Top 10 UK Jazz Festivals

May signals the start of Jazz Festival season - although some festivals are programmed for February, and some continue into November, most people wait until the weather improves (or does it?) to entice the jazz crowds.  Here's my top ten of UK Jazz Festivals.

1. London (November)

Sector7 performing at The Green Man in 2011.  Photo by Dave Ohm.

The London Jazz Festival is a local celebration of jazz on an International scale.  It attracts more than the usual punter to each and every jazz venue in this city (which is a lot!) and turns London into a hub of quality music for much of November.

2. Scarborough (September/February)

I performed last February at Scarborough's "Coastival" - a weekend arts festival.  My quartet was supporting Denis Rollins, and I was thrilled to be involved in the very small jazz allocation.  This year, Sector7 will be performing at the dedicated jazz festival on Sunday September 30th.

3. Marlborough (July)

Each July, the small, sloping Wiltshire town of Marlborough is transformed into a hub of musical excitement.  We performed there in 2010.

4. Imperial Wharf (September)

The Imperial Wharf Jazz Festival is just what a jazz festival should be: a well-constructed stage in an area of London surrounded by shops, restaurants and stalls, creating an inviting atmosphere for music fans and passers-by alike.  We played there in 2010, and the video above is of our last tune, which includes a bit of dancing from the Jazzcotech dancers - amazing!

5. Southport (May)

Southport Jazz Festival 2010

We played in Southport on a surprisingly warm May day, compounded by the fact that we were in a beautiful Victorian shopping arcade with a glass roof!  Southport provides lots of free jazz during the festival which is great for its large quantities of tourists.

6. Swindon (June)

"The jazz festival that discovered Jamie Cullum" - according to the promoter.  We played here during our 2010 album tour and it was one of our best gigs.

7. Pontypool (September)

The photographer clearly had an eye for Tom!

This festival used to be outside in the park (and was appropriately named "Pontypool Jazz in the Park," but has since been moved inside following a flood incident a number of years ago.  We played here in 2011, at the start of our second album tour.

8. Hitchin (July)

Not really a jazz festival, Hitchin Festival encompases a wide range of arts including theatre, music, literature, and a range of activities to interest people in the town, including Hitchin walks and tours of museums.  In the middle of this festival is "Rhythms Of The World," a musical extravaganza that started life on constructed stages through the pedestrian areas of the town, but has grown so large that it now occupies the grounds of Hitchin Priory.  We will be performing during the festival part (after Rhythms has finished) on Thursday 19th July at The Sun Hotel.

9. Gateshead (March)

This festival has made it to the top ten, because it's one of the highest profile International festivals outside of London.  Sector7 will be performing at The Sage (where the festival is held) in December with Ian Shaw.

10. Jersey (April)

For a small island, Jersey is an advocate for live music and entertainment, and the Jersey jazz festival is one of two annual music events - the other being the Liberation Festival in May.  I'm hoping to perform there myself next year so watch this space!