Brecon Jazz Festival has just celebrated its 30th anniversary in style, with ticket sales up 20% and a high number of sell-out gigs. Even the weather – the tail end of Hurricane Bertha dumped a lake-full of rain on the mid-Wales town on the final day – couldn’t dampen spirits. Continue reading
The latest chapter of the rebooted Planet of the Apes series has been hailed as the ultimate summer blockbuster of 2014 – Dawn of the Planet of the Apes boasts lots of action, expensive CGI and even a 3D version. Continue reading
As Brecon Jazz celebrates its 30th anniverary next month, it also acknowledges a (possibly) even more significant milestone in Welsh cultural history – the 100th anniversary of Dylan Thomas’ birth. Dylan Thomas 100 is a year-long celebration to mark the centenary of Wales’ greatest poet, and Brecon pays its own respects with a Dylan Thomas … Continue reading
We’ve all heard the cliche about that “difficult second album”. Imagine how the challenges are multiplied with that difficult second jazz festival. Yet, Love Supreme II was again supreme. The inaugural Love Supreme Festival in July 2013 was such a success, I gave it a glowing 10 out of 10. It was the UK’s first … Continue reading
With the Love Supreme Festival just days away, it’s time to start thinking about where you want to be when. Can I see Jamie Cullum and Snarky Puppy? Will I miss Laura Mvula, if I see Incognito? Such are the dilemmas of a multi-stage event with top-class jazz, soul and R&B acts at every turn. … Continue reading
Gregory Porter is probably the hottest male-vocal property on the jazz scene in 2014 – and he’s likely to be especially hot in his trademark suit and hat when he performs at both Love Supreme and Brecon Jazz this summer! His appeal is clear – a charismatic personality, with an intriguing back-story, and a voice…. … Continue reading
Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho has, no doubt, fuelled many nightmares since its release 50-plus years ago, but the only Psycho-related nightmare I have is that one day someone might turn it into a musical. I find musicals disturbing at the best of times (except Singin’ in the Rain, of course), but imagine a musical about Norman’s … Continue reading
A further impressive chunk of the Love Supreme Festival line-up has been announced, with De la Soul, Incognito and Imelda May among the names grabbing my attention. Jazz FM‘s greenfield festival of jazz, soul, blues and more is back at Glynde Place in Sussex (July 4-6) for its second year, having been given a glowing … Continue reading
One of the funniest gags in the Mel Brooks classic Blazing Saddles (and there are plenty to choose from) must be the running joke about the character Hedley Lamarr – that’s Hedley, not Hedy! Supposedly, the Austrian-born actress took exception to the unauthorised use of (almost) her name for the Harvey Korman character and threatened … Continue reading
Two of the summer’s big jazz festivals have announced their 2014 line-ups – here’s Pink Pie’s look at what’s in store at Brecon and Love Supreme. The 30th anniversary Brecon Jazz Festival is headlined by Burt Bacharach, who opens the event on Thursday 7th August. I’m not being disrespectful by saying Burt was never the … Continue reading
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