University News Last updated 13 January
Eastside Jazz Festival will bring together internationally renowned musicians with some of today’s most interesting and innovative talent, alongside grassroots promoters and exciting local and student musicians to showcase Birmingham’s thriving and creative jazz scene.
The Jazz Festival will take place on Tuesday 12 and Wednesday 13 February, and the programming is led by Head of Jazz Jeremy Price, alongside Tony Dudley-Evans of TDE Promotions, Lecturers in Jazz Ed Puddick and Shanti Jayasinha, Associate Dean for Research, Innovation and Enterprise Nicholas Gebhardt and Events and Venue Manager Libby Surplice.
Among headline artists are US saxophonist Chris Potter with the Pablo Held Trio, a significant force on the contemporary European jazz scene. Pianist Rebecca Nash, whose career has soared in recent years, makes a prestige trio with Henrick Jensen and Dave Smith. BBC Big Band, widely regarded as one of the world’s leading jazz orchestras, includes collaborations with RBC vocalists Julie Claire and Poppy Baker. And the Olie Brice Quartet – masters of original music and free improvisation – includes Rachel Musson, current recipient of the prestigious Paul Hamlyn Composer Award, on tenor sax.
The two-day event will also spotlight students and graduates. Trombonist and alumnus Dave Sear – now a visiting tutor at RBC – plays with his quartet, while the Tony Levin Drum Prize, which commemorates the celebrated Midlands drummer, seeks out an exceptional student with US saxophonist Jean Toussaint and UK bassist Arnie Somogyi. Big bands including Banda Brasiliera and RBC Jazz Orchestra are also involved.
Jeremy Price said: “The Eastside Jazz Festival aims to celebrate Birmingham’s ever-growing and diverse jazz scene and strengthen the city’s position as a European centre for contemporary jazz.
“In this multi-venue event, we’ll be making full use of The Bradshaw and Recital Halls, purpose-built Eastside Jazz Club, and populating the foyers with wall-to-wall music. And we’re introducing a roaming ticket so audiences can dip into the many and varied sessions to ensure an immersive festival experience.”