Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

Latest news from the 'Jazz in the Bar' team at Brecon -  Hope you had a great summer, including of course, selections from last month's Brecon Jazz Festival or the 'Major Swing' events! The club had three outstanding concerts and rave reviews, we're really pleased about these, and thank you lovely audience for supporting these, including also a recent concert in Ebbw Vale at the Beaufort theatre. Quotes from the reviews are below. We are also collecting feedback, so if you have any thoughts, please send them in (and thank you for those who've emailed already). Our concerts were: (1) Major Swing (from France) with Remi Harris and Ashley Long, (2) Martin Taylor (solo), (3) Deirdre Cartwright with Alison Rayner, Will Barnes, Tom Ollendorff and Greg Evans. September's jazz club is Tuesday 15 September, 8pm, the Mañana Collective - Latin rhythms (poster has details). Supper will be 6.30 at the Clarence Pub. RSVP. We'll pre-select from their m...

The Brecon Jazz 2015 programme (August 7-9) boasts the most international line-up in the event’s 31-year history, with tickets on sale now through www.breconjazz.com Big name American headliners, exclusive performances, intriguing crossovers and global artists from Scandinavia through Romania, Brittany and Catalonia to Brazil that reflect jazz music’s global reach, are all prominent features of this summer’s event in the beauty of the Brecon Beacons. New for 2015 is an additional venue, Brecon Elim Church, with a 200 capacity and a pedigree in staging concerts of its own, where the Western Power Kid Zone will engage local children in making music. Plus there will be a Brecon Jam late night opportunity for musicians to unwind and show off their improv skills. Headline Acts The Market Hall is the venue on Saturday August 8 for the iconic Dr. John, who brings to Wales his critically acclaimed Ske-Dat-De-Dat: The Spirit of Satch show - a tribute to New Orleans music legend Louis Armstro...

Latest news from the 'Jazz in the Bar' team at Brecon -  Hello everyone - Thank you to all who helped to make this year's Brecon Jazz Festival such a success, both the main festival events and our own club programme. Our own next gig is Tues 23 SEPTEMBER (Keith Little Trio, with piano, clarinet, drums). Till then, a few relevant notices about great jazz in and around the region this summer, in West Wales (20 Aug, 21 Aug), Borders (29 Aug), and Abergavenny (30/31 Aug): Lots of people love Afternoon in Paris, and if you are in the West, they are playing in Narberth this Weds 20th. August (venue Plas Hyfryd Hotel Moorfield Road Narberth). More details of SpanJazz Autumn Weds dates (Narberth), usual venue is The Dingle Club, Jesse Road Narberth SA67 7DP. Weds 17th. September 'A Night To Remember' - Claudia Gunnars & Gary Phillips Weds 22nd. October Michael Coates tenor sax, with The John Gibbon Trio Weds 19th. October Wynn Phillips band, Grouch Club S...

Latest news from the Brecon Jazz Club team -  Hello everyone - some Brecon Jazz Festival (BJF) concert updates - THAT HAMMOND (ORGAN) SOUND! If like us you love the sound of the Hammond organ in a jazz set, then our 'ORGANIC' concert is for you. Actually, there isn't anyone who doesn't like the Hammond organ, is there? The only Hammond in the festival this year, we've booked leading artist Jean-paul Gard and he will be fronting with a festival favourite, the wonderful Saxophonist, Dominic Norcross. Yes, you will have heard Dominic play at our jazz club, and perhaps on Festival strollers & fringe gigs too in the past. You won't have heard him team up his Welsh sax virtuosity with the Hammond organ! This is a special, and they are here with a fantastic team of John Davies on guitar and Eddie John on drums. For only £12 per person, and having your lunch a little later, you can either fit this in or make it the highlight of the day/weekend. Please join us to ...

