Today Jazz in the Spa has national recognition as a first class venue with what is in their words "the most appreciative and supportive audience in the UK". The video was taken at a recent session with solists Karen Sharp, Tommy Whittle and Roy Williams with Yorkshire rhythm section Ken Marley (double bass) and John Perry (drums).

www.jazzinthespa.com

ispitv.com/...jazz-in-the-spa-boston-spa