Pasadena Roof Orchestra

Friday 7:30pm - The Grand Pavillion Main Hall

For over forty years the Pasadena Roof Orchestra, based in the UK, has delighted audiences all over the world with its mix of swing and hot dance music. Swing is much more than a musical genre, it personifies a lust for life, with its infectious beat. Its roots lie in the pre war dance bands, and the roaring twenties which inspired the later big swing bands. In contrast to many other musical genres swing has never really gone out of fashion over the decades, particularly in recent years. The Pasadena Roof Orchestra has played an important role in this resurgence of popularity.

In the past, the orchestra’s kind of music provided a boost in the background to some calamitous times, pre and post war. Today, not only is the orchestra bringing its music to young audiences all over the world, it is introducing new generations of young musicians to the music. The reputation of the orchestra is as legendary in its own right, as the bands from the 1920’s and 1930’s that inspired it.

SWING THAT MUSIC!

Nik Turner Quartet

Saturday 7.30pm - Trecco Bay

Eccentric, innovative, enigmatic, Nik is full of surprises. From big band 'Janet Juve and the Red Hot Daddies' to soul bands 'Maurice Traveler and the Starting Handles' and 'Soulfinger'. From circus orchestra M.D. for 'Gerry Cottle's Circus' to the esoteric mumbo jumbo jive of 'Sphynx'. From the space jazz of 'Hawkwind', writing seminal anthems such as 'Master of the Universe', 'Brainstorm', and 'D-rider' as the driving force in the creation of the legend and mythology that created that band's success, to 60's ska 'Skastars'.

From the pomp rock of the 'Imperial Pompadours' to musical, political, satirical punk cabaret with 'Inner City Unit'. From busking cool groovy music on the streets of Cardiff and Mexico City to Nik Turner's 'Fantastic All Stars' playing cool Latino jazz. From equally fantastic Nik Turner's 'Galaktikos' playing big funk Latino hot grooves, to the 'Nik Turner Band' playing some of all that and more.

The John Miller Orchestra

Saturday 7.30pm - The Grand Pavillion Main Hall

The John Miller Orchestra , formerly The Herb Miller Orchestra, is the only Big Band performing the music of Glenn Miller with direct family links to the great man himself, in the form of John Miller, his nephew.

John is joined on stage by vocalist Fiona Paige who is at the centre of the great Modernaires numbers like Chattanooga Choo Choo and I've Gotta Gal In Kalamazoo. As Fiona is an ex dancer, she brings years of professionalism, energy and an extra dimension and definition to the term Big Band singer. She is a show in herself. To see her is to love her.

The Capital City Jazz Orchestra

Sunday 7.30pm - The Grand Pavillion Main Hall

Formed in 2007 by some of the best jazz and big band players in South East Wales, and appearing for the second time at Porthcawl Jazz Festival, we are very pleased to announce that the Capital City Jazz Orchestra will be with us in 2009. The Capital City Jazz Orchestra play at Dempseys in Cardiff every month and played at Margam Festival in the summer and at Level 3 St. Davids Hall with Alan Barnes as guest.

The Cottle Brothers

Sunday 9.00pm - The Grand Pavillion Main Hall

The Cottle Brothers have built an excellent reputation as the house trio at Swansea Jazzland, the jazz club in Swansea which brings most of the best of jazz performers to Wales on a weekly basis. Dave Cottle (piano), Alun Vaughan (bass) and Paul Smith (drums) have accompanied most of the top UK jazz musicians.

Wonderbrass

An internationally acclaimed 25 piece Soul, Funk, Ska, Latin, Jazz juggernaut – a danceaholic wall of sound – a kick-ass brass tidal wave – an unmissable (theres 25 of them, how could you miss them!) hurricane of horns and whirlwind of irresistible rhythms to tickle your dancing feet. Its like having a whole festival wrapped up in a band!

B D Lenz

TBA - The Grand Pavillion Main Hall

Hailed as one of the top 20 "up and coming" jazz musicians of New Jersey by the Newark Star-Ledger,and featured in the New York Times, noted guitarist B.D. Lenz leads an original trio which has best been described as "a spirited mixture of sounds in the contemporary vein, ranging from the sprightly to the hard-wailing" (Curt Yeske - The Trenton Times).

“As a guitarist he defies tradition, but also defies genres as his lines and comping snake between jazz, funk, rock, pop... making him one of the most interesting young players on the modern jazz scene today”. Guitar International Mix together the styles of Pat Metheny, Mike Stern, and Stevie Ray Vaughan and you have the recipe for one of the hottest new contempo-jazz guitarists on the scene today. Catch New Yorker B D Lenz on this all too rare visit to our shores.

