Wall2Wall Jazz Festival
Kings Head / Melville Centre, Abergavenny
Mon 26 Aug-Sun 1 Sept
Abergavenny promoters Black Mountain Jazz see the summer off with Wall2wall, their annual week-long jazz festival. The lineup both explores and eclipses the genre this year, with groups confirmed to play including the John-Paul Gard Trio and the Sicknote Steve Bluegrass trio. A likely highlight, making her debut for BMJ, is Lady Nade pictured with an exclusive set, Tribute To The Blues Dames. This young Bristolian musician will be paying tribute to the likes of Sister Rosetta Tharpe on Tue 27 Aug.
For a more upbeat tempo you can look forward to The Big Bluesy Jazz Band on Sat 31. This performance sees trombonist Dennis Rollins playing alongside various young and upcoming musicians. Workshops, run by singer Naomi Rae, will include fun activities for younger children as well as gospel singing, and to switch it up a bit, some tango jazz.
On Thurs 29, dinner is served at the Angel Hotel, at which jazz vocalist Ian Shaw will be performing. Other acts include songwriter Sarah Gillespie, whose poetic melange of jazz, blues and folk arrives on Sat 31. To close the festival, the Renewal Choir will be singing gospel tunes to soothe the soul on Sun 1 Sept, followed by the Wales-originated, Manchester-based Claire Victoria Duo.
Tickets: prices vary. Info: www.blackmountainjazz.co.uk (JG)
