Burton Agnes Jazz&Blues Festival 2011- Den's Blog

Set in the magnificent grounds of Burton Agnes the most relaxing and accessible Blues Jazz Festival.
Friday
Arrived on site, must be getting used to this camping malarkey. Tent up and kettle on in no time flat. All the while the sounds of Zoe Gilby floated across the camp site enhancing  our anticipation of a great weekend of jazz and blues. 
 
Andrew and Eve arrived and pitched (getting to know the lingo as well) their tent. All four of us then went onto the magnificent lawns of Burton Agnes Hall in time to catch Zoe Gilby. 

Next on the main stage  "Seven Pieces of Silver". Whilst they were setting up Andrew and I caught up with Zoe and had a charming chat with this accomplished artist. She informed us that she would be appearing at the Marsden Jazz Festival in the Riverhead Brewery Tap on 8th October 2011 at 2pm. 
Do go and see her and hubby Andy - you will experience a treat of lovely music.
Alison and Eve had settled on the lawn listening to Seven Pieces of Silver when both of us joined them and where enthralled by an hour and a half of swing and modern jazz led by Alan Barnes who has played with a very diverse range of bands and singers. These include Van Morrison, Claire Teal, Brian Ferry and Selina Jones. He also holds the BBC Jazz Instrumentalist of the year award.

We all attended the Late Night Session hosted by the Beverley Arts Trust, a most popular event introduced last year. This is held in the beer tent run by the Wold Top Brewery. Up first was John Cox who started us off with his funky jazz merged with a Latin flavour. 

Following him was Mean Eyed Cats (Bob and Rosie) playing country music that had the audience clapping and foot-tapping along to the rhythms. There was then a short break before the Alligators took their place on stage. From the very first drum intro we knew that an awesome set of rhythm and blues was to take place. Whoops of delight, cheering and energetic dancing soon filled the grounds as the Alligators played song after song. The audience demanded, and got, more. Sadly it had to end. 

A weary Yorkshire Gig Guide crew then retired for a late supper before crawling into our respective tents reflecting on a superb evenings entertainment and caught some well earned zzzzzzzs.
Saturday
Awoke to a grey and overcast morning. Looking like rain so over breakfast a decision made to go into Bridlington and purchase 2 umbrellas (large ones) - not that easy I assure you, therefore Andrew and Eve were left to cover the events whilst we were on our quest. 

We managed to be back in time to see Matt Smith and Carlos Olmos, a brilliant duo on guitars bringing a fine jazz sound of soul and funk. Meanwhile Andrew and Eve had been into the magnificent Great Hall listening to Ed Bell -classically trained tenor,  pop singer and writer. 

On the bill at that time were also Skintight International - more about these acts later. The main stage then hosted the Nicola Farnon Quartet just as the Heavens opened!                                                                                                                                                       Up went a vast assortment of umbrellas - ours included. Nicola sang and played double bass and gave her all. Despite the rain no-one moved during this most impressive performance. Alison and I asked if Nicola would be available for a short interview. Being agreeable, as soon as her fans had had time for a chat Nicola then gave Yorkshire Gig Guide a lovely interview.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Joel Purnell Quartet was our next entertainment. A collected mix of highly experienced jazz players influenced by American jazz, hugely popular with the knowledgeable audience.  

As usual there were performances also continuing in the Great Hall - Ben Beatie and the Jazz Essentials and then Jess Gardam (Beverley Folk Festival presentation)

Back on the main stage The Jacqui Dankworth Quintet gave a stunning performance of songs from the album she produced with her late father in the months before he died last year. The quality of this session reflected her pedigree in the jazz world. 

Ollie Brown (of Driffield) then played out the main stage for the day. A young man with a huge amount of talent, who's performance had the crowd up on their feet dancing, swaying, arms waving and would not let him off the stage until he had given 3 encores. 

Already exhausted we headed for the late night tent. Holly Taymar set us off with her chatty and amusing tales between her songs. Farino appeared next and their flamenco was fast paced and truly absorbing. They were truly surprised at their reception and the call for "more" at the end of their performance. 

Before we had time to catch our collective breaths blues rock band'This Way Up' were on stage and ready to rock the night out - culminating in more frenetic dancing and cheering. This completed another superb day. I for one was grateful to see the tent and my little camp bed.

Sunday
A more relaxed start this morning. Broke camp (told you- got the lingo) after breakfast. Made our leisurely way to the grounds. The Rob Law Trio played the first set on the main stage, giving a relaxing mixture of soul and Latin jazz which had the audience absorbed. Rob Law Trio plays regularly at Hull's Pave Bar on a Tuesday night.

The Great Hall had Ed Bell, Skintight International and Ben Beattie and the Jazz Essentials again then Edwina Hayes gave her usual accomplished performance which held the audience throughout. 

Beverley Folk Festival presented Jess Lawson to finish off the events in the Hall.

Claire Martin came onto the main stage giving a super performance which held the audience in a magical world of jazz singing. As if this was not enough, we were then treated to Saffron's Sound Safari, a truly talented artist with powerful vocals that resounded around Burton Agnes, attested to by the amount of cheering and clapping by the people present.

Octopus were the penultimate act of this festival. A big band combo who played many favourites including sounds made famous by Duke Ellington and Count Basie. A chance meeting at the Wigan Jazz International Festival between Keith Parker and Alan Jones led to this bands creation.

All too soon we came to the finale of this year's festival. Playing it out was our host, Simon Cunliff-Lister on sax and Saffron Byass, vocals backed by the Rob Law Trio. An excellent job well done. 

I must not forget to mention the sterling work done by the many volunteers, sound and lighting crew and the many artists who make this a very special event. Congratulations all on a superb festival.

So we bid farewell for another year leaving with fond memories yet again. Andrew and Eve last seen talking with Tony from the Alligators with his wife Elaine as Alison and I and the ........ tent slipped quietly into the night and headed for home.
Denis, Alison, Andrew and Eve
Yorkshire Gig Guide
All interviews and film will be posted shortly