THE BULLETIN OF THE BIRMINGHAM INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL

LAST CHANCE TO VOTE IN BRITISH JAZZ AWARDS

Just a few days to cut-off date in the voting for the 2008 British Jazz Awards.

Cast your vote by filling in and returning the attached form by post or email, or visiting www.on-line-voting.co.uk/awards.html to vote online for your favourite British Jazz Musicians - but do so by Monday 17th November. 2008 sees the 20th year of the Jazz Oscars, as they are fondly-known, the most important awards available to this country’s jazz fraternity. If you have enjoyed some fine British Jazz Musicians over the last 12 months, then here’s your opportunity to acknowledge our homegrown, but world class, talent.

Live gigs are a bit thin on the ground right now, but its well worth tripping out to that Arts-Centre-of-ill-repute, The Public, in the Town Centre of West Bromwich for their free shows, well-presented in a good atmosphere with a great soundsystem. Look out for California’s Tom Hill Band (November 14th), rock star Trevor Burton Band (15th), the utterly stunningly quirky Steve Pacitto with his all-star combo - don’t miss this!! (16th), a blues jam session (22nd), The New Orleans Hotshots (23rd) Doctor Harp Blues Band (29th) and Martinique Jazz Band (30th). Fridays and Saturdays are from 8pm. Sundays are 1pm - all these sessions are free.

The ubiquitous Tipitina, in between visits to Denmark, Sweden and Norway can be seen in Birmingham at Waters Edge in Brindley Place (12noon on 29th) and Ha Ha Bar & Grill (2pm on 30th). Admission free to both.

The irrepressible King Pleasure & the Biscuit Boys appear at their home-from-home, the 100 Club in Oxford Street, London (29th at 8pm).

First bookings for the 2009 Birmingham International Jazz Festival will be announced in December, but we can tell you in advance that comeback kids from 2008 The Bourbon Street Stompers from Germany and Cornwall’s Jazz Karaoke Queen Becky Brine have already inked contracts. The surprise announcement is that the heavily tipped emergent gypsy guitar talent Nomy Rosenberg Trio will make their first UK performances at the Festival. Nomy is a direct relative of Django Reinhardt, performed with George Benson at a sold-out Carnegie Hall in New York when he was only 14. Younger brother of the ill-starred but wondrous Jimmy Rosenberg, in whose band he featured during his formative years, Nomy plays in the traditional Django Reinhardt style and is reputably the jazz guitar star of the Sinti Gypsy Community.



Nomy Rosenberg

The 25th Birmingham International Jazz Festival takes place from July 3rd to 12th.

For more information, contact
Big Bear Records, PO Box 944, Birmingham B16 8UT
Tel: 0121 454 7020 Fax: 0121 454 9996
Email: agency@bigbearmusic.com www.bigbearmusic.com

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

JAZZ FANS UPDATE

HUMPH

Here’s an unmissable date for your diary - Friday 9th September at 9pm on BBC4,
‘Legend - Humphrey Lyttelton: The Jazz Musicians’ Musician’.

Programme link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00ddwcy

JAZZ & BLUES IN WEST BROMWICH

The somewhat controversial Public in West Bromwich Town Centre is proving to be an extremely popular Friday and Saturday destination venue for jazz and blues. All performances are free to the public, there is adjacent, plentiful and free car parking, it’s easy to find (smack dab in the Town Centre) and there is a bar with food available. The Public have just announced their October programme, so here are the upcoming dates in their entirety. The Richard Hughes Trio (12th September), Kel Elliott (13th), Tom Hill Trio (19th), Lexie Stobie Band (20th), Djangology (26th), Adam Phillips Trio (27th), Tipitina (3rd October), The T-Bones (4th), Toy Hearts (10th), Steve Ajao (11th), Roy Forbes Trio (17th), Rhythm & Blues Legends (18th), Steve Steinhaus Swing Quartet (24th), David Moore Blues Band (25th), Mike Burney Quartet (31st).

FREE SUNDAY JAZZ

The Kings Head stands on The Hagley Road in Bearwood. Newly refurbished, and returned to its original name, The Kings Head is one of Birmingham’s great pubs - spacious, big car park, good beers and food - and now a series of free Sunday music performances. Look out for Kel Elliott Band (September 14th) Becky Brine Rhythm Boys (21st) Tipitina (28th) Steve Steinhaus Swing Quartet (October 5th). It’s a 5pm start.

HA HA HOSTS JAZZ

Django Reinhardt-styled Swing Museum are new to Birmingham, but already building a good following with their two guitars, violin and double bass line-up. They are set to feature on the monthly jazz presentation at The Ha Ha Bar & Grill in The Mailbox on Sunday 28th September. Starting time is 2pm and it is free.

JAZZ WELCOME FOR TORY PARTY

Set to coincide with the Conservative Party Conference taking place in Birmingham, The Bandstand on Brindleyplace, off Broad Street presents Steve Steinhaus Swing Quartet (Sunday 28th September 3pm) Kel Elliott Band (Monday 29th 5pm) and Roy Forbes Quartet (Tuesday 30th 5pm). Admission is free and there’s a grand selection of adjacent bars and cafes.