Latest news from the 'Jazz Club' team at Brecon Details of next Club gig (Tues 15 July), Jazz buffet, and August (Sun 10th) - 'Shades of Shearing' is an apt title for the sounds of the highly acclaimed jazz artists Trefor Owen and Andy Hulme, as they performed numbers such as "Lullaby of Birdland", “East of the Sun and West of the Moon”, “Laura” and Duke Ellington’s “In a Sentimental Mood” at the Club's 2013 Brecon Jazz Festival. Here, as a guitar duo, they return to Brecon Jazz Club to delight with this wonderful programme - Tuesday 15 July, Brecon Jazz Club, in the 'Festival Bar' of Theatr Brycheiniog,at 8pm. Trefor Owen is one of Wales’s premier jazz guitarists, and has performed extensively in the USA, appearing in San Francisco and LA, at the Classic American Guitar Show, New York and the prestigious Jazz Cafe, Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC. He has also toured the UK with such American guitar greats as Mundell Lowe and Randy Johnsto...

Latest news from the Brecon Jazz Club team as the big festival weekend approaches -  BRECON JAZZ FESTIVAL updates FRIDAY tickets - STILL SOME LEFT for Courtney Pine, Zoe Rhaman Quintet, Jason Rebello Group SATURDAY - Phronesis (just a few left) SUPPORT BJF IN THE GUILDHALL Sunday 11 August (choice of concerts) ‘Balança’ Contemporary Bossa Nova / Brazilian Jazz Quintet led by Cathy Jones at 7.15pm  http://breconjazz.com/programme/2013/sunday/balanca-led-by-cathy-jones/ Arturo Serra Quartet Meets Celia Mur Latin-Hispanic vibes & vocals from Spain at 5pm http://breconjazz.com/programme/2013/sunday/arturo-serra-quartet-meets-celia-mur/ Davide Logiri Meets Torfaen Jazz piano & sax-led modern standards at 3pm http://breconjazz.com/programme/2013/sunday/davide-logiri-meets-torfaen-jazz/ Shades of Shearing Quartet tribute featuring maestro guitar & vibes at 12.30 pm http://breconjazz.com/programme/2013/sunday/shades-of-shearing/ Promoted by Brecon Jazz Club, North Wales J...

Latest news from the 'Jazz in the Bar' team at Brecon - DIARY MARKER FOR JAZZ CLUB JULY 2013 Tuesday 16 July : Keith Little Quartet Well known and very popular team, led by Keith, playing Swing with a little Latin and Jump 'n' Jive, too. Main Swing sets are from the wonderful jazz era of the 30s and 40s. Featuring - Keith Little on Piano Martin Butterworth on clarinet/sax and vocals Bill Lyn on double bass Mike Pincombe on drums Theatr Bar : 8pm : £6 on the door Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon LD3 7EW Daytime Box office: 01874 611622 PS: DON'T FORGET TO BOOK YOUR JAZZ FESTIVAL 'GUILDHALL' GIG TICKETS SOON! ‘Balança’ Contemporary Bossa Nova / Brazilian Jazz Quintet led by Cathy Jones at 7.15pm  http://breconjazz.com/programme/2013/sunday/balanca-led-by-cathy-jones/ Arturo Serra Quartet Meets Celia Mur Latin-Hispanic vibes & vocals from Spain at 5pm http://breconjazz.com/programme/2013/sunday/arturo-serra-quartet-meets-celia-mur/ Davide Logiri Meets Torfaen Ja...

The programme for the world famous Brecon Jazz festival 2013, August 9-11 ( www.breconjazz.com ) has been announced today, with a third more gigs than last year, a sprinkling of stellar names, leading lights of the jazz world, some legendary names not usually associated with this field of music, and a new collaboration with jazz clubs and societies from across Wales. Courtney Pine, Django Bates, Jools Holland, Zoe Rahman, Phronesis, Julian Siegel, Jason Rebello and Acker Bilk feature, along with Grammy Award winner Mavis Staples and, with 18 Grammy Awards between them, The Impossible Gentlemen - as the picturesque streets of Brecon come alive again this August. This is the second year for Wales-based festival operator Orchard following their successful start in 2012, and the experienced music promoter has increased the number of gigs this summer, and added another venue in the beautiful mid Wales town. They also repeat the partnership with Welsh artist-in-residence Huw Warren who is...

