Burton Agnes Jazz and Blues Festival
6th, 7th and 8th August 2010
Burton Agnes Hall, Burton Agnes,
East Yorkshire, YO25 4NB
Burton Agness Hall Website
Burton Agnes Jazz and Blues Festival returns for a 4th year with another something-for-everyone line-up of artists set over 3 days in the most beautiful of surroundings. Set in the grounds of an historic Elizabethan hall, the festival is organised by its sax-playing owner Simon Cunliffe-Lister and jazz singer Saffron Byass.
“Though unequalled in England for its unspoilt beauty, the rolling countryside of the Yorkshire Wolds is not renowned as a hotbed of jazz. All that changed the weekend before last when a corner of the Wolds became Coolsville. Burton Agnes, an Elizabethan Hall near Bridlington, held a jazz festival on its manicured lawns... This is the only jazz event I know where your arrival is delayed by ducks crossing the road and performers are joined onstage by flitting bats... Possibly the most enjoyable jazz concert I've ever attended.”
Christopher Hirst, The Independent
Saturday evening’s line up offers the award-winning British jazz star and his new acoustic, straight-ahead outfit Dennis Rollins’ Velocity Trio headlining. Whilst obviously influenced by jazz and swing, Velocity Trio also incorporates a progressive, contemporary edge to its sound. With a small element of Dennis' trademark electronic stage craft (think Joshua Redman's Elastic project), Dennis Rollins’ Velocity Trio also features Ross Stanley on organ and young Portuguese drummer Pedro Segundo.
Friday 6th August 2010
6:30 - 8pm 5 Pieces of Silver
Formed in June 2008 5 pieces of Silver is a hot quintet dedicated to the 1960's Blue Note era of the great Horace Silver led by the Brazilian born pianist Zezo Olympio, a graduate of the Berklee Music College. James Lancaster has played trumpet with some of the UK’s finest jazz talent, as has saxophonist Simon Kaylor. Bass player Paul Baxter has toured worldwide and drummer Paul Smith has played America and the UK.
8:15 - 10pm Bass Man Family
Brainchild of siblings Dave & Kirsty, the Bass Man Family (BMF) have spent the past few years perfecting their material & line-up. The twelve strong collective fuse elements of jazz, soul, RnB, funk & pop to produce a sound revealing a rare blend of influences ranging from Jamiroquai, Supertramp & the Brand New Heavies to name just a few.
Saturday 7th August 2010
1:00 - 2:00pm Carlos Olmos & Matt Smith guitar duo
Jazz guitar duo featuring the cosmopolitan talent mix of Londoner Matt Smith and Bolivian Carlos Olmos.
2:45 - 4:15pm Anita Wardell
The Times describes Anita as a “singer who takes no prisoners". Anita Wardell's singing is exciting and breathtaking. She is noted for her mesmerizing and captivating vocal improvisations and vocalese lyrics to instrumental solos. Anita is a musician who uses the voice as her instrument, displaying precision and agility, mixed with heartfelt emotion. Anita received the prestigious BBC Jazz Award for Best of Jazz category in 2006. This coupled with the release of Kinda blue are now propelling Anita into the major artist arena.
"Pure bebop singing, displaying a musical mastery..." Peter Hepple, Stage and Television Today newspaper.
“Think of her, if you like, as the female equivalent of Mark Murphy." Clive Davis, The Times, London
4:30 - 6:00pm Little Axe (Skip Macdonald)
Known on stage as Little Axe, Skip McDonald has a raucous blues-based sound. Skip made his name as an integral part of the Sugar Hill house band playing on the most influential early rap classics and as part of Adrian Sherwood's On-U Sound crew he has made some of the most adventurous and praised UK music of the last twenty years. Little Axe is the return to the blues that Skip grew up with and learned from his father. Linked with artists such as Grandmaster Flash, Afrika Bambaata, Lee 'Scratch' Perry, James Brown, Robert Plant, Mark Stewart & The Mafia, Sinead O'Connor, and Megadeth Little Axe has made some of the most adventurous and praised UK music of the last twenty years.
"Prepare yourself for a “miasmic swirl of sound" - The Independent
6:15 - 8:15pm Al Woods Big Band
All but three members of the Al Woods Big Band are Leeds College of Music alumni - Lee Hallam, lead trombone; Mark Chandler, jazz trumpet and Bob Howard, drums. The Al Woods Big Band is a UK-based blues/ jazz big band led and formed by one of the most multi skilled musician – Al Wood. The act will feature new material written by the award winning band mainly Phil Steel - twice winner of the arranging prize in the BBC Big Band Competition, James Hamilton, our number one trumpet player and band leader Al Wood.
8:30 - 10:00pm Dennis Rollins
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Dennis’ trademark funk 'n' groove is admired on both the British and international jazz scene. Celebrated for his versatility and unique approach, Dennis has successfully established the underrated trombone as an exciting front-line instrument. In 2007, Dennis Rollins picked up Trombonist of the Year at both the British Jazz Awards and the Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Awards and was nominated twice in the 2008 Parliamentary Jazz Awards - for Jazz Musician of the Year and the Jazz Education Award; he won the latter in a ceremony hosted by Paul Gambaccini at the House of Commons Terrace Pavillion.