TIPTITINA

Here are a couple of West Midlands shows set for the ubiquitous New Orleans - styled, gospel-tinged, blues, jazz, boogie and barrelhouse outfit Tipitina. See them at The International Festival of Glass at Ruskin Glass Centre, Wollaston Road in Stourbridge (September 27th 6pm) The Kings Head, Hagley Road (28th 5pm) The Caz Bar in Stratford-Upon-Avon (29th 8pm). Other September dates include Rosehill Theatre, Whitehaven (18th) The Tollbooth, Stirling (19th) Wilmslow Conservative Club (22nd) Saracens Head, Ormskirk (24th) and Old Tramshed, Bingley (25th).

Ha Ha Bar & Grill Offer

Dear Sir/Madam

We at haha understand the complexity of organising a Christmas party for a large group of people and the uncertainty that comes with making this important decision based on menu descriptions. Therefore we are taking the proverbial ‘bull by the horns’ and doing everything in our power to make this process easier for you.

So we are proud to announce our Christmas Taster sessions on 17th September and 15th October from 6pm onwards.

We are running two sessions where we will be showcasing all the food that we are offering on our Christmas Set and Buffet menus. We will also be showcasing the wines that we are offering on a ‘buy 5 get the 6th for free’ offer, as well as various sources of entertainment which may help to make this years Christmas do go down in the history books.

We can also offer various other services utilising our in house skilled team, such as tailor making a cocktail or list of cocktails to represent your company, producing awards certificates for your categories ( i.e. best dancer, biggest soap addict, best tea maker, best Monday morning story……..) or a full red carpet, champagne reception.

On hand throughout the sessions will be a team of staff with and extensive knowledge of the products we are offering, as well as our Christmas co-ordinators ready to take your bookings.

If you book before the 30th September then you will be entitled a free bottle of Fortant Cabernet Sauvignon or Sauvignon Blanc.

All that we ask for you to be able to take advantage of this great offer is to simply telephone or email to let us know you are coming. This way we can ensure that we have enough food prepared to cater for everyone.

We look forward to your RSVP and enabling you relieve the stress associated with this time of year.

All the best

Joseph Gallagher
(Christmas Co-ordinator)


£5.00 lunch offer now available
Monday to Friday 11am to 5pm

2 for 1 Cocktails Monday to Thursday
5pm to 7pm

Steven Bould General Manager
Joseph Gallagher Deputy Manager
Steve Perrin Head Chef
Penny Wakeman Restaurant Supervisor
Matt Burke Bar Supervisor

Ha Ha Bar & Grill
178-180 Wharfside street
The Mailbox
Birmingham
B1 1RN
0121 632 1250

Email: haha.birmingham@bayrestaurantgroup.com
Website: www.hahaonline.co.uk

DIARY NOTE FOR JAZZ GIG - GOERS

DIARY NOTE FOR JAZZ GIG - GOERS

This Friday, September 5th, 8pm at Artrix, School Drive, Bromsgrove, Worcs, B60 1AX,
Digby Fairweather and Val Wiseman present their entertaining Jazz Goes To The Movies concert where they perform some great tunes from jazz biopics in the company of Julian Marc Stringle, Geoff Gower, Craig Milverton, Len Skeat and Bobby Worth.
Box Office: 01527 577330

Over at The Public in West Bromwich Town Centre, The Delta Diva, Suzahn Fiering from Nashville, Tennessee plays from 8pm to 11pm on Friday 5th and rockabilly specialists The Toy Hearts do similarly on Saturday 6th - admission is free. Looking ahead at The Public, you can hear Richard Hughes Trio (12th) Kel Elliott Band (13th) Tom Hill Trio (19th), Lexie Stobie Band (20th) Djangology (26th), Adam Phillips Trio (27th).

Free 5pm Sunday sessions at The Kings Head on the Hagley Road in Bearwood kick off with Kel Elliott Band (14th), Becky Brine Rhythm Boys (21st), Tipitina (28th), and Steve Steinhaus Swing Quartet (October 5th). If these are successful, then the management promise a regular Sunday slot for live music.

The very interesting Caz Bar in Union Street in Stratford-Upon-Avon had such a good time with Tipitina in August, that they have decided to do it again on Monday 29th September from 8pm to 11pm and admission is free.

The October edition of The Jazz Rag magazine will be issued on September 25th and include a piece on the Birmingham International Jazz Festival. The Jazz Rag is a 36 page A4 magazine and a great read. Normally priced at £2.75 a copy, you can have a sample copy just by sending an A4 size self addressed envelope with a 69 pence stamp to:

THE JAZZ RAG
P.O. BOX 944
EDGBASTON
B16 8UT

Upcoming Jazz, Blues and Swing dates.

