Some thoughts after the the Festival. Jazz is a "broad church" ranging in styles from Trad (Dixie) to Blues, Big Band Swing, Be-Bop, Mainstream, Modern, Contemporary, Fusion, Avant Guarde etc etc Even the labels I have just used can be hotly disputed. Still it all has something in common - doesn't it? I grew up listing to Trad, learnt trumpet, became a Blues guitarist and later played in a Standards /R'n'B band. Now I like playing Duke Ellington and Sonny Rollins songs on harmonica.

Many people seem to prefer one type of Jazz over the others but others, often musicians, can appreciate a number of styles. Surely the role of a Festival such as ours is to present a variety of Jazz styles - if you don't like a band playing one style, go see another one! Maybe take a risk and see something completely different?

Of course, there is always the tired, old debate about whether Blues should be included in Jazz Festivals. There are many styles of Blues (e.g. Trad, Delta, Country, Chicago,) and some can only be considered cousins in a Jazz family, while others are much closer relatives. However, since Louis Armstrong established the Blues tonality as the defining one in Jazz, surely there will always be a link between the two. The success of the visiting Blues band (Blues /Rock?) at this year's Festival shows the ability of Blues to attract crowds. Who knows, maybe some of the Blues fans may even take a risk and listen to another style? Ours is proudly a Jazz and Blues Festival.

To finish up - what do all the above types of music have in common? Well, it is all music; it all comes from, or reflects in some way, the African-American experience; and it all IMPROVISES to some degree. And much of it SWINGS, doesn't it?

Peter   (August 2010)