Some of Llandudno’s line-up Publicity montage

Peter Bacon reports:

Llandudno Jazz Festival offers a wide selection of jazz in rural surroundings over the weekend of 26-28 July 2019 with a warm and lively host in the person of Alan Barnes.

Among this year’s big names are Zoe Rahman, Tony Kofi, Ian Shaw with the Dave Newton Trio, Clark Tracey, Jim Mullen, Art Themen and Nigel Price, plus the irrepressible Barnes playing as well as introducing the bands, and there is a strong theme of tributes to the greats of jazz’s past.

The programme is:

Friday afternoon: Chris Gumbley’s Tribute to Cannonball featuring Bryan Corbett; Tony Kofi with Alina Bzhezhinska.

Friday evening: The Arrangements of Jimmy Heath featuring Liam Byrne; Sara Oschlag with Nigel Price and Alan Barnes; Brandon Allen’s Gene Ammons Project with Tim Lapthorn.

Saturday afternoon: Jim Mullen and Zoe Frances; Zoe Rahman.

Saturday evening: Dean Masser’s Salute to Dexter Gordon; A Different Kind of Blue – Celebrating 60 years since Miles’ masterpiece without re-creating it; All-star Jamtastic.

Sunday afternoon: Dave Newton Trio; Greg Abate with Nigel Price Trio.

Sunday evening: Ian Shaw with Dave Newton Trio; Benn Clatworthy; Giant Stepping featuring Steve Melling; Alan Barnes Octet: Requiem Suite featuring Mark Nightingale and Gilad Atzmon.

A special early-birds concert on Thursday evening will be a tribute and fund-raiser in memory of Ed Burke, co-founder and director of the festival who died earlier this year. Called A Gig For Big Ed, it will feature Sara Oschlag, Alan Barnes, Neil Yates and Tony Kofi.

The venue is Bodafon Farm Park. There will be more acts and fringe events confirmed in the coming weeks.

LINK: Llandudno Jazz Festival website – full information and tickets