BRECON JAZZ 40th Anniversary: Sun 4th – Sun 18th Aug 2024
Rising stars of the Welsh and UK jazz scene, in collaboration with jazz names and special return visits, plus international artists mark the 41st year of this annual celebration of Jazz in Brecon 2024. DOWNLOAD PROGRAMME HERE>
Two leading names from different genres of the jazz spectrum, Geoff Eales and Eliane Correa, join us in Brecon with special lineups for a return visit and 40th year party this August. Geoff’s performance (Sat 10th August) will showcase a collaboration with two outstanding Welsh instrumentalists, while Eliane brings her UK Cuban quintet to once again light up the stage (Sunday 11th August).
Over the weekend’s programme (9th-11th) these guest artists will rub shoulders with many of Wales best talents: Ursula Harrison and Zach Breskal, Liz Exell, John Close, Tiggy Blackwell, N’famady Kouyaté, Cameron Saint’s 8-piece Mingus Project, Glen Manby, Rachel Starritt, Siglo Section big band, Dionne Bennett, Dick Hamer (Jenny Jones / Jazz Passengers), and also with some of Bristol’s most notable names, Ruth & Scott Hammond, Chris Cobbson & Baraka, Greg Sterling, Andy Hague (on Sunday 4th/Friday 9th August).
Meanwhile, UK rising name Rosie Frater-Taylor brings her Quintet lineup to BJF2024 on the ‘Mindset’ stage (Sunday 11th) and from further afield, US visiting guitarist and Berklee Professor Steven Kirby features in two concerts (9th & 11th), while New York-based vocalist Tatiana Eva-Marie joins a swing Trio to put lyrics to the music of Django Reinhardt in a lunchtime concert (10th August) at Brecon Cathedral.
A very special Saturday evening (10th August) event will present arrangements for jazz by the late Jen Wilson of Dylan Thomas’ 12 Poems – a sextet lineup comprising some of the original performers of the work, with vocals by Margot Morgan and joined by Cris Haines on trumpet, Deborah Glenister on tenor sax, Dave Jones on piano, Paula Gardiner on guitar, Mark O’Connor, drums. (Jen Wilson, pianist, author/researcher and founder of the archive Jazz Heritage Wales). An unmissable concert and display of virtuoso yet accessible musicianship.
The classic Brecon Jazz ‘2nd weekend in August’ closes with the musical triumph that is the Fabulous Red Diesel Band performing on Sunday evening (11th August) at 9.15pm.
Jazz and Film are the themes for the 3rd Festival weekend (17-18th August) where the life and story of pianist Thelonious Monk and ‘the Baroness’ (Nica) is recounted in a film feature, partnered with music ‘of Monk’ from Geoff Eales and bassist Ashley-john Long (Sat 17th August). Saxophonist Julian Costello and his acclaimed ‘Perhaps’ Trio with Natalie Rozario are part of the musical celebration on the BJF2024 final weekend, also performing on Saturday 17th August). On the final Festival date, some of the untold events in the life of musician Django Reinhardt are documented in the first UK showing of the film, ‘Django’, followed by a celebratory performance of ‘hot club’ music from quintet Afternoon in Paris led by Susanna Warren, with Jeremy Young on guitar, and guest Mike Hatchard on piano (Sun 18th).
Check out our programme including outdoors and all venues here. The fabulous ‘Frazz’ Carnival Parade returns from 2.00 – 3.30pm Saturday and will be joined by the spectacular and very large band Wonderbrass, making a welcome return to BJF.
A limited number of Weekend Tickets & Day Passes are available – from afternoon on Friday to Sunday evening. Plus individual concert tickets prices from £13-£20 – ON SALE NOW – Click Here>
TICKETS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FROM: the “Country Kitchen Deli” (Town Centre, off Bulwark), Pegasus Lane, Brecon, LD3 7BH, Contact Anne 01874 611922
TicketSource also have a Telephone Enquiry Service for these shows. If you book this way there will be small fee, but they are able to post out some nice physical tickets . TS Box Office number is 0333 666 3366. DOWNLOAD PRINTED PROGRAMME HERE>
