The 1st Annual Bristol International Jazz & Blues Festival | March 1st – 3rd, 2013

Headlining the festival are US guitarist John Scofield’s Organic Trio, Cuban trumpeter Arturo Sandoval and Cream drummer Ginger Baker. Alongside these are a host of artists covering straight-ahead, contemporary, funk, Latin and trad jazz as well as blues, offering a wide range of first class music for jazz lovers across the board.

The three day festival has been programmed by guitarist Denny Ilett together with festival director Colin Gorrie and is presented in association with Bristol Music Trust which now runs the City’s Bristol’s main music venue, Colston Hall. The festival has been awarded Arts Council support through Grants for the Arts.

The festival plays host to an exciting mix of international and UK artist and throughout the weekend there will be non-stop music in both Colston Hall’s two auditoriums as well as free events in the striking new foyer space.

It is something of a coup that the festival has secured one of only two European dates by the legendary trumpeter Arturo Sandoval. Born in Cuba, now a US citizen, Arturo Sandoval is one of the world’s foremost trumpet stylists. A former protégé of the great Dizzy Gillespie, Sandoval has recorded over 40 albums and worked with artists as diverse as Herbie Hancock, Stan Getz, Tony Bennett, Gloria Estefan, Justin Timberlake, Alicia Keys, Patti LaBelle and Frank Sinatra. His position as a major representative of both North and Central American music was stamped by a recent performance at the White House for President Obama.

The performance by John Scofield’s Organic Trio – featuring the great Larry Goldings on Hammond organ and legendary drummer Greg Hutchinson – is part of his European tour with only two UK dates. After performing with Miles Davis’ band with which he toured and recorded from 1982-1985, Scofield has led his own groups and recorded over 30 albums as bandleader. Collaborations with such artists as Pat Metheny, Eddie Harris, Medeski Martin & Wood & Bill Frisell have established him as one of the most adventurous and original musicians in jazz history.

Ginger Baker returns to the stage with his new band following their sell-out residency at Ronnie Scotts in 2012. Ginger Baker’s Jazz Confusion features the famous hell raiser of the ‘60’s alongside tenor saxophonist Pee Wee Ellis, Alec Dankworth on bass and Ghanaian percussionist Abass Dodoo in a band that will bring the house down with their powerful fusion of Jazz and African rhythms
One of the Festival’s special projects includes a celebration of Duke Ellington’s Sacred Music. Ellington wrote three sacred works between 1965 & 1973 describing them as “the most important thing I have ever done”. This performance will feature a selection from all three of these works, performed by the 16-piece Big Buzzard Big band led by Andy Williamson and featuring the cream of south-west jazz talent. The City Of Bristol Choir will perform Ellington’s libretto, a combination of bible passages and the Duke’s own words. The featured vocal soloist is queen of the jazz and breakbeat scene, Yolanda Quartey who has worked with Bugz in the Attic and Massive Attack as well as in her own band Phantom Limb. The concert also features a special appearance by UK tap dancing sensation Junior Laniyan.

Alongside the international artists, there is a great selection of some of the UK’s leading talents. Bristol musicians with international reputations lead the way with rock groove outfit Get The Blessing and Andy Sheppard’s Trio Libero featuring Seb Rochford and Michel Benita.

First class trad jazz is featured with appearances by several renowned names. A performance by The Big Chris Barber Band represents the sixtieth anniversary of Chris Barber’s first performance in Bristol. Musician, author and broadcaster Alyn Shipton brings the Buck Clayton Legacy Band. Former Count Basie trumpeter and collaborator of Billie Holiday, Buck Clayton passed on a book full of original compositions and arrangements to Alyn after he had completed Clayton’s biography. After the trumpeter’s death, Alyn felt compelled to celebrate Clayton’s life by dusting off the arrangements and forming a band to play them which features UK stalwart Alan Barnes alongside Matthias Seuffert, sax Menno Daams & Ian Smith, trumpets, Adrian Fry, trombone; Martin Litton, piano; Martin Wheatley, guitar; Bobby Worth, drums.. The Bateman Brothers Jazz Band pays tribute to Louis Armstrong, with a heartfelt tribute to the great Satchmo focusing on the “All Stars” years from 1947 to his death in 1971.

Funk and blues have a key position in the festival’s programme from universally loved James Brown saxophonist Pee Wee Ellis who performs with Claire Teal, to New Orleans’ musical ambassador Lillian Boutté. Following in the footsteps of the gospel and blues greats, and likened to Mahalia Jackson and Aretha Franklin, Boutté has appeared alongside performers including Dr John and The Neville Brothers.
Rated alongside Eric Clapton as one of the top ten British blues guitarists of all time, Matt Schofield will perform with his trio. The winner of British Blues awards in 2010 & 2011 for best guitarist and best album has performed with the likes of Robben Ford and Buddy Guy and is one of the hottest names to watch out for.