I was appalled when I read in a number of places that after 25 years, the Brecon Jazz Festival might not happen this year.

The company promoting the festival, is in administration as of last Friday. The website is down.

How, why oh why, do we come almost to expect that this hardy, nature-defying plant called jazz will have regularly to uproot itself.

It ain’t right. These guys are good. They deserve some luck!

Jim Smith has done such a great job as Director. The festival incorporates a very broad range of styles. He gets the right bands into the right venues. It’s a very pretty town. And those memories…. I was in the front row for the gig by Joe Lovano, an inspired choice as artist-in-residence in 2007, with the kick-ass Gareth Williams trio. The youth bands outdoors. I have in my mind’s ear everything from Scott Hamilton in a tent to Partisans. Plus distant memories of tough Tennessee tenor Bennie Wallace in the Market Hall, and always a warm and friendly and informed audience….

Anyway, the latest news from BBC Wales does seem more encouraging.

Let’s hope so.