Upcoming Jazz, Blues and Swing dates.

AS ONE DOOR CLOSE: ANOTHER SLAMS IN YOUR FACE.

But not this time.

As the regular Sunday 7pm free session at Bar Risa on Broad Street approach the end of their run, news is breaking of an almost direct replacement which is set to run initially, on a four week trial period.

So if you want to help preserve regular live Sunday Jazz & Blues in this City, then show your support by getting out and going there.

The last two Sundays at Bar Risa feature Leamington Spa-based Adam Phillips Trio (August 24th) and the Steve Steinhaus Swing Quartet (31st).

A few bus stops up the Hagley Road to Bearwood, the extremely comfortable Kings Head will present Kel Elliott Band (September 14th), Becky Brine Rhythm Boys (21st), Tipitina (28th), Steve Steinhaus Swing Quartet (October 5th). Again, show-time is 7pm and admission is free.

The Public, in the town centre of West Bromwich is much nearer than you may think, and they continue with their Friday and Saturday 8pm free admission sessions with Tipitina (22nd), Steve Ajao Band (23rd), Northampton’s Reinhardt devotees Swing Museum (29th) and the David Moore Blues Band (30th) just back from their debut shows in the Czech Republic.

Going into September at The Public, the attractions are the Nashville songbird, Dixie Diva Suzahn Fiering (September 5th), blue-grass specialists The Toy Hearts (6th) and Richard Hughes Trio (12th).

New Rock and Blues venue The Asylum (41 Hampton Street, Hockley, Birmingham, B19 3LS 0121 233 1109 for details) present one of the finest new Blues acts around, Matt Schofield, on Saturday 20th September.

The Touchwood Centre continues with its free Summer Series – despite the weather- on Wednesdays at 5.30pm and on Sundays at 2.30pm. When its fine, the shows take place in Jubilee Garden, when not they move to The Map Room. London based all girl blues band The Rogue Dolls feature (24th) followed by the classic jazz of Martinique Jazz Band (27th) and Tipitina (31st).

The Merry Hill Shopping Centre feature Tipitina at 7pm on Friday 24th August. Then the band then play La Tasca at Star City at 12:00 midday and at Arcadian Centre in Hurst Street on Saturday 30th and the Caz Bar in Stratford-Upon-Avon presents a free 8pm show on Bank Holiday Monday (August 31st).

Looking ahead, tickets have just gone on sale for the annual Birmingham Christmas performance for King Pleasure & the Biscuit Boys on Sunday 14th December at The Crescent Theatre in Brindley Place.

Upcoming Jazz

Our upcoming local gigs for the rest of this month include:

Bar Risa: Bar Risa are finishing their weekly free Sunday sessions which have run for the past two years. The last bands to appear will be New Orleans Blues and boogie band Tipitina [August 17th], young girl blues singer Lexie Stobie with her Band [24th] and Chicagoan jive singer Steve Steinhaus with his Swing Quartet [31st]. The sessions start at 7pm and admission is free.

The Touchwood Centre in Solihull has presented jazz and blues attractions throughout what we laughingly refer to as The Summer. Upcomers are Leamington Spa-based jazz, blues and gospel Kel Elliott Band [Sunday August 17th], newest signings to the Acid Jazz label The Elements [Wednesday 20th August], all-girl, London-based blues band The Rogue Dolls [Sunday 24th August], traditional jazz band from Wolverhampton Martinique Jazz Band [Wednesday 27th August] and young New Orleans Jazz, blues and boogie band from Preston, Tipitina [Sunday 31st August]. Sunday shows start at 2:30 pm and Wednesday Performances at 5:30pm. Admission is free.

New West Bromwich arts centre The Public is hosting regular jazz and blues sessions through to Christmas. August continues with Tipitina [Friday 22nd], local blues and jazz guitarist, alto sax player and singer Steve Ajao [Saturday 23rd], young Django Reinhardt-inspired Rugby combo Swing Museum [Friday 29th] and David Moore Blues Band [Saturday 30th]. Sessions start at 8pm and are free admission.

Post Jazz Festival

Just as it should, the Jazz Festival leaves an immediate legacy in the form of ongoing jazz and blues events. Some are new ventures, with venue owners inspired by the attendances at festival events; others are ongoing programmes, freshly rejuvenated by their jazz festival involvement.

We’ve all read the somewhat mixed reports on the multi-million pound arts project in West Bromwich, The Public. They have been running twice – weekly blues and jazz shows since the festival – look out for bluesers The T-Bones (Saturday 9th August, 8pm) and Chicago swing singer Bobby Woods (Sunday 10th, 1pm). If you haven’t been to The Public yet, this is a great opportunity to get a close-up of this extremely controversial operation. It is close to the West Bromwich Bus Station – just go to the Town Centre and look up. It’s un-missable. Massive, shoebox-shaped, black with pink edging. Don’t read anything into the bar’s name – The Pink Tank. Admission is free.

