The tried and tested; the cutting edge;small and big bands; songs and solos; blues and tango jazz; light and shade; laughs and poignancy – this year’s sixth Scarborough Jazz Festival has it all. Jazz musicians of the very highest calibre will sparkle in the wonderful Victorian Scarborough Spa.

 

 

Top vocalist Clare Teal and the prestigious BBC Big Band will highlight the Friday night preceded by the exciting ‘Tribute to Atlantic Jazz’. Thereafter it’s quality sound vibes all the way. Compere and multi-award winning reeds player Alan Barnes will make his usual witty and insightful introductions starting on Saturday afternoon with the popular Julie Edwards and Kevin Dearden Quintet. Later two young pianists receiving lots of national attention will lead their own groups: Jamil Sheriff with his Octet and Tom Cawley with his trio ‘Curios’.

 

Saturday’s biggies are undoubtedly the fourteen-piece Guy Barker Jazz Orchestra, comprising some of the finest UK jazzers, and saxophone superstar Courtney Pine’s band finishing the evening with ‘A Tribute to Sidney Bechet’.

 

 

On Sunday afternoon there will be passionate improvisation from the UK’s leading tango ensemble ‘Tango Siempre’. Then comes the band everyone is talking about – ‘ … the sharp dressers bringing a sense of style back to jazz’ according to the Guardian’s John Fordham – the quintet ‘Empirical’.

 

And the Sunday evening festival finish must be about the best yet. Alan Barnes’ Ellingtonians, an eight-piece band with stunning ensemble and solo playing, bring in the evening. The acclaimed Claire Martin, for many the finest UK jazz singer. climactically ends the programme with the exceptional Gareth Williams Trio.

 

This year, for the first time, the Festival is extending its programme to include the three 2008 Jazz Services Promoters’ Choices. Here is an opportunity to hear how much new UK talent is on the way up with: trombonist Gareth Williams lusty quintet; pianist Alcyona Mick’s intriguing compositions and swinging bop; and the brilliant Indo-Jazz fusion band ‘Free Spirits’.

 

If you want to be where it’s at – keep this weekend free.

For the Full Line Up go to the programme section of the site.