Monday, November 24, 2014

2015 Bristol International Jazz and Blues Festival


Jon Turney previews next March's Bristol International Jazz and Blues Festival, which had its programme launch this week: 

A re-creation of a Louis Armstrong big band concert is the latest fruit of Bristol Jazz and Blues Festival’s deepening relationship with New Orleans, and will be a Sunday afternoon highlight of the Festival’s third edition next March.

It is just possible a few punters will have heard the Armstrong All Stars play at Bristol’s Colston Hall in 1962, but this will be something new even to them. A 17-strong ensemble will play scores made available by the Louis Armstrong House museum and last aired in 1947. The concert will also feature New Orleans musicians Lillian Boutte, vocals, Evan Christopher on clarinet, and banjo and guitar player Don Vappie, plus at least one yet to be announced guest, and narration from actor and singer Clarke Peters, who has a concert of his own the previous day.

The Armstrong connection will be sealed by a two-week residence in the city for Armstrong House archivist Ricky Ricciardi who will tour local schools as well as presenting rare Armstrong film footage at the Festival.

The other distinctive offering is a new project for the Big Buzzard Boogie Band and the Bristol Jazz Festival Chorus performing songs from Disney movies under the banner of Cartoon Jazz.

 Dr John strengthens the New Orleans theme when he closes the Festival on Sunday night with his first show in Bristol for a dozen years.

Bill Wyman’s nine-strong Rhythm Kings should ensure a full house for the late show on Saturday.

More contemporary sounds come from Andy Sheppard’s European quartet, playing material from their forthcoming new ECM recording, and Dave (Edition Records) Stapleton’s Slowly Rolling Camera.

Last year’s popular swing dance big band session is reprised as a Festival opener on Friday night, when none-dancers can enjoy trumpeter Nick Walter’s Paradox Ensemble, and there are bluesy contributions later in the weekend from Mike Sanchez, festival returnee Matt Schofield and Aynsley Lister.

read more: http://news360.com/digestarticle/qB4Jk89tz02k1J5LEUBeBQ

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