What happens when a significant jazz event comes to an end? In recent years musicians and audiences alike have been left with little in the way of high level international jazz in the city when the Bath Festivals organisation in the west of England merged the international music festival and the literature festival and in effect put an end to the reputation created in previous years by Nod Knowles and Joanna MacGregor for presenting an extensive and unique programme of British and European contemporary jazz.
The strategic answer turns out to be – co-operative DIY.
Turning back to festival promotion after several years, former EJN President and Honorary Member Nod Knowles contacted a number of musicians and production crew living in or near his region and proposed a new co-operative venture - the Bath Jazz Weekend, to run over the first few days (4th, 5th & 6th) of 2019. Take a look at the archived programme and other information to see the extent of the first experimental year. www.bathjazzweekend.com
The experiment proved a great success – the audience turned up in droves and the musicians played great and pitched into the collaborative, totally co-operative spirit of the event. Everyone had a good time, making very good use of that odd down time after Xmas and New Year and before school, work and everything else kicks in again.
So they’re going to do it again. The second Bath Jazz Weekend will run Friday 3rd – Sunday 5th January 2020.
Programme and booking details will be available as soon as possible – if you’re in England and interested in attending send a message on the Get In Contact form on the website www.bathjazzweekend.com and Nod will let you know immediately when info is ready.
And for musicians who like the idea – also send Nod a contact message via the website or via nod (AT) nodknowles.com and he’ll let you know how it all works….for this coming January and, he hopes, for years to come.
