Jazz on a summer’s day

Our own jazz festival may have happened already but Bristol’s jazz fans can still look forward to a trio of annual treats on the horizon. They include the jazz strand of the Bath International Music Festival (May 15-26, including Hugh Masakela, Mike Westbrook and Orphy Robinson) and the long established Brecon Jazz Festival (August 7- 9, featuring Kenny Barron/Dave Holland, Dr John, Robert Glasper and Norma Winstone among many others). But things get started with the Cheltenham Jazz Festival (Apr 29-May 4), now in its twentieth year and confidently placed as one of the country’s premier jazz showcases. 

Programme advisor Tony Dudley-Evans has been involved in the festival forever, ensuring that it always combines highly accessible mainstream music with cutting edge acts from the wilder frontiers of jazz. He’s a firm believer in bringing all aspects of jazz to the table:

“You need a broad programme – if you can have Van Morrison alongside some ‘out there’ stuff then I’d like to think that some people who come for the popular acts might think of trying something unexpected and might discover something.”

Van the Man is on this year’s bill, alongside Martha Reeves, Rumer, Gregory Porter and the Average White Band, but Tony admits his personal passions lie elsewhere:

“We’ve got some real greats – I’m still in love with the great American jazz tradition so I’m delighted we have (veteran US saxophonists) Joe Lovano and Lee Konitz this year. They’re both people who haven’t just sat back and become so-called legends, they’re still moving forward. Joe’s got his Village Rhythms Afrobeat band and Lee’s in a really interesting new project with (trumpeter) Dave Douglas.” 

He’d been looking forward to the Sun Ra Arkestra, too, but sadly they can’t make the gig. Amazingly – and it probably reflects the festival’s standing in the UK jazz calendar – they manage to get the great US saxophonist Archie Shepp’s quartet as a last minute replacement. Cool or what? But apart from the good old school stuff what’s new this year?

“Well there’s a couple of French bands I’ve been knocked out by – the Surnatural Orchestra, totally anarchic big band and the In Bed With trio who do this clever rock-influenced electric music, Math Rock they call it. Phronesis are performing completely in the dark and (pianist) Kit Downes and others doing this Jazz In A Box thing, five minute pieces performed to an audience of one – very intimate! And there’s the amazing vocalist Elaine Mitchener working with Alex Hawkins in The Edge Project.”

Festival Guest Director Jamie Cullum has had his influence, too, apparently:

“Jamie’s first choice was (improvising organ trio) Medeski Martin and Wood. They haven’t played here before, they’re rare visitors and Jamie will be playing with them. It’s another kind of American tradition, really, and a great choice. We’ve also got Swiss trombonist Samuel Blaser making more improvised music.”

And finally, there’s even a nod to the dance music world:

“Yes, we’ve always put on clubnights and this year we’ve got (DJ) Gilles Petersen – always great – with GoGo Penguin, and then on Sunday we’re going a bit further down the road with Squarepusher. To be honest I’m not really sure what he’s doing but I know it’ll be live, electronic and experimental, with visuals too. I’m looking forward to finding out more!”

Full details of Cheltenham Jazz programme from their website here.