Sebastian writes: 

The South Coast Jazz Festival keeps on growing in scale and confidence. This year’s is the fourth Festival and it will take place over eight days – the first one was just three days. We’re trying to make it run more smoothly by having it all in one place,” says one of the Festival’s three directors Claire Martin – “but at the same time it’s more difficult – because there is so much more going on

Claire Martin explained the deliberate quest for range and variety. “We wanted to show all different styles and forms of music co-exist and combine to become jazz. We think there will be something for everyone. We hope to have it all covered!”

An example is the latin evening that the festival has commissioned from Liane Carroll and Ian Shaw, which has already sold out. “Ian is going to talk about the influence bossa nova has on jazz music. Putting them together will be fantastic. Julian Nicholas will introduce / interview them. A new Brighton based performing arts school BRICTT will be sponsoring that evening.”

The evening with  Pee Wee Ellis is also sold out.

John Billett Events will be sponsoring the Jazz Repertory Company‘s 100 Years of Jazz show,

I spoke to Claire Martin about the evening with Gwilym Simcock and Yuri Goloubev: “That one aims to show how classical and jazz music meet.” Claire Martin will interview Gwilym, and a starry chef will also be doing a buffet before the concert. Ropetackle Centre has a large kitchen which can be used… That evening is selling particularly well.

There are also concerts with Elliot Galvin and Clark Tracey‘s new quintet – including  BBC Young Jazz Musician winner Alexandra Ridout. Clark Tracey will also do a book signing of his newly-published Stan Tracey biography.

The Brotherhood of Breath Evening is planned by Julian Nicholas. It has former fellow Loose Tubers like Chris Batchelor and will feature Chris Biscoe and Claude Deppa and Annie Whitehead with Steve Arguelles coming over specially from France. The concert will be preceded by a session with Kevin Le Gendre.

And the events in the daytime? “We’ve got much more going on for children.” Joe Stilgoe has written a song for each day featuring a different instrument and will teach it to a group of toddlers, working with his wife Katie Stilgoe (Beard). “The children will be able to hear, see, feel, and touch the instrument and understand its role in a band.”explains Claire.

And students too. There is a brand-new collaboration with BIMM (British and Irish Modern Music Institute) who will have showcases for students but their involvement will be deeper, their students will also be shadowing and being mentored by the people making the festival happen – runners, sound engineers, production staff, etc.

BBC Young Jazz Musician winner Alexandra Ridout (Thur 25)

PROGRAMME OF EVENING CONCERTS

SAT 20 JAN – 100 Years of Jazz in 99 minutes – This show by Pete Long and The Jazz Repertory Company has been a success at Cadogan Hall

SUN 21 JAN – Liane Carroll & Ian Shaw present ‘Latin Flavours’ – specially commissioned show for this year’s festival.

MON 22 JAN – An Evening with Gwilym Simcock & Yuri Goloubev tickets £25 Includes a buffet meal prepared using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Show

TUE 23 JAN – Elliot Galvin Trio – appearing for the first time at the Festival

WED 24 JAN – Pee Wee Ellis ‘Funk Assembly’

THU 25 JAN – Clark Tracey Quintet ‘Bebop and Beyond’ feat. Alexandra Ridout

 FRI 26 JAN – Brotherhood of Breath – the music of Chris McGregor- a special one-off show includes Annie Whitehead and Claude Deppa.

SAT 27 JAN – Smitty’s Big Four ft special guest Joe Stilgoe

FULL PROGRAMME ON THE FESTIVAL WEBSITE