In Birmingham, Sunday evenings at Bar Risa on Broad Street continue apace. For no admission fee you can enjoy regular jazz and blues every Sunday from 7pm – 9.30pm.
Impressive newcomers to the jazz fest Kel Elliott Band play Sunday 3rd August with The T – Bones (10th), Tipitina (17th) and Lexie Stobie (24th). Showtime is 7pm.

Over in Solihull there’s a string of shows in the Touchwood Centre, Solihull:
Blues giant Ian Parker with his band (July 30th 5.30pm), King of Rhythm and Blues, Big Joe Pleasure (August 3rd 2.30pm), The regions finest David Moore Blues Band (6th 5.30pm), rockabilly special with Dirty Robbers (10th 2.30pm), hillbilly jive with The Toy Hearts (13th 5.30pm), sensational new Kel Elliott Band (17th 2.30pm), ace pub-rockers The Elements (20th 5.30pm), all-girl blues band with bite The Rogue Dolls (24th 2.30pm), the trad jazz of Martinique Jazz Band (27th 5.30pm), and Tipitina bringing the spirit and soul of New Orleans to Solihull (31st 2.30pm).

And again, all the Shows are free.

A Few More Programme Adjustments

Hi All, I hope you've all managed to catch a little it of the jazz festival, which has just reached its midway point.
Below are a few adjustments and late additions to the programme:

THURSDAY 10TH JULY
12:00 Pitcher & Piano - Django's Castle (SPAIN)
16:00 House of Fraser - Suzahn Fiering (U.S.A.)
19:30 Old Orleans - Suzahn Fiering - (U.S.A.)
20:30 Wine Republic - Becky Brine Rhythm Boys

FRIDAY 11TH JULY
18:00 The Arcadian Centre - Tipitina
19:00 Old Orleans - Bobby Woods

SATURDAY 12TH
13:00 La Tasca, Star City - Tipitina

Make sure, if you haven't already, to check out a little of the jazz festival, it's the best yet!

Let the Jazz Begin

The breakfast launch was today at 8am, the crowd was full of dignitaries such as the Lord Mayor, the venue - Wine Republic, was a wonderful place to start this year's festival.

Speeches came from City Leader Mike Whitby, new festival Patron Digby Fairweather and Lord Mayor Chauhdry Rashid, all of whom spoke passionately and were lovely to talk to over some orange juice and croissants.

Dixieland Crackerjacks played outside to the morning crowd at Centenary Square and Tipitina did a fantastic set inside. If you do get a chance to see the Crackerjacks or Tipitina in the small unique venues that this festival offers, don't pass on the opportunity.

Just a reminder, Debbie Jones, frontwoman of Tipitina is holding two choirworkshops tommorow.
12pm, St-Martin's-in-the-Bullring, free
5pm, Atrix, Bromsgrove, £4/£5

A World of Jazz in One Mile

Imagine travelling over 6 countries in the space of one night. Tiring work, isn’t it? But it is possible, only at this year’s Birmingham International Jazz Festival.

Take, for instance, Wednesday 9 July where you could start your evening at 6.30pm in the Copthorne Hotel in Paradise Circus, have a drink in the bar and listen to Canada’s Katya Gorrie. Then hop in a cab and hot foot it over to The Duck on the Hagley Road where from 7pm Spanish band Django’s Castle takes the stand.

It takes just three minutes to walk to the opposite side of the road and into the Lychee Garden, where you might want to sample the delicious cuisine and catch up with our very own Becky Brine. Two minutes walk from the Lychee Garden and you’re in the USA, where Synthesis Big Band will be performing at the Strathallan Hotel.

When you have had your fill, jump on a bus and make your way back towards the City Centre to the Broad Street area where you will find Walkabout: the Australians are in town in the form of Michael McQuaid’s Red Hot Rhythmakers who are on from 8pm. Almost next door you will find The Living Room; here Suzahn Fiering from the USA will be providing entertainment also at 8pm.

The following evening you could do the same again, starting in the Slug and Lettuce, or should that be the Spider and Eucalyptus seeing as Australian band Michael McQuaid’s Red Hot Rhythmakers are playing once again, only this time at 7pm.

Jump on the bus heading towards the Hagley Road, getting off at The Garden House for an American feel with the Greg Abate Quartet who are performing there at 7.30pm. Back on that bus, or a taxi, if you’re feeling flash, head towards Broad Street and don those lederhosen because at 8pm German band, Bourbon Street Stompers are going to be in fine form at The Brasshouse.

Just down the road from The Brasshouse we enter Wine REPublic and a Hungarian feel where the Budapest Ragtime Band are entertaining that night at 8pm. Or if you fancy a bit more American Jazz, then Aaron Weinstein is playing at The Living Room.

So for trips that would take you between 15,000 and 20,000 miles, multiple time zones, a few days and a lot of money, you could do it in under a mile, on one or even two nights, and best of all, you only have to pay for your drinks!

