Music festival brings weekend of jazz to town
A RENOWNED seaside jazz festival which takes place this weekend has undergone “a sea change” for its 18th year, its organiser has revealed.
For 2017, Porthcawl Jazz has become the Porthcawl Jazz and Blues Festival and the loss of Arts Council of Wales funding means that the main centre for this year’s event will be the Hi Tide Inn at Coney Beach.
Festival director Wayne Warlow said: “We are very, very grateful to the Arts Council because they have supported us very well for a number of years.
“But it means that this year we are entirely dependent on attracting people to the festival and we have to break even.”
The headline launch concert for this year’s festival takes place on Friday when the James Taylor Quartet take to the stage at the Grand Pavilion on the seafront at 7.30pm.
Also on Friday, the Archbishop McGrath Jazz Ensemble and Bridgend County Youth Big Band take to the stage at the Hi Tide Inn at 7pm.
On Saturday, Afternoon in Paris, The Graham Watkins Quartet featuring Clare Hingott, the Rumblestrutters and Room To Groove will play the Hi Tide.
The festival continues on Sunday, kicking off with a special jazz service at Trinity Church between 11am and noon.
Wayne said: “We feel that once again we have put together a very comprehensive and enjoyable programme of music.
“We have traditional jazz, crossover, gypsy jazz and ‘30s style jazz – there’s a whole range.”
A weekend ticket, which costs £40 and includes the James Taylor Quartet, is available or music lovers can purchase a day ticket for Saturday costing £10 or a Sunday ticket costing £15.
For tickets and more information go to www. porthcawl- jazz- festival. com/