Jazz dominates weekend in Swanage

The Swanage Jazz Festival has swung into the seaside town for another year, showcasing some of the most respected jazz acts and up-and-coming artists.
Running from July 8th to 10th, the event saw one thousand tickets sold each day as lifelong jazz fans and people new to the music genre enjoyed a weekend of relaxing music and sunshine.
The festival began with an afternoon Jazz Cruise, featuring the Dave Brennan Jubilee Jazz band and the Great Western Jazz Co.
Marquee 1 featured an evening-long set by John Maddock’s Jazzmen with John Hallam, while other venues across the town saw acts including Ian Shaw, Terry Seabrook Milestones and the Andy Dickens Quintet.
Festivities opened on Saturday with a traditional brass band parade through Swanage with Dave Brennan’s Jubilee Jazz Band, while other highlights included Martin Litton’s Red Peppers and Brass Volcanoes, which was particularly well-reviewed.
As well as the marquees, pubs and clubs in Swanage hosted jazz evenings, including sets by Alton College Big Band.
Closing the weekend was an appearance by local acts like the Dorset Youth Jazz Orchestra and the Sussex Jazz Kings, while the Gilad Atzmon Orient House Ensemble also performed in a packed-out venue.
Headlining Marquee 1 and closing the festival was a tribute to jazz king Louis Armstrong by pianist Keith Nichols and his jazz quintet.
The three-day weekend is non-profit making and was set up by a group of jazz fans 22 years ago. Sponsorship comes from local businesses and the PRS Foundation for New Music, although much of it is funded by ticket sales.
Fred Lindop, the artistic director of the festival said that the collections taken during the parade go to children’s charities Julia’s House, Casa Alianza and Afrikids, of which £2,000 was raised at last year’s festival.