Bristol Jazz and Blues Festival Announces 2017 Programme
Posted on: 17 Feb 2017We take a look at the programme for next month's Bristol Jazz and Blues Festival and select a quite-marvellous quartet of highlights from the four days of music filling the city between the 16th - 19th March.
The Bristol Jazz and Blues Festival swings back into town next month, retaining its reputation as one of the finest fixtures in the city’s cultural calendar. The folks behind it have just released a full programme of the events taking place across various venues between the 16th and 19th March, with the sheer number of shows alone appearing slightly overwhelming. Luckily though, we’ve picked our favourite quartet of gigs to help you plan your festival effectively - read on for our guide.
Quantic - O2 Academy, 16th March
Whilst the name Quantic might not sound synonymous with jazz and blues, the collaborative ethos and diligent ethic, with which Will Holland labours under this moniker, is. As such, the house producer is bringing an assortment of novel and classic tracks to the O2 Academy on the Thursday of the festival, which he will perform live with a virtuoso band and long time partner in crime Alice Russell. This very special performance is not one to miss.
Kirk Fletcher / Mud Morganfield - Colston Hall, 18th March
It is no exaggeration to say that, in terms of blues acumen, this is a concert of epic proportions. Kirk Fletcher is one of the living legends of the genre, while Mud Morganfield (above), the first-born son of the late Muddy Waters, could hardly have helped becoming one if he tried. For one evening they will share the stage at Colston Hall, treating its audience to a smorgasbord of soulful classics.
Bobby Shew Remembers Dizzy Gillespie - Colston Hall, 19th March
Before the queen that is Macy Gray takes over Colston Hall’s auditorium later on the Sunday evening, its guests will be given an altogether brassier treat. One of the world’s greatest living trumpeters pays tribute to one of the greatest to have left us, as Bobby Shew performs classic tracks by Dizzy Gillespie to celebrate what would have been the latter’s 100th birthday.
Macy Gray - Colston Hall, 19th March
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I tried to write this preview without referencing one of Macy Gray’s classic hits - but I crumbled. Macy Gray is in possession of one of the most distinctive voices to have emerged in the new millennium, with her signature rasp enticing ears alongside Erykah Badu and the other prominent figures in the neo-soul revival. More recently she has embraced the bluesier aspects of her sound in the run-up to the release of her latest album Stripped, which has seen her work with a world-beating jazz ensemble (including Russell Malone and Wallace Roney) to create pared-down versions of her classic songs, a perfect way to close the festival.
The Bristol Jazz and Blues Festival will take place between March 16th - 19th. To see the complete programme click here, or to buy tickets for any of the above events, click here.
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An ardent Geordie minus the accent, Sam seemingly strove to get as far away from the Toon as possible, as soon as university beckoned. Three undergraduate years at UoB were more than ample time for Bristol (as it inevitably does) to get under his skin, and so here he remains: reporting, as Assistant Editor, on the cultural happenings which so infatuated him with the city. Catch him at sam@365bristol.com.
