Jazz Festival Line-Up Announced
Big names come to free concert at Imperial Wharf
The Imperial Wharf Jazz Festival will take place on Thursday September 16 and Saturday September 18.
St George, the company which built the riverside development is hosting the free festival for the sixth year running and promises two days of great music from some of the world’s most creative jazz musicians.
The two day programme will begin on Thursday with the versatility and unique approach of Dennis Rollins Badbone & Co with the talented vocalist Alexander Stewart.
The entertainment will continue on Saturday with one of Britain’s leading Latin Jazz performers Snowboy and the Latin Section, the return of Gwyneth Herbert Quartet, hailed as "brilliantly original" by Mojo magazine and Get the Blessing, recent winners in the BBC Jazz Awards, along with world-class gypsy swing ensemble Trio Manouche with special guests and the highly accomplished Tony Kofi. Sarah Ellen Hughes will also perform songs from her acclaimed debut album.
As well as enjoying the music in the Wharf's main boulevard, visitors can stop for a meal at one of its restaurants, choosing from Thai food at Saran Rom, Indian at Memories of India or great pub grub in the Waterside bar and restaurant.
The Jazz Festival has been programmed and produced in partnership with St George by leading event production company ESIP, who were also also behind the international concert series Made in the UK.
PROGRAMME
Thursday September 16 (6pm- 10pm)
Dennis Rollins Badbone & Co
Hailed as Britain's most exciting trombonist for decades, Dennis is a versatile player, comfortable performing in many styles and his sound is heard to full effect on his band Badbone and Co's blend of groove based funky dance music with jazz overtones.
Alexander Stewart
At 22, Alexander is already creating a buzz with a voice rooted in Sinatra and Connick with a touch of Kurt Elling and Michael Buble.
Saturday 18th September (1pm -10pm)
Snowboy and the Latin Section
Snowboy, the UK's Ambassador of Afro-Cuban Jazz, leads a band which has recently been described as one of the top Latin Jazz acts in the world, alongside Eddie Palmieri and Bobby Sanabria.
Gwyneth Herbert Quartet
Gwyneth Herbert, whose voice was recently dubbed " a knowing mix of honey, steel and gravel" is the vanguard of a new generation of young jazz and folk influenced singer-songwriters.
Get the Blessing
This popular Bristol based jazz rock quartet were formed when the rythm section from the band Portishead teamed up with saxophone player Jake McMurchie and trumpeter Pete Judge over their mutual admiraiton for Ornette Coleman.
Trio Manouche with Special Guests
A world-class gypsy swing ensemble performing the works of Django Reinhardt and their own up-beat original compositions in the style of Hot Club de France.
Tony Kofi Trio
Tony is a multi-instrumentalist, able to play soprano, alto, and baritone saxophone and flute with equal dexterity and accomplishment, and his trio, which also consists of drummer Winston Clifford and organist Anders Olinder, make what one reviewer called "a fiery, multi-layered noise, but they know when to bring it down to a whisper, such is the ingenuity of their arrangements".
Sarah Ellen Hughes
Londoner Sarah has just released her debut album Darning the Dream, a mixture of standard songs and original tunes which show off the versatility which makes her unique and defies easy categorisation.
