The first weekend of January is always the hardest. Many of us are still coming down from the high of Christmas and New Year’s Eve. While others feel invigorated. Desperate to discover new interests, only to find that the first of the year is largely barren of excitement. Luckily the Bath Jazz Weekend has returned just in time.
Guaranteed to entertain and lift spirits, Bath Jazz Weekend returns for its third outing after two years away. It launched in 2019 with some of Europe’s finest jazz musicians coming to Bath with resounding results, only to build on its success the following year. Like many events, the Jazz festival ceased operation during COVID, unfortunately. But we can confirm its return.
From January 6 to 8, expect some of the best and highest quality contemporary jazz to take the stage at Widcombe Social Club. It will feature a remarkable lineup of bands and soloists of international standing from across the British scene. The programme will open with a thrilling documentary film. The Last Of The Blue Devils charts the heyday of the Kansas City jazz scene.
In terms of music, the festival programme is jam-packed with stellar talent. Theo May’s Odd Unit and Karen Street’s L’Esprit Du Jazz will round off the Friday evening. While Rebecca Nash’s Redefining Element 78 will perform on Saturday afternoon, with Matthew Bourne also playing solo on the piano.
Don’t go anywhere after that, however. In the evening, the radical Robert Mitchell’s True Think, legendary Orphy Robinson on the vibraphone, and the Paul Dunmall Quintet will play their hearts out. On Sunday afternoon, Comfort in Chaos, Andrew McCormack and the Jake McMurchie Quartet will play out the festival in style.
Bath Jazz Weekend is the brainchild of Nod Knowles, formerly Director of the Bath International Music Festival’s European Jazz Weekend. To learn more about the event head here.