John Etheridge Photo credit and copyright John Watsonjazzcamera.co.uk

Swing down to Suffolk – writes John Watson – for the second Ipswich Jazz Festival, from 23rd-25th of June, which promises “a lively mix of live music, dance, art, films and workshops”:

Its programme features some outstanding UK artists, including guitarist John Etheridge, singer Vimala Rowe, saxophonist Art Themen, trumpeter Claude Deppa, pianist Andrea Vicari, saxophonist Clare Hirst, bassist Arnie Somogyi and pianist Chris Ingham.

The Back To Basie band – voted best big band six times in the British Jazz Awards – features singer Jacqui Hicks, and will present a show titled Swinging The Blues, Count Basie Style.

Regional bands featured in the programme include Latin-style group Cinquenta and saxophonist Frank Weatherley’s trio,

Festival events include a Lindy Hop workshop with Temujin Gil, a workshop in “township jazz” with the Claude Deppa-Clare Hirst band, as well as instrumental workshops, a workshop teaching music photography skills, and films including Stormy Weather and Finding Fela!

There will be exhibitions of jazz art hosted by Subterranean Arts. Venues for the festival include the New Wolsey Theatre, St Peter’s By The Waterfront, and the Manor Ballroom. Festival co-ordinator Neil Bateman said:

“A small group of us decided to run a jazz festival in Ipswich because other smaller towns have one and there is an active local jazz scene here. Also, because we are quite a distance from other centres for the arts, there is a tradition of getting on and organising musical events ourselves.

The festival has very much been about engaging other organisations and people to create a festival which appeals to a wide range of jazz lovers.  We really do have something for everyone.”

John Watson will be running the Ipswich Festival’s photography workshop.

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