Sunday, July 27, 2014

Ilkley Summer Festival Jazz Day

ILKLEY SUMMER FESTIVAL JAZZ DAY 2014

This year Ilkley Summer festival are very excited to be hosting a JAZZ DAY on Monday August 25th (Bank holiday Monday) in The Studio on the Grove as part of their music weekend, where a large 200 seater marquee will be filled to the brim with exciting Jazz music and next year, with your support, it might just become a Jazz Festival…!

  There have been many requests for much more quality jazz in Ilkley over the last few years. Established Jazz artists such as Claire Teal, Claire Martin and many others have performed in Ilkley to deeply appreciative audiences and far from being stuck in the past, jazz is a constantly developing genre where artists past and present are continually working on new and vibrant projects. Yorkshire is very lucky to have an immense amount of jazz talent both established and emerging new faces.  The Jazz Day is a celebration of Yorkshire’s exceptional Jazz heritage.  It is also a bit of an experiment, as if this day proves to be a big success it could well turn into a fully fledged Jazz Festival next year. 

The day starts at 10.30 with a 2 hour Jazz Workshop, free of charge and open to all abilities, run by two exceptional Jazz musicians Adrian Knowles (double bass) and Ben Lowman (Tenor Saxophone).  




Ben Lowman’s Django Project opens the day’s music at 2 pm. This talented ensemble ‘specializes in playing Gypsy Jazz with a unique twist. They perform tightly arranged covers and originals in a French Gypsy Jazz style. The band have beautifully intertwined melodies with a steaming hot rhythm section, combining to create a rich, driving authentic sound! They are heavily influenced by artists such as Django Reinhardt, Martin Taylor and Birelli Lagrene and aim to bring the style out of the lime light around the UK.’  




At 4 pm Ilkley welcomes the New York Brass Band (NYBD) all the way from York! This exuberant and uber talented band have really been making a name for themselves over this last couple of years and play a mixture of Jazz Standards and pop classics in the New Orleans style of Jazz.  New York Brass Band are North Yorkshire’s only contemporary New Orleans inspired Brass Band. Hailing from the ancient streets of York the band are part of a funky brass revolution that is sweeping the UK. Inspired by Rebirth Brass Band, Soul Rebels, Hot 8, Youngblood and Brassroots, NYBB pack a powerful punch of relentless drums, rumbling tuba and wailing horns… nothing kicks a party into gear like the sound of this smokin’ New Orleans Mardi Gras Jazz Band, so put your dancing shoes on for this one!




To close the day at 7.30pm Beverley Beirne’s Stripey Animals headline the evening slot. Beverley Beirne is a jazz singer fast becoming known for her ability to innovate as for her stunning voice.  A truly gifted interpreter she sings a captivating mix of jazz standards and exciting interpretations from other genres.  She has sung at festivals around the country including Marsden Jazz Festival and Callander Jazz & Blues Festival.  Beverley is also due to be appearing at the prestigious Pizza Express Jazz Club, Soho (August 18th) with Saxophone legend Duncan Lamont and acclaimed London singer Esther Bennett.  
For the Jazz Day, Beverley is excited to be performing her new project The Stripey Animals, with exceptional northern musicians Ben Lowman (Tenor Saxophone), Adrian Knowles (Double Bass) and Matt Parkinson (Drums, Congas, Percussion).  The band do not include chorded instruments, following the format of Gerry Mulligan and Ornette Coleman's earlier works, but with the inclusion of a vocalist.  Thoughtfully chosen songs from rock, pop and musical theatre are amongst jazz standards and some originals to create exciting, edge of your seat performances!  Something different!  


DAY TICKETS AT £10 ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE IN ILKLEY AND ONLINE

Website details:
http://summerfestival.ilkley.org/
For more information and current updates also check the face book page
https://www.facebook.com/IlkleySummerFestivaJazzDay