Line up revealed for Bristol Jazz Festival

Following two successful festivals, Bristol International Jazz Festival has announced a packed programme for its third year. 

The event, which takes place at Colston Hall on March 6-8, 2015, features the best swing, blues, funk and big band – from major international stars in the main hall to a free foyer programme packed with talent from Bristol and beyond.

Headline act, the American blues legend Dr John, promises to draw a crowd from the country for the final night of the festival with his first visit to Bristol for 12 years. A formidable boogie and blues pianist, his unique blend of bluesy rhythms, Crescent City funk and voodoo flair fused with New Orleans R&B have made him one of the city’s most distinctive musical ambassadors.

Ahead of that final night, there is a wealth of goodies to be had; from Fine Young Cannibals’ Huey Morgan with James Brown’s MD Pee Wee Ellis, a special big band commission presenting cornucopia of Disney film tunes with Cartoon Jazz and a celebration throughout the weekend of one of the fathers of jazz, Louis Armstrong. 

The opening night sees Ray Gelato & His Giants followed by Bruce / Ilett Big Band providing the soundtrack to some eye-popping dance moves from the South West’s swing dancers. On Saturday night Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings – an all-star 9 piece band led by the ex-Rolling Stone himself – will be one of the highlights of the Festival.

There will also be a unique performance in the style of an original Louis Armstrong concert. A 17 piece big band will be joined by New Orleans musicians Lillian Boutté, Evan Christopher and Don Vappie plus a very special secret guest to perform The Louis Armstrong Story, a specially commissioned show featuring Satchmo’s original big band scores, last played in 1947. Actor and musician Clarke Peters (star of The Wire) will narrate excerpts from Armstrong’s autobiography and letters to top off a captivating show that illuminates the genius of Satchmo.

Sitting alongside some of the jazz and blues stalwarts, the programme also offers some of the most exciting young artists on the scene. Slowly Rolling Camera is a new project bringing together some of the leading musicians on the British jazz scene, creating an eclectic sound that has elements of trip-hop and jazz. Vocalist, violinist, songwriter and improviser Alice Zawadzki is a distinctive and individual presence drawing on a rich collection of influences, from New Orleans soul and gospel legends to classical, eastern European and Sephardic. Manchester / London nonet Paradox Ensemble draw on influences as far apart as Gil Evans and electronic artists such as Aphex Twin, to create some highly original music with a serious groove.

A hit in the 2014 programme, Django à la Créole return with their tantalising mix of European gypsy-swing meets the rhythms of “le monde Creole”. Led by New Orleans-based clarinettist Evan Christopher, renowned for his contemporary framing of early jazz masters, his quartet enlivens swing-era classics with the buoyant rhythms of Cuba and Brazil.

In addition to concerts in the main hall and Lantern, the foyer will yet again provide a whistle stop tour of jazz in its many colours including Moonlight Saving Time, Kevin Figes Octet, James Morton, Andy Hague Quintet and Greg Cordez Quintet amongst many more. 

Tickets are now on sale at: www.bristoljazzandbluesfest.co.uk