Canary Wharf Jazz Festival Preview

By ljazzn on 5 August 2011 • ( Leave a comment )

Pee Wee Ellis at the 2010 Canary Wharf Jazz Festival
Photo credit: RIchard Kaby

It’s Canary Wharf Festival time again. Dates are August 12th-14th in Canada Square Park.

Last year Richard Kaby produced a great photo-essay for us which conveyed the spirit and the feel of the weekend well. Particulary the feelgood atmosphere where dancing is encouraged – from all ages, but it’s basically a young get-on-your-feet crowd. And in 2009, how could I ever forget being instructed by Soweto Kinch to “stroke the hippo.”?

The line -up this year: First up on Friday is guitarist/ producer Femi Tomowo – Check this out

Saturday is promising too, particularly for Sam Leak’s young band Aquarium in the afternoon, and culminating way from jazz with the Herbaliser (video below from the Exit Festival in Novi Sad in Serbia.) Sunday builds towards a jazz climax with strong Yorkshire conections: Clare Teal and the Jay Phelps Big Band. If the weather is good there’s nowhere in London nicer to be.

And tucked away “hors programme” are film screenings earlier in the day. Monk from 1968, Monk in Europe and Jazz on a Summer’s Day
Full programme:

FRIDAY 12 AUGUST

7-8pm Femi Temowo

8.30-10pm Ska Cubano

SATURDAY 13 AUGUST

1.30-2.45pm Cousin Alice and the Boisdale Blue Rhythm Band

3.15-4.30pm Sam Leak’s Aquarium

5-6.15pm Gwyneth Herbert

6.45-8pm Cuban Combination

8.30-10pm The Herbaliser