Active Living Centre, Pontypool
Fri 2-Sun 4 Sept
Following the success of the last two years, Torfaen will once again be jumping to the beat of the Pontypool Jazz Festival this September. Formerly Pontypool Jazz In The Park, the three-day celebration of swing, Latin and blues now adopts a less weather-dependent stance, filling the Active Living Centre’s every corner with trios and septets, choirs and crooners, trombone slides and maracas. With Welsh-born and Welsh-based musicians as this year’s focus it’s all about the homegrown talent.
Taking a Friday night off from Strictly Come Dancing (they’re the official live tour group) to get the show on the road Matt Monro style is Jeff Hooper’s Swing Easy Big Band, a firm favourite in the local jazz scene. RWCMD graduates join the Byron Jones Big Band for a spot of Duke Ellington on Saturday with vocalist and trumpeter Charlotte Keefe taking the spotlight, Miles Davis Tribute feat. Jonathan Crespo revisits his classics from the 50s through to the 80s and saxophonist Snake Davis brings his octet The Suspicions to the main hall stage.
On Sunday Paul Hornsby directs the Greater Gwent Youth Jazz Orchestra, the Junior Jazz Suite plays host to the best of the young talent and rising star vocalist Clare Hingott strides through The Great American Songbook with support from the acclaimed Graham Watkins Quartet.
Tickets: stroller pass £8, Fri concert £15. Info: 01633 868239 (SE)