Buxton International Festival (9-26 July), an annual celebration of jazz, opera, classical music and books, is set to deliver a world-class jazz programme this summer, under its new Jazz Director, Wesley Stephenson.
Artists include Courtney Pine, Laura Jurd, Denys Baptiste and Tony Kofi Quintet, Darius Brubeck Quartet, Gaz Hughes Trio, Arun Gosh Quintet, Zoë Gilby with Andy Champion, Josephine Davies with Satori featuring Alcyona Mick, Noa Levy, Alan Barnes and the Paul Edis Trio, Alina Bzhezhinska, Pete Roth Trio with Bill Bruford, Hannah Brine, Blind Monk Trio and Fergus McCreadie Trio, amongst others.
The festival opens with a special Jazz Weekender package from 9-12 July featuring back-to-back gigs all weekend, followed by stand-alone performances until 25 July. The gigs are largely based at the festival’s jazz hub, The Palace Hotel, as well as Buxton Opera House, the Pavilion Arts Centre and The Old Club House, from morning ‘til late. In addition to the Jazz Weekender ticket, Day Passes and individual tickets are also available.
Wesley Stephenson said: “With the greatest love and appreciation we’ve put together a series to reflect how jazz as an art form has fully embraced diversity in so many ways. Engaging folk, rock, wider world music, with a foot firmly rooted in the highest quality pure jazz. This is truly a programme that sees Buxton International Festival shine bright on the global jazz stage.”
First up is trumpeter and composer Laura Jurd (Thurs 9 July at 6.30pm) with her Rites & Revelations programme which explores ancient melodies and ritualistic themes through a contemporary jazz and folk lens. Later that evening, two of Britain’s most respected jazz saxophonists Tony Kofi and Denys Baptiste perform with their legacy Cannonball / Coltrane Quintet (9pm).
On Friday 10 July, the festival continues with the Andrew McCormack Trio (12pm), followed by an exceptional double bill featuring vocalist Zoë Gilby with Andy Champion alongside the Johnny Hunter Trio with Nat Birchall (2.30pm). The evening concludes with performances from the internationally influenced Brazilian Mario Bakuna Quartet (8pm) and a late-night gig with Nordic-rooted saxophonist Josephine Davies with Satori featuring Alcyona Mick (10.15pm).
A major highlight arrives on Saturday 11 July as renowned Israeli vocalist Noa Levy joins forces with celebrated saxophonist Alan Barnes and the piano-led Paul Edis Trio for a special tribute concert, Portrait in Evans, honouring the music and legacy of Bill Evans (1pm). The same evening features the adventurous Alina Bzhezhinska – HipHarpCollective Quintet, bringing a fresh, contemporary perspective to jazz harp traditions, before the outstanding Darius Brubeck Quartet closes the night.
Sunday’s programme on 12 July is headlined by Courtney Pine (9pm) in Buxton Opera House with his major retrospective show, A Modern Day Jazz Story, which reflects on his 40-year career at the top of the tree. Other gigs that day include multi-instrumentalist Fraser Fifield with the Secret Path Trio, plus Olivia Moore and Adam Fairhall (1pm). Later that day, audiences can hear the Arun Ghosh Quintet (4pm), whose sound draws on South Asian folk traditions, spiritual jazz and Indo-folk rhythms.
The second half of the festival continues the momentum with the Gaz Hughes Trio on Friday 17 July (10pm), followed on Saturday 18 July by vintage swing favourites The Easy Rollers (3pm) and the virtuosic Fergus McCreadie Trio (8pm), whose blend of jazz and Scottish folk influences has earned international praise.
Further highlights include Hannah Brine with BIM Williams on Wednesday 22 July (10pm) and a much-anticipated appearance from the Dennis Rollins Velocity Trio with Cameron Pierre on Thursday 23 July (8pm), promising an explosive fusion of groove, funk and contemporary jazz. A first chance to hear songs taken from the pending album ‘Contours of Lyricism – The Beatles Book’.
On Friday 24 July Blind Monk Trio (10pm) bring the genre-defying sound of Thelonious Monk-style modern jazz, blending the moods of Coltrane and Led Zeppelin.
The jazz programme closes at 10pm on Saturday, 25 July with legendary drummer Bill Bruford who joins the Pete Roth Trio for what promises to be a landmark closing performance.
Jazz Weekender
Buxton International Festival’s ‘Jazz Weekender’ runs from 9 to 12 July. This special package offers audiences the chance to immerse themselves in an entire weekend of exceptional live music at an unbeatable price. One weekend ticket provides access to 12 gigs across the opening weekend and costs £195 making it one of the best value ways to experience the Festival’s vibrant jazz offering.
Jazz Day Passes (from £30) and individual jazz tickets are also available.
BOX OFFICE
Public Booking is now open.
Box Office Tel: 01298 72190.