Humph and Digby

With the passing of Jazz Festival Patron of the last 23 years, Humphrey Lyttelton, the festival has appointed a new patron, cornet player, bandleader, broadcaster, journalist, author and all round jazz expert Digby Fairweather.

Throughout the Festival we will be remembering Humphrey Lyttelton. Many of the country’s finest musicians have passed through the Lyttelton band in its astonishing 60 year life and, of course, a number of those will be playing at this year’s festival. Respected Lyttelton alumni will be paying tribute in music and through interviews after their performances.

The Festival is also holding two special events to commemorate Humphrey;

Digby at Borders
Borders Bookshop in the Bull Ring will be holding a tribute to Humphrey Lyttelton, and George Melly, another Jazz Festival legend who passed recently. From 4.00 pm to 5.00 pm on Saturday July 5th Digby Fairweather will talk informally about Humph and George, illustrated by recordings of their music. Both Humph and George were highly entertaining and well regarded authors – and pretty prolific, too, considering their assorted other careers – and their books will be available at Borders, as well as Digby’s striking memoir of George’s last months ‘On the Road with George Melly’ which Digby will be signing.

Musicians’ Union Jam Session: Tribute to Humph
This year’s Musicians Union Jam Session at the Wine REPublic on Tuesday July 8th is headed by Digby Fairweather and Chris Walker. Dedicated to Humphrey Lyttelton, the Jam Session will not only feature a quintet fronted by Digby and Chris, but special guest musicians paying their own tribute.

7 days to go...

The Festival is only a week away so we want to hear what you are most looking forward. Is there a band you can't wait to see again, a venue you've always wanted to try out or can you simply not wait for the atmosphere and great music the festival provides. Post your ideas as a comment here or drop us an email at admin@bigbearmusic subject 'blog' and we'll post the best ones on the web site during the festival.
Hope to hear from you soon.

More Jazz Per Square inch than New Orleans

In order for visitors to the Birmingham Internation Jazz Festival to get a taste of the widest range of jazz, Marketing Birmingham has put together some suggestions for a fantastic evening of entertainment.

On Wednesday 9 July you could start your evening at 6.30pm in the Copthorne Hotel in Paradise Circus, where you can have a drink in the bar and listen to Canada’s Katya Gorrie. Then hop in a cab and hot foot it over to The Duck on Hagley Road where from 7pm Spain’s Django’s Castle takes the stand.

Just a three minute walk to the opposite side of the road and into the Lychee Garden, you might want to sample the delicious cuisine and catch up with the fabulous Becky Brine. Two minutes walk from the Lychee Garden, all the way from the USA, Synthesis Big Band will be performing at the Strathallan Hotel.

When you have had your fill, jump on a bus and make your way back towards the city centre to the Broad Street area where you will find The Living Room; here Suzahn Fiering from the USA will be providing entertainment from 8pm. Almost next door at Walkabout the Australians are in town in the form of Michael McQuaid’s Red Hot Rhythmakers. What an evening!

All but the first show take place in straight line - less than a kilometre in length, with each band playing for 2 hours, so it’s possible to hear them all, have a drink or two and a bite to eat.

Programme Changes

Hi Jazz Fans

We’ve had to make some alterations to our festival programme. The downside is, of course, these are too late for the official programme.
However, they will be on the website programme very soon. The upside is that we have two great new venues, Old Orleans on Broad Street, La Tasca at Star City and Emirates Beach at Chamberlain Square.

You’ll also get to hear a lot more of Hungary’s Budapest Ragtime Band and USA’s Suzahn Fiering.

Here are the changes in full.

Saturday 5th July
DELETE 20.30 Queens Arms, Dixieland Crackerjacks (the Netherlands)
ADD 19.00 Old Orleans, Dixieland Crackerjacks (the Netherlands)

Sunday 6th July
ADD 15.00 The Bartons Arms, Indigo Blues Band

Thursday 10th July
TIME CHANGE, NOW 16.00 House of Fraser, Suzahn Fiering (USA)
ADD 19.30 Old Orleans, Suzahn Fiering (USA)

Friday 11th July
ADD 12.00 Emirates Beach, Becky Brine
ADD 18.00 The Arcadian, Budapest Ragtime Band (Hungary)
ADD 19.00 Old Orleans, Bobby Woods

Saturday 12th July
ADD 19.00 Old Orleans, Budapest Ragtime Band (Hungary)
DELETE 20.30 Queens Arms, Jonny Boston with Richard Hughes Trio
ADD 13.00 La Tasca, Star City, Budapest Ragtime Band (Hungary)

Sunday 13th July
DELETE 20.00 The Living Room, The Fabulous Boogie Boys

All the Best

Virtuoso says hello

Hey Jazz Fans (I've always wanted to say that)

We've been gathering some performance videos for our upcoming artist biographies page, and Django's Castle, led by the wonderful Pere Soto, made us this lovely little video, completely dedicated to us entitled hello Birmingham.
Watch and Enjoy

If this aint the blues

This year sees the presentation of a fully-fledged Blues Festival weekend at the Asylum in Hockley, the first specialised Blues event in 24 years of Festival history. The Headliners are Bill Sheffield from Atlanta, Georgia and Lightnin Willie and the Poorboys from Houston, Texas currently located in Los Angeles. The Festival will introduce the astonishing new blues guitar talent Oli Brown, alongside veteran blues stars the Cadillac Kings. There will be an intriguing evening of the best blues girls entitled ‘Wild Women Get The Blues’, an open mic free blues session organised by and featuring Poor Bob, who also appears as a guest with Bill Sheffield and Lightnin’ Willie. Produced in conjunction with leading UK blues magazine ‘Blues in Britain’.

