Jazz, delicious hot....
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Jazz traditionally forms the mainstay of the Hertford Music Festival and this year’s event will serve up a feast for connoisseurs of the genre.
Swiss guitar ace Nicholas Meier, backed by a stellar international line-up comprising Gilad Atzmon (saxophones), Tom Mason (bass) and Asaf Sirkis (drums), will get the party started with ‘Jazz at the boathouse’ in Broxbourne on Thursday, May 1, before the show moves on to the Panshanger Golf Complex in Herns Lane, Welwyn Garden City, for the return of ‘Jazz at the Fairway’ with the Bobby Wellins Quartet on May 4.
Jazz returns to Hertford on the afternoon of Sunday, May 4 when the Keith Michael Trio performs free at The Corn Exchange and experienced musicians are invited to join them on stage. A few days later, on Thursday, May 8, Graeme Culham’s jazz quintet will set up at The Old Barge pub in Hertford with their fusion of Latin and Be-Bop influences. Then on May 5, The Hertford Music Festival’s Musical Mystery Tour will showcase Keith Michael and his Very Special Guests at The Corn Exchange, Hertford.
Next stop is The Fairway where the Steve Fishwick Quartet featuring American piano ace Hodd O’Brien with Steve Fishwick on trumpet cooks up a storm on May 11. The following week sees the Bruce Adams Quintet, featuring Alan Barnes on saxes, at the same venue (May 18), followed by the Peter King Quartet the week after (May 25).
The month-long musical extravaganza continues with the Opus One Band’s Anniversary concert at the Castle Hall, Hertford, on May 2, while the following day (May 3) sees the return of the Wildeshausen Gospel Choir who are joined by the Hertford Voices for a special concert at Haileybury Chapel.
The Festival’s popular Musical Mystery Tour of Hertford will provide a musical banquet taking in a host of pubs, clubs and music venues on Bank Holiday Monday, May 5, and will be supported this year by the Hertford Arts Society, which is promoting musical events of its own alongside its annual art exhibition. Meanwhile, talented young vocalists and musicians will be able to tread the boards at the Hertford Music Festival’s Young Soloists’ competition on Saturday, May 10, at the Simon Balle School’s new music room.
The Hertford Music Festival’s popular Battle of the Young Bands will see young pop and rock combos fighting for their place on Hertford’s staircase of talent throughout the May festival. Part-funded by East Herts Council and sponsored by Giggear, The Cream Room recording studios, Graphic Nature Rehearsal and Recording Studios, Insomnia Music and the Hertford Marquee, the competition includes prizes such as recording and rehearsal time, Giggear ‘goodie bags’ and a chance for the overall winning band to play at Rock at the Castle on Sunday, August 3.
Presented by Kev Saunders with East Herts Council, the popular monthly Strum City showcase event should draw the usual eclectic crowd of established national and international names and aspiring songwriters when it takes place in the foyer of the Castle Hall on May 20. Artists will be announced.
Rock music fans with longer memories will get their air guitars out for the UK’s leading Hendrix tribute band ‘Are You Experienced’ (stars of BBC 2’s Arena recent special programme on tribute bands) when they crank out the numbers made famous by the ‘60s rock legend at Hertford Marquee for one night only on May 16. The band’s ‘Jimi-John’ Campbell even sets his Stratocaster on fire Hendrix-style!
The Hertford Music Festival reaches its climax at Hertford’s traditional Fun Day, taking centre stage in the grounds of Hertford Castle, when the Richard Hale Big Band will entertain a family audience and the winners of this year’s Young Soloists’ competition will be revealed and their prizes presented by sponsors Playsomething and Allabout property.com.
The Hertford Music Festival, which this year celebrates its 15th birthday, is again sponsored by Universal Office Automation and grant aided by Hertford Town Council. Creative design and the official Hertford Music Festival 2008 logo are sponsored by The Rockfish Creative Consultancy.
Festival programmes and tickets for many events will be available from the Tourist Information Centre in Market Place, the Hertford Marquee, from venues and from other designated outlets. Performers or sponsors wishing to be involved in the Hertford Music Festival, Strum City, the Young Musicians Competition or the Fun Day event should contact the Festival’s Music Director Kev Saunders by e-mail: kev@kevsaunders.co.uk
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