The second South Coast Jazz Festival, with joint artistic directors Claire Martin and Julian Nicholas takes place in Shoreham-by-Sea from Thursday 21st to Sunday 24th June. The “Ellington and Ella” finale on the Sunday night is already sold out. Elaine Crouch from the South Coast Jazz Festival team writes:

Following on from last January’s highly successful inaugural event, this engaging seaside festival, which highlights the rich and diverse voices at the pinnacle of the UK’s thriving jazz scene, is set for a second outing. Once again, vocalist Claire Martin OBE and saxophonist Julian Nicholas have joined forces to combine their love of the South Coast with their professional jazz profiles to curate this year’s South Coast Jazz Festival to be hosted at the Ropetackle Arts Centre, Shoreham-by-Sea.

VOCALISTS

This year, and now expanded to a four day event, the festival will present a cross-section of the female voices shaping jazz in Britain today: from the high priestess herself, Norma Winstone – another South Coast inhabitant – and the astonishingly accomplished Anita Wardell and uniquely-styled Christine Tobin to writer Imogen Ryall and the proud co-curator and star of a recent BBC Prom, Claire Martin.

INSTRUMENTALISTS

Arun Ghosh, Nikki Iles (The Printmakers), top post-bop influenced saxophonist Alex Garnett and trumpeter Jack Kendon will represent the creative voices of today’s inspirational and individualistic composer/instrumentalists. Pianist Gareth Williams alongside bassist Dave Green will present a ‘Bill Evans and Scott LaFaro’ tribute.

WORKSHOPS AND EDUCATION

Workshops and education will have a particular emphasis this year, both at the venue itself and in participating schools, thus bringing opportunities to the local community to work with Gareth, Anita, Claire and Julian Nicholas in a variety of settings. A composition commission for a young choir and an extended ‘Jazz For Juniors’ project will shine a spotlight on the festival’s commitment to supporting jazz in the wider community in an inclusive and innovative way.

Expect everything from a super-swinging jazz dance spectacular with Pete Long’s ‘Ellington and Ella’ (Claire Martin) to the contemporary British voices of Mark Lockheart (The Printmakers) and Phil Robson (Christine Tobin), all brought together in the friendly and accessible Ropetackle Arts Centre, located just 15 minutes from central Brighton.

Claire Martin OBE and Julian Nicholas outside the Ropetackle Arts Centre

FULL PROGRAMME

Thursday 21 January,

11am – 4pm

‘Jazz Vocal Workout’ workshop with Anita Wardell

7.30pm

The Jack Kendon Quintet ft. Imogen Ryall
Alex Garnett ‘s ‘Bunch of Five’ Alex Garnett – tenor sax, Brandon Allen – tenor sax, Liam Noble – piano, Michael Janisch – double bass, James Maddren – drums

Friday 22 January

11am – 4pm

‘Tricks of the Trade’ – Jazz Instrumental Workshop with Gareth Williams

7.30pm

Gareth Williams and Dave Green – ‘A Tribute To Bill Evans and Scott LaFaro’
Nikki Iles and Norma Winstone’s The Printmakers

Saturday 23 January 

Start 11am with a 3pm performance

‘Jazz For Juniors’ workshop with Julian Nicholas

3.00pm – 4.30pm

‘Jazz‘Jazz For Absolute Beginners’ with Kevin LeGendre

7.30 pm

Christine Tobin Trio
Arun Ghosh Quintet

Sunday 24 January 2016 

12 noon

South Coast Jazz Festival L.O.G.S Choir and Open Jam Session. The jam session will be hosted by the Brighton Jazz School and led by the Wayne McConnell Trio. The cafe will be open for refreshments and entry is free.

7.30pm

Pete Long and Claire Martin ‘Ellington and Ella’ (SOLD OUT)

South Coast Jazz Festival acknowledges support from Arts Council England and BBC Radio 3.

LINKS: SOUTH COAST JAZZ FESTIVAL WEBSITE / BOOKINGS
Directions to Ropetackle Arts Centre 
Neal Richardson’s memorable moments of the inaugural festival in 2015