Jazz Festivals
A brief introduction to some of the UK’s most significant jazz events
1. Isle of Wight International Jazz Festival
Located in the small town of Ventnor on the Isle of Wight, the International Jazz Festival had a reputation for pulling in a mix of classic big names and emerging new talent. Held every year since 2005, the festival was cancelled in 2009 due to what the official website describes as “local politics”.
It seems that for now, the festival is no longer taking place on Ventnor, but organisers are working with the Olympic committee, to bring a jazz vibe to the Olympic Games after-party in 2012, which means in essence, the whole festival has been relocated. Regardless, it should be one worth watching.
2. Twinwood Festival, incorporating the Glenn Miller Festival
Specialising in a wider range of music, including swing and jive, the Twinwood festival has been held since 2007 and is now one of the largest vintage music festivals in Europe. It began, after amalgamating with the original Glen Miller Festival, that had had been previously held every year since 2002, at the renovated RAF base in Bedfordshire where Glenn Miller held his last concert before his disappearance. By 2008 the festival had grown to encompass a more vintage lifestyle element, with jazz bars, village traders and a hair and beauty salon.
3. Cheltenham Jazz Festival
The Cheltenham Jazz Festival is organised in conjunction with the Literature, Music and Science festivals that occur annually in the area. It began in 1996 and is regarded as one of the most popular jazz festivals in the UK. There is a strong fringe element to the festival, with many nearby pubs and venues getting involved and organising similarly themed events. The Cheltenham Jazz Festival also holds a number of education programmes and workshops, some targeted at young people with the aim of getting a new generation impassioned by the genre.
4. Glasgow International Jazz Festival
Held in June every year in the Merchant City area of Glasgow, Scotland, this is one of the larger jazz festivals in Europe. The main stage is located in George Square and is open air. There is also a covered base inside the City Halls complex, at the refurbished Old Fruitmarket. To get into the spirit of the event, the surrounding hotels, restaurants and bars often hold their own entertainment and promotions, as part of a fringe festival.
5. London Jazz Festival
The London Jazz Festival has its roots in the old Camden Festival, which held ‘Jazz Weeks’ for over 15 years, at several well established venues around the area. When the Camden Festival demised, there was a clear call for a new festivalto step into its place and it gradually grew to a London-wide celebration of all things jazz. It is now held in November every year and is a ten day event, attracting many big names as well as new talent.It is celebrated as one of the most renowned jazz events worldwide. Interestingly, Jools Holland played his very first concerts with his famous Rhythm and Blues Orchestra as part of the Jazz Festival, at the Hackney Empire.
6. Manchester Jazz Festival
Focused on the more contemporary side of jazz, specifically (but not exclusively) from the North West of the country, the annual Manchester Jazz Festival is held over 9 days in the heart of Manchester city centre. It has been running since 1996 and visitors to the festival can now expect to have access to over 300 musicians, playing over 60 different concerts.
7. Whitley Bay International Jazz Festival
With an emphasis on showcasing new talent, this north eastern jazz festival is a stylistically wide-ranging affair, encompassing everything from ragtime to swing. The festival has been running since 1990 and visitors can now expect over 25 acts, with around a third of them being international artists.
8. Keswick Jazz Festival
Held annually, in the idyllic setting of the historic Lake District town, the Keswick Jazz Festival continues to attract top names in both the modern pop and traditional jazz styles. The festival takes place in May and runs for four days, across numerous venues in the town.
9. City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival
The City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival is known as one of the most popular and successful music events in Ireland. It is held on an annual basis and receives threefold funding from the city council, the Guinness company and the government’s Culture, Arts and Leisure department.
10. Brecon Jazz Festival
Usually held in August, on a yearly basis, the Brecon Jazz Festival is based in rural Mid Wales. It sees international and home-bred talent playing across a range of venues and is funded by the Arts Council of Wales. The festival has grown from its tiny beginnings back in 1984, as local bar owner Jed Williams organised the very first Jazz festival on a shoestring budget of just £100.
As well as ticketed events, like most jazz festivals, there are fringe events and free street music being performed in parallel with the main concerts, with popular carnival-like elements, public performances and fireworks to bolster the appeal.