The wall2wall Jazz Festival which takes between 1st and 4th September is a home grown jazz festival that takes place right here in Abergavenny. If you’re visiting Abergavenny for the National Eisteddfod, here’s a good reason to come back and visit us again! Mike Skilton of Black Mountain Jazz gives us the lowdown on this year’s lineup.
The Red Stripe Band will be headlining the Boogie Party
Jazz Alley
Last year it proved very popular, so again we are staging Jazz Alley – great music, good food, the festival bar and – most importantly – no entry charge. We are aiming for a repeat of 2015 and have Abergavenny’s Market Hall again packed and offering a wide variety of non-stop entertainment.
The opening Samba session promises to be exciting, with the opportunity of not only watching but also joining in. This is one of several off-stage acts for all to enjoy.
The KoGo Project
First on stage will be the exciting KoGo Project – who have a debut album, ‘Do It’, soon to be available – featuring a diverse range of jazz-funk grooves and some really tasty musicianship.
Baraka will take the stage later in the afternoon – a unique combination of musicians from Ghana, Senegal, Dominica, Trinidad and Southern Ireland. Truly a World music band, bringing together influences not only from Africa and the Caribbean, but also from Germany and Southern Ireland.
As well as great music, Jazz Alley will have its own festival bar and a selection of fine foods to enjoy.
So bookmark Sunday 4th September (11.30am to 6pm) for an afternoon at the Market Hall, where a great time is on offer – whatever the weather – and thanks to the support of the Town Council, it is totally free.
Boogie Party
For a great night, the festival’s closing Boogie Party is the answer. Also at the Market Hall (7.30pm to 10.30pm) and with the bar and food still available, this promises to be one of the festival programme highlights.
Headlining will be the Red Stripe Band, now in their 22nd year in the business. Their colourful career has seen their latest original CD “Soho Surprise” top at number 10 in the London Jazz Charts and their songs used on Radio and TV alike – including by Pizza Giant Papa Johns in the USA.
The Red Stripe Band has played at every Jazz and Blues festival in the UK and picked up best newcomer at Montreux Jazz Festival in 2010. So, expect to be entertained with both original songs and boogie, swing and rock-n-roll classics.
Tickets for the Boogie Party are £10. For more details, videos and the online box office visit www.wall2walljazz.co.uk.
Mike Skilton