BBC News - Cardiff-based Orchard to run Brecon Jazz Festival A Cardiff events and media group has been announced as the new operator of the Brecon Jazz Festival. Orchard was chosen to run the internationally-renowned event by the Arts Council of Wales, Powys council and Brecon Beacons National Park. The search for a new promoter started last December after the Hay Festival organisation announced that it was pulling out after two years.

Confidence high over future of Brecon Jazz Festival - Showbiz - Lifestyle - WalesOnline Those interested in taking over the running of the Brecon Jazz Festival this summer will soon be able to assess what they need to apply for the tender. A spokeswoman for the Arts Council Wales (ACW) said: “We are confident the event will happen this year. We have the funds for it.” ACW and Powys County Council have been in discussions over the past few weeks to confirm what they would be looking for from future management of the festival.

I've received more news about the Jazz in The Bar event in Brecon on St Valentine's Night. The news reads - Book now - 20 bookings already so please don't delay too long. See you there! NB Tipple and Tiffin will be open from 6/6.16 pm, so you can enjoy the meal in a relaxed way before the music! Please state if you want a separate table - otherwise, we'll all be together on a Jazz table. (Menu below) JAZZ IN THE BAR, 2012 @ THEATR BRYCHEINIOG, CANALSIDE, BRECON, POWYS LD3 7EW : 8pm start, £6 on the door Tues 14 February: Paul Munnery's Swing Street band - Paul leads on trombone, with vibes, keyboards, maybe a guest, too. Described as 'free-wheeling jazz from the New York nightclub scene of the 1930s - swingers, blues, ballads'. Returning by popular demand, bringing great music back. Lineup: Paul Munnery (trombone/slide guitar), Henry Davis (piano), Rachel Hayward (vibes, guitar), Keith Tolley (double bass), Dion Cochran (drums) AND option of Jazz ...

Letter from Simon Buckley, chief executive of Llandeilo's Evan Evans Brewery, sent to the Carmarthen Journal (and published today) on the subject of the Brecon Jazz 2012 debate - I read with great interest your article on Brecon Jazz 2012. Brecon Jazz is not up for grabs and is certainly not going to move to Carmarthen. Brecon Jazz is staying in Brecon, its proper home. On Wednesday last, I had the privilege of hosting a meeting to decide how the people of Brecon could develop the 2012 Jazz festival. Over 60 people attended the meeting, many of the original founders of the Jazz festival came to the George Hotel, and after some pretty lively debate, it was clear that there will be Jazz in Brecon in 2012, that there will be a fringe festival, and that the people of Brecon will take ownership of the Jazz Festival, and make sure that one of Wales greatest street parties lives on. What was truly inspiring was the determination of those present to make sure that the Brecon Fringe w...

Pictures from Brecon Jazz Public meeting held at The George Hotel, Brecon - http://www.flickr.com/photos/29563596@N00/sets/72157628744306811/

Off to Brecon for a public meeting on the future of Brecon Jazz and Brecon Jazz Fringe festivals. Meeting is 6pm at The George Hotel, Brecon.

BBC News - Brecon Jazz: Brewery and concert promoter hope to run event A Cardiff events company and Carmarthenshire brewery both say they are interested in securing the future of Brecon Jazz. It follows the decision of the Hay Festival to end its three-year contract. Promoters Orchard Media and Events said it intends registering "an expression of interest" to take over the Powys music event held every August. Llandeilo brewer Evan Evans said it was also willing to help fund events.

Leading West Wales brewer Evan Evans has offered to help save the Brecon Jazz Fringe Festival after the withdrawal of the Hay management company. Evan Evans, who own the George Hotel in Brecon, one of the main fringe venues, is determined to see jazz live on in Brecon and is prepared to put its money behind the deal. Evan Evans Group Chief Executive Simon Buckley said: "Brecon Jazz is a Welsh institution that, sadly, over the last few years, has lost its way. Far from being a splendid street festival, where it had a carnival atmosphere, the festival has moved towards ever more expensive fixed venue gigs. "It's time to re-focus and provide what the festival followers want. "Over the last few years, the George Hotel has developed its involvement with the Fringe Festival, where thousands of jazz revellers have enjoyed some of the very best music free of charge. The fringe is the way forward for Brecon Jazz. "The Jazz Festival is an important part of our business a...

