Welcome back to the land of jazz - with added blues

Birmingham’s annual Jazz celebration came back with a bang this year; taking on a new Blues element as it entered its second quarter of a century.

In 10 jazz and blues packed days from July 16^th to 25^th, Birmingham and its legions of jazz visitors enjoyed more than 200 performances and events, in 60 venues across the city and beyond, and over 90% of events were absolutely free to the public.

After 25 years, the festival had taken on a significant new blues element this year with performances by internationally renowned blues artists from the USA, Canada, Italy and Germany, as well as a strong UK contingent. Boss of the Blues Chick Willis [Macon, Georgia] headlined, appearing in no less than 10 shows during the festival – as well as holding the sway in a Q&A session in Waterstones Bookstore.

Naturally the jazz fans were not neglected, and welcomed first-time UK appearances from The Village Lizards from Budapest, Drake University Big Band from the USA and Jazz band Velke Losiny from the Czech Republic, as well as many other returning acts.

The swing contingent was headed by King Pleasure & The Biscuit Boys, and included The Fabulous Lounge Swingers (pictured above at the Watersedge bandstand), The Dirty Robbers and The Jive Romeros.

Britain’s Got Talent runner up Julian Smithplayed a special open air concert in the Botanical Gardens, which made a nice footnote to his first Birmingham Jazz Festival performance some 10 years ago, when he played in shopping areas.

Other outdoor events were held at leading tourist destinations throughout the region including visiting Dudley Zoo & Castle, The Black Country Living Museum and Warwick Castle and many more.

More than ever the festival went out onto the streets this year, with performances throughout the City Centre; in bars, cafes, restaurants, stores, hotels, museums and art galleries, and most importantly on the streets of the city. The festival was also set on the move with performances on canals boats, buses and train stations.

Jazz and blues fans also enjoyed a series of talks and interviews called “Hear Me Talking To You”, which will be hosted in Waterstones Bookstore and PMT music store. This was complimented by an interactive photography project, two photographic exhibitions, a daily photo seminar and a vocal workshop – free and open to all – entitled “Everybody Has A Voice”. All of this, combined with a brand new vinyl album release, helped to bring Birmingham to life with the sound of jazz and blues music.