The Michael Janisch Quartet

TBA - The Grand Pavillion Main Hall

After two years and a bit of promoting his 'MJ Presents' at the Pizza Express Jazz Club in Soho in London, Michael Janisch will be taking a break for an undetermined amount of time from promoting the consistent monthly residency at Pizza Express or anywhere in London. The main reason for this is so he can focus on his own live touring with his own groups outside of the UK, and the development of his record label, Whirlwind Recordings Ltd. Obviously the amount of preparation for each event on a monthly basis can take up to a year, and the attention to keep this up alongside everything else that's going on has become too much to manage at this point in time. However, as the series was such a success (see below for all the events as they were presented), there will be the occasional presentation, and also Michael is looking into the possibilities of bringing the residency to a different venue that would take on the role of the organization. Ideas are being thrown around, and plans are still up in the air. Any developments or shows will be added here if and when they crop up.

The Liberty Street Jazz Band

The Liberty Street Jazz Band are one of Wales's most long-serving and popular jazz bands as evinced by their very substantial, loyal fan base.

They are always in demand for performances throughout England and Wales as well as being featured at several of the major Jazz Festivals.

The band constist of Marcus (leader) on Cornet, John on Clarinet, Simon on Trombone, Dewi on Banjo and Graham on Drums. The band does not currently have a regular bass player, but are grateful to Mike, Peter and Steve who stand in on occasions when requested.

Laura Collins

TBA -The Brentwood Hotel

It's no wonder that, since turning professional, Laura Collins has been creating a huge buzz. A sophisticated singer with style and wit to boot, her work takes her around Britain, winning hearts and minds.

Laura played classical 'cello and piano from an early age in her home town of Cardiff and studied singing as a choral exhibitioner at Cambridge University. Feeling the constraints of High Church music, she found solace in Nina Simone and Charlie Parker: "I saw the light, threw off my cassock, and began to take the path of jazz understanding."

Laura moved to London to study on the highly competitive jazz performance course at the Guildhall School of Music. There she was awarded scholarships from the Ryan Davies Memorial Fund and the Atlantic Foundation. Having recently located to the West Midlands, she works frequently with Paul Sawtell and Casey Greene. She has performed with other UK jazz greats including Bruce Adams, Alan Barnes, Andy Cleyndert, Dave Cottle, Tony Levin and Jean Toussaint. Laura's sound has been likened to the Norwegian singer Radka Toneff. Her main singing influences include Ella Fitzgerald, Annie Ross and Norma Winstone. What results is a magical blend of old and new.

The Julian Martin Trio

TBA - Porthcawl Hotel

Pianist Julian Martin has performed with leading British jazz figures, including Guy Barker, Alan Barnes, Peter King and Jim Mullen. He has recorded a cd with guitarist James Chadwick, features on accordion with gypsy jazz outfit Five go Swing and occasionally appears with the Amigos. Julian also writes and performs music for TV and radio. His own trio pays homage to the classic styles of Bill Evans and Keith Jarrett and on this occasion, features Donny Sweeney (double bass) and drummer Keith Niblett.

The Numbers Racket

TBA - Porthcawl Hotel

An exciting six piece jump jive/swing band who play a little bit of blues too. Band members include, Maurice on vocals, Jason on trumpet, Dominic on saxophone, Nino on drums, Johnny on guitar and JJ on bass. Bring your dancing shoes for this one and get ready to jive!

Graham Watkins Quartet

TBA - Porthcawl Hotel

The Graham Watkins Quartet and the fabulous Clare Hingott serenade the evening with a great programme which will include songs made famous by Nat King Cole, Duke Ellington and Van Morrison plus many, many more.

Led by Graham at the keyboard, the quartet features Clare's melodious voice with Jack Williams - bass and Dave Prosser - drums.

The Gabrielle Ducomble Quartet

TBA - Porthcawl Hotel

Gabrielle Ducomble – Jazz Vocalist Sings in English and French… with grace, precision and talent…” Rising star Gabrielle is rapidly putting her sophisticated Gallic stamp on the London jazz scene. Technically gifted and artistically at home in styles ranging from contemporary jazz to French popular song, she has performed in many leading London nightspots in addition to touring and television appearances. Gabrielle works with her own duo, trio, quartet and quintet, as well as major London big bands. Her debut jazz album “J’ai Deux Amours” released on MGP Records features Gabrielle’s own arrangements of American and French jazz standards with in collaboration some of Europe’s finest jazz musicians including Chris Garrick and Nicolas Meier. Recent engagements include top London nightspots including the Café de Paris, 100 Club, Vortex Jazz Bar, the Bulls Head-Barnes, The Savoy Hotel, Music Village Jazz Club, etc.