The George Melly Sculpture Appeal will have a high profile at the Brecon Jazz Weekend later this month. Melly lived locally and was huge supporter of the jazz festival. As we all gear up for Brecon Jazz 2011, Martin Chilton's article reminds us of the history of " A festival with buzz" and George Melly's important role in its successs - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/brecon-jazz-festival/8623717/Brecon-Jazz-History-of-a-festival-with-buzz.html It is fitting that The George Melly Sculpture Appeal is presenting fringe events either side of the festival weekend on Thursday 11th and Monday 15th August with the message "Come to Brecon Jazz 2011 - if you can, come a day early, stay a day later!" For more information, see - www.georgemellysculpture.org.uk Events - Thursday 11th August at 7.30 pm, the Appeal is presenting Twelve Poems : The Dylan Thomas Jazz Suite at Theatr Brycheiniog by pianist Jen Wilson and her ensemble featuring Paula Gardiner and Margot Mo...

Something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue . . . there’s a wonderfully varied line-up at The George Hotel during the Brecon Jazz Festival. The hotel is staging a significant ‘Fringe’ programme during the three-day festival which starts on August 12. The programme is being presented by the owners of The George Hotel, the award-winning Evan-Evans brewery of Llandeilo. Headlining on Saturday, August 13, will be the legendary Mike Harries Root Doctors. The veteran Welsh musician is 78 years young and is living proof that music is always the best medicine. Saturday also sees the spotlight fall on Li Harding (above), whose powerful, gospel-tinged vocal style wins over crowds wherever she performs. She will perform with The Gary (Amigos) Phillips Trio. Last up on Saturday will be one of the Rhondda Valley’s favourite sons, Morty (Gareth Mortimer of Racing Cars fame), who will take the stage with The Frantics. The weekend programme has been assembled by music promoter ...

The full-line-up for the Brecon Jazz 'Fringe' events at The George Hotel (see earlier post - http://sirgarblog.blogspot.com/2011/07/all-that-jazz-at-george-in-brecon.html ) is as follows - Friday 12th 7.00 Tasha 7.30 The Sunshine Band 9.30 Call Me Albert Saturday 13th 12.00 Just Harrie 1.00 Li Harding (above) & The Gary (Amigos) Philips Trio 2.45 Wonderbrass 3.30 Mike Harries Root Doctors 6.00 The Numbers Racket 8.00 Loose Change 10.00 Blue Traffic 11.00 Morty (Racing Cars) & The Frantics Sunday 14th 12.00 Sarah & H Quartet 2.00 The Remi Harris Trio (above) 4.00 Steely Scam (UK Steely Dan Tribute) with The Division Horns, feat. Odette Adams 6.30 The Albino Frogs 8.30 She Tasted Good (above) 10.30 Nik Turner Project 9

It’s all that jazz – and it’s free! The George Hotel in Brecon will be staging its very own ‘Fringe’ in harmony with the Brecon Jazz Festival. Headlining on Saturday, August 13, will be the legendary Mike Harries Root Doctors. The veteran Welsh musician is 78 years young and is living proof that music is always the best medicine. “Brecon Jazz is a superb weekend and we aim to help the event be a massive success,” said The George Hotel’s owner, Simon Buckley. “The festival runs from August 12-14 and we want The George Hotel, slap bang in the middle of town, to be at the heart of things. “We will be running our own ‘Fringe’ events all weekend and they will be free to one and all. “The music will be special, of course. And there will be plenty of opportunity to sample the award-winning beers from my Evan-Evans Brewery in Llandeilo.” Mike Harries has been making music in Cardiff since the late 1940s, for the most time in the New Orleans traditional style. He formed the Root Doctors in 1987...