If the BBC says it.....

We've recently been featured by the BBC and thought you would want to take a peak.

follow the link below,
Follow me
Also, our programmes are now available at all our venues (as described in the venue list) and at Birmingham libraries but if you're further afield don't forget to send a stamped addressed A5 envelope to
Big Bear Music Group
PO Box 944
Edgbaston
Birmingham
B16 8UT
for a copy of our programme.

Singin' along

At 12 noon and 5pm on July 5th we're asking for some audience participation. At St. Martin's in the Bullring and then later at Atrix Arts Centre in Bromsgrove, Debbie Jones from Tipitina is holding choir workshops. No singing experience is neccessary (although having some won't hinder you at all ;) and all ages are welcome. The workshop will be fun and informal, yet you can still learn lots about choral and vocal techniques including breathing, improvisation, gospel and jazz styles.

Debbie Jones not only fronts Tipitina but sings with the One Voice and Urban Voice gospel choirs and has appeared on BBC1's Christmas Voices singing lead vocals. Her general love of music and commitment to the art form means that you will be in great hands.

Jazz on film

You could be forgiven that the 24th Birmingham International Jazz Festival was just about music but in fact, this year more than any other, it's about much more than that.

This year we have an inhouse photographer by the name of Merlin Daleman. He is based in North Brabant in the Netherlands and has worked at both the Birmingham and Marbella Jazz Festivals as a leader in jazz photography. He contributes regularly to Dutch Daily newspapers and we are delighted to have him back this year. To find out more visit http://www.merlindaleman.com/
A collection of photos from last year's event by Merlin are being displayed at City Inn from the start of the festival where they will remain for four months before going on tour to all the City Inns in the UK.

Showing at the wonderful Electric Cinema in Station Street, the oldest working cinema in the UK (first opened 1909) on the 11th, 12th and 13th at 18.30 is Let's Get Lost, Bruce Weber's Academy Award-nominated film about the great jazz trumpeter Chet Baker. This widely acclaimed film won the the prestigious Critic's prize at the Venice Film Festival.

We also have the mulitalented poet Stephen 'The Doctor' Baker who when he's not fronting two different Jazz bands, offers us some amazing jazz poetry. His show is called 'Poetry in Motion' as he will be literally flitting between gigs, keeping the audience entertained in between sets. Stephen's poetry takes you through all eras of jazz and blues, and from a man described as somewhere between a Jazz-crazed offspring of a Gospel Preacher and an Oxford academic, this chicago born 'blues shouter' promises an uncompromising and unforgettable experience.

Venues

I'm sure you are all aware that the Birmingham International Jazz Festival 2008 takes place in some of the best venues in Birmingham city centre, including the Mailbox, the Bullring (indoor and outdoor), Brindleyplace, all around Broad Street and Hagley Road, the Town Hall, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Pavilions Shopping Centre, Moor Street Station, Hurst Street and many more.

There are however plenty of places to get involved for those who aren't based in and around Birmingham City Centre. We have events at Warwickshire Cricket Club and Taste of Birmingham at Cannon Hill Park, both in the Edgbaston area of of Birmingham. Other non central venues include; Halesowen County Cricket Club, the Big Peg and St. Paul's Square in the Jewellery Quarter, The Asylum in Hockley, The Pavilion in Perry Barr, Sutton Coldfield Traditional Jazz Club in Sutton Coldfield and the Barn in Witton.

Just outside of the city our venues includes Touchwood Centre, Sharman's Cross and Solihull Arts Complex in Solihull, Jubilee Bandstand, Bearwood Corks Club, the King's Head and Atrix in Bromsgrove, the Public in West Bromwich and The Black Country Living Museum in Dudley.

I've italicised the new venues mentioned above. Other venues we are playing for the first time include the Custard Factory, the Queen's Arms, the Crown, Copthorne Hotel, Walkabout on Broad Street, Ha Ha Bar and Grill at the Mailbox, the Plough and Harrow and the Duck Beefeater.

The festival programmes have arrived at the office :)
This means we can start getting them out to the venues, tourist offices and all the people who ordered one.

