Brecon Jazz is an institution on the Welsh cultural calendar, and it’s great to see it is still happening. This year’s festival was saved by the Hay Festival team, with support from the Arts Council of Wales, after the previous organisers got into financial troubles; so a big thank you must go to you guys!
For those who don’t know (is anyone prepared to put their hand up) the 3 day Brecon Jazz festival provides a wonderful mix of some of the UK’s best jazz musicians and legendary Jazz stars from across global. This year the focus appears to be the African continent, with flavours of Arab and Islamic worlds, and a mix of Spanish, Moorish, Oriental and India spices thrown in; along with the staples of funk, fusion and New Orleans that we know and love.
The highlights for the 2009 festival seem to be:
- Courtney Pine on Saturday 8 August, 7.30pm - 9pm, Market Hall (sold out)
- Abdullah Ibrahim on Saturday 8 August, 5pm - 6.30pm, Market Hall
- Anouar Brahem Trio on Saturday 8 August, 11pm - 12.30am, Cathedral
- Erik Truffaz with Sly Johnson on Sunday 9 August, 12.30am - 2am, Theatr Brycheiniog
- Manu Dibango & The Soul Makossa Gang on Sunday 9 August, 7.30pm - 9pm, Market Hall
What makes Brecon special is the festival audience, and of course the location - set in the market town of Brecon in the middle of the Brecon Beacons National Park.
For a weekend of great music and celebration, you can’t go wrong. Come along on your own, or with friends, family, lovers or colleagues. Come for fun, to share the joy of Jazz in 50 concerts over 3 days, and to meet some of the world’s greatest musicians - up close and personal.
