The list of musicians that they have presented, from Agata Krwawnik to Zoltan Dekany is absolutely staggering.
Beautifully produced brochures and flyers that we have received for Autumn programmes at Sheffield and Derby Jazz, remind us, along with Scarborough's brochure, just how much work these voluntary regional organisations put in to keep the UK jazz scene healthy.
Reproduced with the kind permission of Jazz UK
We think the programme has been terrific. We have promoted:
- Some of the finest British Jazz: Esther Miller with Steve Melling on keyboards; The Jim Mullen Organ Trio; Alan Barnes; Milestones; The Dylan Howe Quintet; Tony Greenwood's 'We free Kings'; and the legendary Alan Skidmore.
- As part of our declared policy, some exciting young bands: 'Partikel' with Duncan Eagles; 'Yoruba' (part of Jazz Yorkshire's Jazz Futures project); Matt Anderson Quartet; 'Jazz Aesthetic' (Hull University 12-piece led by Peter Elsdon); and the Jamie Toms Band.
- Front-line pairings: some we've had before - Julie Edwards and Kevin Dearden, Ron Burnett with Greg Wadman; some new - Jim Birkett and Frank Brooker, Pat McCarthy with Rick Woolgar.
- Our Scarborough Literature Festival link: 'Jazz and Dr Johnson'
- New soloists: Russell Bennett; Kate Peters and Kari Macari; with Tina Featherstone to come.
We have continued our successful players' nights and Christmas Party which give an opportunity for jazz musicians of all standards to perform. The last one in June 2011 was absolutely fantastic with more than twenty sitters-in and a packed venue.
The Scarborough Jazz Committee is well aware that our future success is dependent on your support. The next AGM will be in November (date to be announced). Please come along and if you feel you have something to contribute get someone to nominate you for the committee.
Finally, I would like to give special thanks to Dick Armstrong for writing the copy for our programmes and the Scarborough Evening News and for producing brilliant reviews of our highlight events; Marian Gordon for her unstinting work behind the scenes, mailing out information and preparing poster content; our treasurer Dave Stroud; Bob Walker, our secretary, for the wonderful sound quality he produces (and his bass playing isn't bad!); Carol Draper for raising so much essential money on the raffle; Mick Draper for setting up and putting to bed our stage equipment; and to all the other committee members for their contributions. And also to David Baker who does such wonderful job with this website.
We would welcome any ideas to improve Scarborough Jazz.
Mike Gordon
Scarborough Jazz at the Cask Promoter
Scarborough Jazz Festival Director
