words: MIKE SMITH
Getting live music back to the docklands is the driving passion of the organisers of the Butetown Bay Heritage Jazz Festival that takes place this coming Bank Holiday weekend (Sat 30 Apr-Sun 1 May).
“It’s about bringing the music back to the people,” said singer, educator and Radio Cardiff Jazz presenter Humie Webbe, who along with singer and author, Patti Flynn, set up the festival three years ago. “We want to bring the live jazz tradition, once such a characteristic of the old Tiger Bay, into 21st century Cardiff Bay,” added Patti Flynn.
On both Saturday and Sunday, the festival takes over the Wales Millennium Centre, welcoming people of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy two days of free workshops and music from premier local talent as well as national and international professional jazz musicians, singers and DJs.
“Butetown was once a hive of activity and live music,” said Humie. “From venues like Casablanca and The Point so many have now gone – or if not gone they have moved to a different type of venue. If there is singing it is with a backing track rather than having live musicians.”
The Festival is hosted at the Wales Millennium Centre in the heart of Cardiff Bay. But Humie says local people very rarely go there, and so she’s delight that the Centre enthusiastically supports the Festival with no interference that could dilute its ethos.
That ethos includes ensuring activities and performances span the age ranges: “The docklands was a hive of all sorts of music and it is important that just once in a while, there is the opportunity for people to see live music performed by people of all ages. The Sunday starts with the young and moves on to the professional bands and performers.”
This year’s Festival combines a day of workshops including National Youth Jazz Wales working with two young Butetown musicians Leroy Rahmon and Miles Andam, lyric writing and singing for children aged eight to13 years.
The Festival also aims to help musicians with other skills. On Saturday, Cult Cymru are running an informal workshop for anyone confused by social networking and for those who want to learn how to market themselves online. Booking beforehand is recommended and workshop registration on the day is at 10.30am.
On Sunday the Wales Millennium Centre opens its doors to all with more than 90 performers taking part in the Festival. Highlights include National Youth Jazz Wales led by Abram Wilson of Tomorrow’s Warriors and Percy Pursglove; UK Award-winning jazz dance troupe, The Floor Technicians; Newport-based jazz group, This Bass; Stainless Steve, featuring Julie Gordon performing bluegrass and soul music; Swinging Jazz with the Bay Divas; Li Harding and The Gary Phillips Trio performing dynamic jazz and blues; Lively gypsy jazz with Five Go Swing and African jazz combo Wase.
“We are also including dance and people can get involved in Caribbean dance as well. On Sunday Dance Floor Technicians are doing two spots. They perform very acrobatic dance reminiscent of the 1940s, jitterbug style,” Humie added.
“We are focusing on our Caribbean hearts and our Celtic roots and Appalachian and Caribbean jazz. We are also recognising that the Cardiff docks area was also the home of the Irish community and gypsy travellers as well – the Festival is about the people as well as the area.”
The organisers are particularly keen that young people are heavily involved: “We are pleased we have got True Warriors working with National Jazz Wales. In Saturday’s workshop being held in the Urdd, National Youth Jazz Wales will be playing music that they are learning by ear; the whole ensemble is learning the music.”
Butetown Bay Jazz Heritage Festival takes place at the Wales Millennium Centre on Sat 30 Apr with workshops from 11am to 4pm and an all-day concert is on Sun 1 May from 11 am to 11 pm. Visit or contact the Ticket Office on Info: 029 2063 6464 / www.wmc.org.uk / www.butetownbayjazz.co.uk