Best Wishes

I don't know how many of you like to stop on the streets and listen to buskers, maybe even give them a couple of spare coins you have lying in your pocket. If you see a person with a charity box at any of the Jazz Festival events, it won't be for the artist. For the past twenty years, the generosity of Birmingham International Jazz Festival has paid for the training of a guide dog by the 'Guide Dogs for the Blind' charity. The lucky dog then goes on to be named after a noted personality in that year's Jazz Festival. This year he or she is going to be called Whitby, after the head of Birmingham City Council - Mike Whitby. A good name for a dog if you ask me.
If you see a person with a blue charity bucket with a plastic dog on top (like a doggy bank) at any of our events, don't forget to give generously to a great cause.

Room Service

Hello to all the wonderful Jazz Festival goers coming to Birmingham from out of town this year.
Did you know that this year, some of the best hotels in the city centre are not only housing our artists and acting as performance venues, but offering great deals to the public too?
At venues including the Copthorne, Hotel Du Vin, Ibis Birmingham Centre, Menzies Strathallan Hotel, nitenite cityhotels and the official hotel for the Festival, The City Inn. You can be not only in the centre of Birmingham, close to the many shops and attractions the city has to offer, but in the centre of the Festival as well. Artists such as the John Patrick Trio, Becky Brine, Kel Elliott, Mellow Harmony Avstreich Baku, Sally Night, Django's Castle, Carol Sudhalter, Paul Sawtell, Alan Barnes Quartet, Tim Kliphuis, Bourbon Street Stompers, Bobby Woods, Misinterprotato and Craig Milverton could be playing in your hotel lobby, with some nifty collaborations taking place. The City Inn is also host to the wonderful exhibition of 'jazz photos of Birmingham 2007' by Merlin Daleman.

Here's an outline of the offers. Remember to ask for the special Jazz Festival Rate and contact the hotel directly on the numbers given below.

The City Inn - From £65 weekends, from £119 weekdays. Brunwick Square, Brindleyplace
0121 643 1003

The Copthorne - From £60 weekends, from £79 weekdays. Paradise Place
0121 200 0600

Hotel Du Vin - from £99. Upgrades available whenever possible. 25 Church Street
0121 200 0600

Ibis Birmingham Centre - £58.50, 21 Ladywell Walk
0121 622 6010

Menzies Strathallan Hotel - from £39 weekends, from £49 weekdays. 225 Hagley Road
0121 455 9777

nitenite cityhotels - £44.95, Centenary Plaza, 18 Holliday Street
0845 890 9099
To view a map of the location and get the full contact details please see out venue list.

If music be the food of love.....

The 2008 Taste of Birmingham event is taking place on July 11-13, at Cannon Hill Park. The Jazz festival is going to be there in the afternoons, serenading your ears as your tastebuds get similar treatment. The midland's finest restaurants are taking part and music will be coming from the Swedish Jazz Kings, Mellow Harmony Austreih, Tiptina, the Hammond organ trio Pedalmania and Misinterprotato, who join us all the way from Australia.
This combination of music and food, arguably two of the best things in the world, should be a great experience for the lucky attendees.

For more information visit channel4.com/taste

Quick Festival Update

The Jazz Festival is nearly upon us, so here's a quick update.

The printed programme is in the final stages of preparation, and to be sent to the printers today, and will be with us within a week or so. If you want to request a copy then head to www.birminghamjazzfestival.com send us your details and request a programme.

If you wish to volunteer and be a part of the Jazz Festival then visit www.birminghamjazzfestival.com, fill in the form and we'll get right back to you.

For all details regarding artists / performance times / venues and ticket prices visit: www.birminghamjazzfestival.com.

Birmingham Jazz Festival welcomes The Cobweb Collective

The Cobweb Collective promotes some of the most enterprising young bands in Birmingham, with a strong link to the Conservatoire. Four bands due to be showcased are: Lydia Glandville Trio, Sam Wooster Trio, Jimmy Brewer Trio and Ben Kane Trio. See them on Thursday 10th July 2008 at The Yardbird Jazz Club (9pm).
www.cobwebcollective.com

Jazz Festival Comments

It's always nice to hear people saying nice things about the festival.
Here's a nice post on Created In Birmingham: http://www.createdinbirmingham.com/2008/05/29/24th-birmingham-international-jazz-festival/

The programme is coming along nicely and is soon to hit the streets.
Visit www.birminghamjazzfestival.com to sign up for updates, to volunteer or just for more information on the festival, it's always nice to hear from you and to hear of your ideas to help us create the best kind of Jazz Festival.

More soon......

Jazz at The Mailbox

As part of the Birmingham Jazz Festival you can experience Jazz whilst you shop in The Mailbox every day of the festival starting between 12-12.30pm. International artist include, Dixieland Crackerjacks, The Netherlands (4th), Djngo’s Castle, Spain (8th), Budpest Ragtime Band, Hungary (9th) and Bourbon Street Stompers, Germany (11th).
Please check the programme for more details.

