London Jazz Festival
Encyclopedia
The London Jazz Festival (LJF) is a London-wide music festival
held every November. It takes place in a variety of London venues, including larger concert halls—such as the Barbican
and the Royal Festival Hall
—and smaller jazz clubs, such as Ronnie Scott's and Vortex
. It is produced by the creative company Serious in association with BBC Radio 3
.
added a Jazz Week to their long-established Camden Festival
. Over the following fifteen or more years, the 'Camden Jazz Weeks' were held at several venues around the borough—the Roundhouse, Shaw Theatre
, Logan Hall, Bloomsbury Theatre, the Forum
—both as part of the spring Festival, and in some years, adding an Autumn week as well. Although the 'Capital Jazz Festival' brought the familiar round of touring American stars to the city in the summer, Camden Jazz occupied an essential place in the London jazz scene, introducing key international figures including many of the emerging Europeans, and always committed to UK artists, with an active commissioning policy.
, London), the production company Serious—who had for some years produced the Camden weeks—engineered a transition that saw the evolution of a London Jazz Festival. Taking the mix of international and British artists—and a commitment to education activity—that had been at the heart of the Camden weeks, the new Festival began to spread its wings, with the intention of celebrating the place of jazz in a city which was becoming at ease with its rich cultural diversity, and drawing in the venues across London that present music throughout the year.
Music festival
A music festival is a festival oriented towards music that is sometimes presented with a theme such as musical genre, nationality or locality of musicians, or holiday. They are commonly held outdoors, and are often inclusive of other attractions such as food and merchandise vending machines,...
held every November. It takes place in a variety of London venues, including larger concert halls—such as the Barbican
Barbican Centre
The Barbican Centre is the largest performing arts centre in Europe. Located in the City of London, England, the Centre hosts classical and contemporary music concerts, theatre performances, film screenings and art exhibitions. It also houses a library, three restaurants, and a conservatory...
and the Royal Festival Hall
Royal Festival Hall
The Royal Festival Hall is a 2,900-seat concert, dance and talks venue within Southbank Centre in London. It is situated on the South Bank of the River Thames, not far from Hungerford Bridge. It is a Grade I listed building - the first post-war building to become so protected...
—and smaller jazz clubs, such as Ronnie Scott's and Vortex
Vortex Jazz Club
The Vortex Jazz Club is a London venue that primarily features live contemporary jazz. The club's official website features book reviews and jazz CD reviews by critic Chris Parker....
. It is produced by the creative company Serious in association with BBC Radio 3
BBC Radio 3
BBC Radio 3 is a national radio station operated by the BBC within the United Kingdom. Its output centres on classical music and opera, but jazz, world music, drama, culture and the arts also feature. The station is the world’s most significant commissioner of new music, and its New Generation...
.
Camden Jazz Festival
In the 1970s, the London Borough of CamdenLondon Borough of Camden
In 1801, the civil parishes that form the modern borough were already developed and had a total population of 96,795. This continued to rise swiftly throughout the 19th century, as the district became built up; reaching 270,197 in the middle of the century...
added a Jazz Week to their long-established Camden Festival
Camden Festival
Camdem Festival was an annual spring festival held in London, England, of which opera was the central feature.Founded in 1954 and continuing until 1987, it was originally called the St Pancras Festival until 1965. It specialised in the revival of long-forgotten operas, some of which subsequently...
. Over the following fifteen or more years, the 'Camden Jazz Weeks' were held at several venues around the borough—the Roundhouse, Shaw Theatre
Shaw Theatre
The Shaw Theatre is a theatre in Somers Town, in the London Borough of Camden. It is located near the Euston Road, beside the British Library and St Pancras Chambers , equidistant from King's Cross station and Euston station....
, Logan Hall, Bloomsbury Theatre, the Forum
London Forum
The London Forum, or sometimes Kentish Town Forum is a well-known venue for concerts in Kentish Town, London, United Kingdom owned by the MAMA Group. The venue was built in 1934 and was originally used as an art deco cinema. After the closure of the cinema, The Town & Country Club was established...
—both as part of the spring Festival, and in some years, adding an Autumn week as well. Although the 'Capital Jazz Festival' brought the familiar round of touring American stars to the city in the summer, Camden Jazz occupied an essential place in the London jazz scene, introducing key international figures including many of the emerging Europeans, and always committed to UK artists, with an active commissioning policy.
New direction
By the early nineties, the Camden Festival was no more, and although the Borough continued to support the Jazz Week for a few years, it became clear that a new direction had to be found in the light of changing budgets and priorities. With the active support of London Arts Board (now Arts Council EnglandArts Council England
Arts Council England was formed in 1994 when the Arts Council of Great Britain was divided into three separate bodies for England, Scotland and Wales. It is a non-departmental public body of the Department of Culture, Media and Sport...
, London), the production company Serious—who had for some years produced the Camden weeks—engineered a transition that saw the evolution of a London Jazz Festival. Taking the mix of international and British artists—and a commitment to education activity—that had been at the heart of the Camden weeks, the new Festival began to spread its wings, with the intention of celebrating the place of jazz in a city which was becoming at ease with its rich cultural diversity, and drawing in the venues across London that present music throughout the year.
The Festival today
Over the years, the Festival has made a steady transition from north London to London-wide, and from May to its present November slot, to establish today’s multi-faceted ten-day event as not only one of the city’s key music Festivals, but as one of the major international jazz events. The highlights have been many—each year brings its own character and momentum, and the riches of the Festival can as easily be found in a packed club as in the concert hall.Memorable performances
- The first ever concerts by the Jools HollandJools HollandJulian Miles "Jools" Holland OBE, DL is an English pianist, bandleader, singer, composer, and television presenter. He was a founder of the band Squeeze and his work has involved him with many artists including Sting, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, The Who, David Gilmour and Bono.Holland is a...
Rhythm and Blues Orchestra at the Hackney EmpireHackney EmpireThe Hackney Empire is a theatre on Mare Street, in the London Borough of Hackney, built in 1901 as a music hall.-History:Hackney Empire is a grade II* listed building... - Joe PassJoe PassJoe Pass was an Italian-American jazz guitarist of Sicilian descent. He is generally considered to be one of the greatest jazz guitarists of the 20th century...
and Martin Taylor playing to a hushed, packed house at Union ChapelUnion Chapel, IslingtonThe Union Chapel is a Grade II* listed church and music venue in Islington, North London, England, located on Compton Terrace.An example of Victorian gothic architecture, it was designed by James Cubitt, and constructed between 1874 and 1877, with further additions 1877-90, providing an ambitious... - Michael BreckerMichael BreckerMichael Leonard Brecker was an American jazz saxophonist and composer. Acknowledged as "a quiet, gentle musician widely regarded as the most influential tenor saxophonist since John Coltrane," he has been awarded 15 Grammy Awards as both performer and composer and was inducted into Down Beat Jazz...
playing solo to a similarly spellbound audience at the same venue some years later - Wayne ShorterWayne ShorterWayne Shorter is an American jazz saxophonist and composer.He is generally acknowledged to be jazz's greatest living composer, and many of his compositions have become standards...
’s first London concert with his consummate acoustic quartet at the Festival Hall—and returning triumphantly to the Barbican in 2006
External links
- London Jazz Festival Official Website
- Serious, creative production company, producers of The London Jazz Festival in association with BBC Radio 3