It’s here – the 26th Birmingham International Jazz & Blues Festival 2010 – yep it might be a long name but it should perhaps be even longer, as the music on offer ranges from mainstream jazz and pure blues to funk, rhythm & blues and even a one-man Jimi Hendrix band.
There are musicians from all over the world, they are playing all over the city and in every conceivable kind of venue, and in the streets as well.
There is far too much to cover in depth in this small space so here are some of the names I’ll be looking out for:
Alan Barnes – the saxophonist who started out with Humph and has played with nearly everyone since, is a regular at the BIJ&BF. Expect a tune in tribute to his late lamented collaborator, playwright Alan Plater.
Chick Willis – cousin of the late Chuck, one of the friendliest bluesmen around, Willis hails from Georgia and it’s always on his mind.
Dave O’Higgins – whether he is collaborating with dancers or dealing out tenor saxophone solos with the BBC Big Band, Birmingham-born Dave gives it all.
Digby Fairweather – It’s hard to imagine a BIJ&BF without the trumpeter, raconteur and now Festival Patron as well. Look out for the scarf if it’s not too hot, and listen for some of the most natural jazz trumpet around.
Dixie Ticklers – Young men playing old music – that’s what you get with Dom James lively band who find something relevant for the 21st century in the old charts of Kid Ory, Sidney Bechet, Louis Armstrong et al.
Drake University Big Band – American college bands are scarily good and this one has appeared at Montreux and the North Sea festivals.
Greg Abate – US saxophonist who early on was lead alto in the Ray Charles Orchestra and now mixes making Grammy-nominated albums with being Prof of Jazz Studies at Rhode Island College.
James Morton’s Porkchop – The Bristol saxophonist leads a classic organ trio and makes very exciting music indeed – think James Taylor Quartet with more jazz in it.
Jerry Senfluk – Swing clarinettist and jazz educator born in Prague and a frequent visitor to these shores.
Martin Taylor – The uncannily fluent guitar virtuoso first made his name in Stephane Grappelli’s band and has since become synonymous with jaw-dropping and accessible jazz guitar.
Simon Spillett – He learned at the side of a veteran of British jazz, Vic Ash, but is most often linked to the late Tubby Hayes, whose rambunctious tenor style he has been inspired by. Now, he is very much his own man.
Lewis Floyd Henry – He might not be jazz but he might just become as big as Seasick Steve. He plays with his teeth, Hendrix style, while operating a mini-drum set with his feet.
You can find out where all these players and many more are playing – and they are mostly playing in a selection of venues over the next ten days – by going to www.birminghamjazzfestival.com
It’s going to be a great gig at the George IV in Lichfield this evening. Trumpeter Percy Pursglove has his organ trio – Ross Stanley on organ, Andy Bain on drums here with a very special guest – alto saxophonist Jon Irabagon.