Local star returns to festival

Birmingham based trumpeter Bryan Corbett and his quartet, will be playing at the Ha Ha Bar & Grill at 3pm on Sunday 13th July. Bryan has been featured as a Jerwood Rising Star at Cheltenham International Jazz Festival and has performed with such notables of the international jazz scene as Jane Monheit, Curtis Steigers, Spike Robinson and Kenny Baker.

www.bryancorbett.co.uk

Birmingham Jazz Youth Ensemble play at the Symphony Hall

Birmingham Jazz’s high-rated youth big band, Birmingham Jazz Youth Ensemble, is the product of Creative Big Band sessions at the CBSO Centre.
You can see them on Saturday 4th July at Symphony Hall, Level 3 Bar (5.30pm)

Aaron’s back for 2008

We are delighted to confirm that Chicago violinist Aaron Weinstein is returning to the Birmingham Jazz Festival. Aaron’s previous appearances were in 2006, when he was recognised, at the age of 20, as being one of the most exciting emerging jazz talents. Aaron’s recent developments include a duo album with John Pizzarelli for Arbors and appearances with Frank Vignola and Jane Monheit.
Places/dates you can see Aaron include: Wednesday 9th July at Hotel Du Vin (1pm) and at the Copthorne Hotel (6.30pm) and on Thursday 10th July 2008 at the Pavilions (1.30pm) and The Living Room (8pm).

Jazz in the Jewellery Quarter

On Saturday July 5th it’s your chance to enjoy the music of West Country singing star Becky Brine and her Rhythm Boys (the Big Peg – from 11.00 am) and trumpet star and new festival patron Digby Fairweather (St. Paul’s Square – from 12.30 pm) in the stunning surroundings of Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter whilst browsing round the Jewellery Quarter Arts and Designer Craft Market.

Taste of Birmingham 2008

The 2008 Taste of Birmingham event is scheduled for Cannon Hill Park on July 11-13. The Midlands’ finest restaurants will take part, including Michelin-starred Simpsons, award-winning Opus and top Indian establishments Lasan and Itihaas, plus Aria, Filini, Hotel du Vin, Malmaison, Thai Edge, The Oriental, plus Ludlow’s La Becasse. Chefs appearing at the event include Antony Worrall-Thompson and Andreas Antona. Visitors have the chance to taste and sample French wine, Italian coffee and English produce! The Birmingham International Jazz Festival is providing an international mix of music for the afternoons of July 11-13, with the Swedish Jazz Kings, Australia’s Misinterprotato and Hammond organ trio, Pedalmania.
Information on Taste of Birmingham: channel4.com/taste or telephone 0871 230 5581

Jazz at the Museum

Last year for the first time the Jazz Festival included a special event at the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley. Jazz at the Museum added jazz to the many attractions at the Black Country site, from vintage tram to authentic local pub to non-conformist chapel. This highly successful event is to be repeated in 2008, with top-class jazz from the Bourbon Street Stompers and Val Wiseman. Tickets are available on 0121 520 8054.

New faces for Birmingham in 2008

The 24th Birmingham International Jazz Festival (July 4-13) is based on the same principle that has worked so well for many a year: events (at least 150 this year) all across the city and its surrounds, nearly all of them free of charge, with locations ranging from the conventional to the downright unpredictable, with jazz musicians playing in a variety of settings in 3 or 4 day residencies.

This year’s Birmingham, as in many recent years, is particularly strong on European bands, with old favourites like the Budapest Ragtime Band, Germany’s Bourbon Street Stompers and the New Orleans Jump Band, Mike Izatt’s ever-popular multi-national force from the Costa del Sol, and some exciting new faces. Equally multi-national are the Swedish Jazz Kings, with Swedes like Tomas Ornberg and Olle Nyman joined by outstanding Australian trumpeter Bob Barnard and UK players Martin Litton and Spats Langham. The Netherlands’ Dixieland Crackerjacks have, since 1994, built a reputation as one of the foremost bands in the classical jazz field, laying stress on ‘the swinging and happy sounds stemming from the 20s and 30s’ while Les Zauto Stompers from France similarly insist that ‘the audience must be as happy in the hall as the musicians are on the stage’! For real youthful exuberance, though, Birmingham goes a bit further afield, to Melbourne, Australia, for the Red Hot Rhythmakers, a nine-piece led by multi-instrumentalist Michael McQuaid (trumpet and reeds), and to Utah, for the Brigham Young University big band, Synthesis.

Two of last year’s big successes return: American saxophonist Carol Sudhalter and Dutch violinist Tim Kliphuis. A new face to the festival is the outstanding American saxophonist Greg Abate with a CV that takes in Berklee College (in the 1970s), the Ray Charles Orchestra and a prolific recording career with Candid. Nashville-based singer-songwriter Suzahn Fiering brings her unique talents to the festival, as does Sally Night, British-born, Cannes-based where she works with many of the best French and Italian jazz musicians.

Add in a selection of Britain’s finest, deployed in all kinds of enterprising musical combinations and geographical locations, and it’s pretty obvious that Birmingham 2008 will, as usual, fill the city with the best of jazz.