JazzFest Bulletin – 7th October 2008

JazzFest Bulletin – 7th October 2008

Our good news this week is that the Birmingham International Jazz Festival has been nominated for awards in two categories in the 2008 Festival Awards.

The categories are BEST LINE - UP AWARD and FAMILY FESTIVAL AWARD, but as we are against such heavyweights as Bestival, Reading Festival, Glastonbury, Bloodstock, Download, Guilfest and more, we are not overly optimistic of our chances. On the other hand, we would like to make a good fist of it, so if you wouldn’t mind giving us your support and casting a vote for the festival at www.festivalawards.com we would appreciate that. Everyone who votes goes into a prize draw to win a pair of tickets to every winning festival - and there are 15 categories! If you could vote now that would be great, the festivals with least votes get lopped off on October 13th.

We reckon that the Big Gig for October is the unmissable Festival New Orleans, free (yes, free!) at the 02 in London on October 24th and 25th. Dr. John, Allen Toussaint, Buckwheat Zydeco head a magnificent line-up of the Crescent City’s finest including Rebirth Brass Band, Beau Soleil, Marcia Ball, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, The Anointed Jackson Singers, Apache Hunters, assorted Mardi Gras Indians and much more. Go to www.theo2.co.uk.

The new edition (number 103) of The Jazz Rag is hot off the press, with a Johnny Griffin tribute by Simon Spillett, Alan Barnes and Art Themen, an interview with Pat Halcox, a good look at Ray’s Jazz (now in Foyles), a visit to The Istanbul Jazz Festival, some great photographs from the Birmingham International Jazz Festival, plus news, upcoming events, CD, book and live reviews and competitions. £15.50 (cheque payable to Big Bear Music, sent to Big Bear Music, P.O. Box 944, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B16 8UT) buys you a year’s subscription, that’s 6 editions, or send £2 for a sample copy - includes postage.

Upcoming live gigs include The Toy Hearts (8pm October 10th), Steve Ajao Quartet (8pm 11th), Bank Street Syncopators (1pm 12th), Roy Forbes Trio (8pm 17th), and New Orleans Hotshots (1pm 18th) all at The Public in West Bromwich Town Centre and all free.

The Sunday series at The Kings Head has come to an end - for upcoming information or to exhort them to continue with live jazz call 0121 277 4130.

The ubiquitous Tipitina continue their quest to conquer the known universe with great Nawlins music, appear at Handsworth Golf Club, Birmingham (October 11th), Tamworth Assembly Rooms (17th), Broadway Casino, Five Ways, Birmingham (18th), Old Tramshed, Shipley (23rd), Trustees Hall, Boston Spa (25th) before zooming off to Denmark and Sweden. Enquiries to Carly at 0121 454 7020.

Those Kings of Swing, King Pleasure & the Biscuit Boys are set to hold sway at Met Arms, Bury (October 10th), Maltings Arts Centre, St Albans (17th), Bewdley Festival at Ramada Hotel (18th), Pigalle, London (25th), and Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis (31st). Enquiries to Tim at 0121 454 7020.

The 2008 British Jazz Awards are upon us. The nominations are in, and anybody wishing to vote should request a voting form from admin@bigbearmusic.com or phone 0121 454 7020.

Nothing to do with Jazz, but venerated Jazz Festival venue The Garden House, Hagley Road, Birmingham is holding what promises to be a memorable Beer Festival from Thursday 9th October to Sunday 13th. Dr. Teeth Big Band singer, Steve Steinhaus will launch the event with his exceedingly cool blues and booze poetry and no doubt a tasting of the majority of the 18 beers on offer. £5 ticket includes your first pint. Information from 0121 454 8315.

Have fun.

The Bulletin of the Birmingham International Jazz Festival
info@bigbearmusic.com Phone: 0121 454 7020