The Jazz and Blues Festival starts on the
evening of Saturday 15 July, 6–10pm as the sun goes down; on Sunday 16 July the
show starts in the afternoon at 2pm, closing at 8pm that evening.
In its excellent central position,
with loads of popular places on hand to enjoy drinks or a meal, this is a great
event for all generations to enjoy together, and an array of amazing talent is
promised in the programme which features:
Bob Long Trio (Saturday: 6–7pm)
The Festival opens to the exciting
sound of the Bob Long Trio. You can look forward to a mixture of original
compositions and jazz standards from the 1950s and 60s, performed by veteran
jazz musicians from San Diego, Chicago and New York.
Andy Kennedy Quartet (Saturday: 7.15–8.15pm)
Regulars on the Basingstoke and
Southampton jazz scenes, these musicians are known for playing modern and contemporary
jazz standards in energetic and adventurous style. Taking their lead from such
artist as Herbie Hancock, Joshua Redman, Michael Brecker and Miles Davis are Andy
Kennedy on saxophones, his father Mike Kennedy on piano, Brian Throup on
upright bass and bass guitar, and Damian Hayes on drums.
Robin Bibi Band (Saturday: 8.30–10pm)
Robin Bibi is recognised as one of the
UK’s top blues/rock guitarists. Having paid his dues working with such names as
Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, Ben E. King, The Pretty Things and Helen Shapiro, he
launched his own band in the late 1990s. Blues and jazz fusion come together in
the band’s feel-good concoction which will make this a night to remember.
Rag & Moan Men (Sunday: 2–3pm)
Acoustic blues and beyond are brought
to you by Martin Wood and friends who as the Rag & Moan Men play at various
venues throughout Berkshire and North Hampshire. Expect their take on sounds
from such legends as Muddy Waters, Furry Lewis, Blind Willie Johnson, Bob
Dylan, Tampa Red, Van Morrison, St Louis Jimmy, Howlin' Wolf, Mississippi
John Hurt, J.J. Cale, Jimmy Reed, alongside some of their own songs.
Fleur Stevenson (Sunday: 3.15–4.15pm)
Alluringly graceful and charismatic, Fleur
Stevenson is one of the new breed of jazz singers. She is known for her scat
singing and passionate interpretation of jazz classics, and with influences including Carman McRae,
Shirley Horn, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and Chris Connor she performs a modern take on a variety of much-loved jazz standards,
Latin favourites and vintage-flavoured originals. She enjoys collaborations
with many wonderful musicians and has performed for many different events at
venues across the UK, including the legendary Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club.
Chicago 9 Blues Band (Sunday: 4.30–5.30pm)
Chicago 9 is a four-piece blues band
whose main influence is the electric blues of Chicago in the 1950s and 60s. Their
heroes include Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, Otis Rush, Magic Sam and Sonny Boy
Williamson but their set also includes their own original compositions. This is
one no-fuss, high-energy, 21st-century blues experience not to be missed.
Ma Bessie (Sunday: 5.45–6.45pm)
Julia Titus as Ma Bessie celebrates
Bessie Smith, the American blues singer nicknamed Empress of the Blues. Today
Ma Bessie delights in bringing the music of Bessie Smith – one of the greatest
singers of 1920s and 30s – and her contemporaries to a new audience.
Jon Walsh Trio (Sunday: 7–8pm)
At the Festival finale expect the best
of the blues from the Jon Walsh Trio (JW3), comprised of three long-time
musicians and friends – Jon A. Walsh, Bill White and Dave Laing – who have been
playing together since the 1980s. Specialising in original music and acoustic
covers of singer/songwriter classics, the trio’s ethos is ‘less is more’ and playing
the essence of beautiful songs is what it’s all about for JW3.
