Festival Reviews

Loved art's quartet gig at the Slug and Lettuce, i took my daughter and got right at the front for the last set.Wonderful music from great players.
Art Themen, Steve Boyer, Leamington spa

Hearing the strains of music as I approached the Lord Clifden on Monday evening I thought that Charlie Parker had come back to life. Then I realised that Bird had never quite played this way. Not surprising as he has not been around for half a century. In the intervening years bebop certainly has achieved a new and most exciting pitch and the influence of Greg Abate is a major factor. Greg has wide experience as a session musician and in backing such stars as Ray Charles so can play any music on any reed or woodwind. On Monday night he played alto, soprano and flute but mainly alto. He treated us to such numbers as Confirmation and was a real treat for an enthusiastic audience of bebop lovers which included a very attentive Steve Adjao amongst others. Greg was ably supported by The John Patrick trio. We were treated to two phenomenal sets which kept me awake for hours with the music reverberating repeatedly in my memory.
Ross Skeaping, Bonar Bridge

Pee Wee Ellis turned in an incredible perfomance at Birmingham’s Star City on Sunday. I hadn’t heard him play before (as a solo artist) but was well aware of his musical pedigree – ex James Brown MD (where he picked up the title ‘The Man Who Invented Funk’), sideman to Van Morrison etc. He didn’t disappoint for a moment and played two great sets, made up almost exclusively of jazz numbers. Pee Wee studied with the great Sonny Rollins way back in 1957 and his R&B re-working of jazz had a huge influence on the likes of George Clinton and Sly Stone. That the Birmingham International Jazz Festival was hosting him for free was a reminder (not that you’d need one) of just how special this festival is.

His band on Sunday was also extremely impressive. With Gareth Williams on piano, Laurence Cottle on bass as well the hugely talented Mark Mondesir on drums, the crowd knew from the off that it was witnessing something very special. And it was great to see Pee Wee and his band clearly enjoying themselves in the somewhat unusual setting of Star City. Many thanks to the venue and the Jazz Festival for putting on this great show.
Pee Wee Ellis at Star City, Philip Parkin, Birmingham

What a great way to spend a few hours in the sunshine. Very entertaining music – much enjoyed!
Jeanie Barton Quartet, Barbara Cox, Beeston

Superb set by Alan and his band as usual. With excellant special guest appearance by Steve Ajao.
Alan Barnes Quartet, Ian Rocky, Solihull

Read 2008’s reviews



* Denotes a required field

Festival Newsletter

Subscribe to our email newsletter to get all the festival updates.

Where’s it on?

Need to find a festival venue? Click here...