Dennis also appears in the handpicked horn section of the specially assembled outfit, Bandaged Together, on the official 2009 BBC Children in Need single, All You Need is Love. The single, a reworking of the Beatles classic, was recorded at the famous Abbey Road Studios, and also features Sir Terry Wogan, Aled Jones, Bill Wyman, Brian May, Bryan Ferry, Sharon Corr, Nick Mason, Clare Teal, Heather Smalls, Paloma Faith, Lee Mead, and Hayley Westenra.
“The rarest of jazz beasts: a genuine star” The Independent on Sunday
“Rollins plays fat and funky low down, rich and vibrant high up and with astounding precision.” London Jazz Review of London Jazz Festival
Sunday 8th August 2010
12 - 1:30pm Rob Law Trio
Rob Law on piano, Paul Baxter on bass and Kris Wright (drums). Rob is an accomplished piano player and has earned himself a reputation as one of the country’s most exciting young artists. The group will be performing a mixture of Jazz, Soul and Latin.
1:45 - 3:15pm Clare Teal
Jazz Vocalist of the Year three times running, the sensational Clare Teal brings her unique blend of warm humour and great music to the stage, backed by the finest jazz musicians in the land. The Radio 2 personality and columnist has cut a reputation as one of the most talented performers to emerge in recent years. With sparkling arrangements and a glorious mix of old classics and fabulous originals, Clare’s show certainly swings and is not one to be missed.
“The New Queen of Swing” – Mail on Sunday
“A Triple Threat!” - Michael Buble
“One of the best vocal talents to emerge from the UK in a long, long while.” Sir Michael Parkinson
3:30 - 4:45pm Omar Puente & Robert Mitchell
The award winning pianist Robert Mitchell and Cuban violinist Omar Puente come together to create a spellbinding and truly remarkable talent. “Pianist Mitchell has assembled a totally original-sounding multinational , multicoloured and multirhythmic group” . Jazz Express
“Mitchell is a very important influential musician and a great live performer whose gone from strength to strength. A great composer.” Gilles Peterson, BBC Radio 4
5:00 - 6:00pm Safari with guest Simon Cunliffe-Lister
Organisers Saffron and Simon play out their festival.
For up to date info please visit the Burton Agnes Hall Website here
Festival Tickets info
Weekend Advance Ticket: Friday 6pm -10pm, Saturday 11am - 10pm, Sunday 11am - 6pm. Before 1st July - £30 / After June 30th - £40
Day Ticket: Saturday 11am -10pm. Before 1st July - £25 / After June 30th - £30
Day Ticket: Sunday 11am - 6pm. Before 1st July - £20 / After June 30th - £25
Evening Ticket: Friday 6 pm - 10pm Saturday 6pm - 10pm. Before 1st July - £15 / After June 30th - £20
Concessions: OAP’s, Season ticket holders, students, children 12-15 years (Under 12 FREE with an adult). £2 off any ticket
Camping Voucher: Camping open Friday 3pm - Monday noon Before 1st July - £20 / After June 30th £25
Available online at the Burton Agnes Hall Website and from the Festival Ticket Office Tel: 01262 490 324
Or Visit Burton Agnes Hall and its courtyard shops.
With 11 bands and solo artists over three days, and performances in the Elizabethan Hall and its beautiful grounds, you can experience the diverse range of laid-back entertainment that inspired the Independent to write that the 2007 Festival was ‘Possibly the most enjoyable jazz concert I've ever attended’ .
The large stage on the Main Lawn in the Hall's award-winning grounds is where you’ll see the Festival’s main acts. With rolling fields behind the stage and pristine woodland to the side, you couldn’t ask for a more stunning setting. Inside the Hall, intimate acoustic performances mix with original Elizabethan carvings and French Impressionist art to create an inimitable festival experience. Festival-goers are invited to picnic in the grounds whilst enjoying the music, and a campsite in the field adjacent to the Hall offers panoramic views of the Yorkshire Wolds, and there are shower facilities for those wishing to pitch a tent for a night or the whole weekend. Festival tickets also entitle festivalgoers entry to the Hall and its beautiful gardens, and award-winning local produce is on sale throughout the three-day festival, including the famous Wold Top beer.
‘Burton Agnes Hall hosts a year-round programme of events, including the Gardeners' Fair in June, Michaelmas Fair in October and our Christmas, Snowdrop and Easter Egg Openings; the Jazz and Blues Festival is a summer celebration of great music in keeping with these events’ says Simon. ‘We have a varied line-up of over 11 bands and solo artists; our hope is that people will find the well-chosen music on offer particularly enjoyable in this beautiful setting’.
Last year, families flocked to the Burton Agnes Jazz Festival for the safe, easy-going vibe. Of particular interest to children, is a Children’s Corner with play area; 15 acres of magical gardens to explore including a walled garden with maze, jungle garden and giant games; and a woodland walk with forest creatures to find. Face painters and a children’s entertainer will also be on hand during the weekend to keep the children amused whilst you enjoy some of the finest Jazz and Blues music in the most beautiful and tranquil of surroundings.
“Burton Agnes Hall ranks among the finest, and best presented, houses in England. It is the perfect English house, embodying the climax of the final great age of domestic architecture.”
Simon Jenkins, England's Thousand Best Houses
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