Bridgnorth Jazz Festival 2004

Festival Review

Three of the concerts were staged at the Theatre on the Steps and the festival opens on Friday October 29th with a Tribute to Benny Goodman presented by the Dave Shepherd Quintet. Dave Shepherd has long been one of Britain’s finest clarinetists and once took part in a memorable tour with Goodman’s pianist—the incomparable Teddy Wilson. On this occasion Dave will be joined by John Pearce on piano, Roger Nobes on vibraphone, Dave Green on bass and Bobbie Worth on drums. This was indeed a memorable treat.

Jazz in the Cartway was again a huge success. The Falcon Hotel joined The Black Boy, the Bassa Villa, and Gabrielle’s Wine Bar as hosts for Digby Fairweather, Keith Nichols, Roy Sainsbury, Dee Daly, Andy Woon, Dave Shepherd, Erika Lyons and Bobbie Worth. Four hours of continuous live jazz at these characterful venues

Perhaps the highlight of the Festival was a performance in the Theatre on the Steps by Humphrey Littleton and his band. Humph is Britain’s ambassador of jazz as well as being a BBC broadcaster and chairman of the hugely popular “I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue.?His band now includes such super stars as altoist Jimmy Hastings and a new talent in Karen Sharp who plays tenor and baritone saxes. Humph has been band leading now for nearly sixty years and this was a rare chance to enjoy this remarkable man in Bridgnorth’s unique theatre.

The 12.30 Sunday lunchtime (October 31st) session featured Tenorama. This is a group that features three tenor saxophones and the baritone sax of local musician John Williams whose Music at Leasowes Bank concerts have proved so popular over a number of years. The front line was joined by the Craig Milverton Trio featuring Craig on piano together with Erika Lyons on bass and Bobby Worth on drums.

To round off a joyous musical celebration of British jazz talent, the Keith Nichols Orchestra presented “Love in a Mist?at the Theatre on the Steps - a special tribute to jazz genius Bix Beiderbeck which featured the wonderful talents of Andy Woon on cornet.