FIFE JAZZ FESTIVAL: February 4-7, 2010 > The programme for the 2010 Fife Jazz Festival is announced today and it’s packed with national and international stars coming to Fife in the first weekend of February.

With over 20 different events in concert halls, theatres, hotels, schools, and village halls all over the kingdom, there is jazz ranging from Dixieland to jump jive; from big band to cutting edge; from blues to concert designed for dancing.

Amongst the many special events are:

* The return of The Fife Jazz Orchestra, playing a programme of swinging songs and instrumentals with vocals from the singer with the Frank Sinatra/Tony Bennett style, Matthew Ford.

* The debut of The New Columbians, a dance band led by Tom Finlay, Billy Hunter and Ricky Steele, which will play the music heard all over Fife Dance Halls in the 1940’s and 1950’s

* A unique collaboration between Fife and the most northerly of Sweden’s regions, Norrbotten, with the visit of one of Europe’s leading professional Big Bands, The Norrbotten Big Band, and the renowned Arctic Youth Jazz Orchestra

* A chance to hear a host of major international jazz stars, including Peter Erskine, Palle Danielsson, and Ulf Wakenius

* Another chance to hear one of Britain’s most celebrated traditional jazz stars, Acker Bilk, with his latest, high quality Paramount Jazz Band.

* A rare pair of Scottish shows by one of the country’s favourite jazz singers, Carol Kidd

* Concerts by many high profile Fife Jazz musicians – including Richard Michael, Angie King, Calum Gourlay and Jonathan Cairney

* Events for the first time in Buckhaven, Charlestown, and Cowdenbeath

Fife Jazz Festival continues to chart new territory, both artistically and in terms of reaching out to bring high quality music to the people of Fife. The Festival is attracting more and more visitors from outside the kingdom. Its blend of unique concerts, interesting places, and wide stylistic range has proven appeal. In 2010, The Festival is expecting increased sales and extra demand from audiences outside the region. Roger Spence, from one of the organisers, Assembly Direct, said: ”We are grateful for the support of Fife Council. The Fife Jazz Festival is one of the opening events of the year of culture, Celebrating Fife 2010, and we hope we can set a standard for high quality and popularity.”

The Fife Jazz Festival is promoted by Assembly Direct, AttFife and The Byre Theatre.

FIFE JAZZ FESTIVAL

Listings

Thursday 4 February

Carol Kidd and Nigel Clark

Few singers can be hailed as a National Treasure, but Carol Kidd MBE is one of them. Whether she’s swingin’ a standard, or tenderly caressing a beautiful ballad, Carol Kidd always hits the target. Making her Byre Theatre debut, Carol will share the stage with her longstanding and award-winning guitarist, Nigel Clark.

St Andrews, Byre Theatre, Thursday 4 February, 8-10pm.  Tickets: £14 from 01334 475000

Friday 5 February

Dancing to The New Columbians

In the 1940’s and 1950’s dance bands played in towns and villages all across the Kingdom. The Columbians were a feature of many dances in central Fife. Two leading Scottish musicians of today, pianist, Tom Finlay, and bass player, Ricky Steele’s father and uncle respectively played in the band.. Finlay and Steele, together with Fife trumpeter, Billy Hunter, have put together a new dance band to play live for dancing – rumbas, quicksteps, foxtrots, jive, waltz – social ballroom dancing.

Cowdenbeath, Beath High School, Friday 5 February, 8-10pm. Tickets: £10 from  01592 611101

Norrbotten Big Band with Peter Erskine;

Ulf Wakenius Quartet; Brian Kellock & Julian Arguelles

A “Festival” within the Festival: Three bands featuring a host of major international jazz names. Norrbotten Big Band is one of the top  professional jazz orchestras in Europe, directed by leading New York trumpeter, Tim Hagans, and featuring ex-Weather Report and Steps Ahead drummer, Peter Erskine. Their new album, The “Avatar Sessions”, is winning huge acclaim in the US and all over Europe. Ulf Wakenius was Oscar Peterson’s guitarist for over a decade, and one of the most  exciting, swinging and grooving guitar players in jazz today. Pianist, Brian Kellock and saxophonist, Julian Arguelles bring new life to well known standards.

Dunfermline, Carnegie Hall, Friday 5 February, 7.30-10pm. Tickets: £15 from 01383 602302

Colin Steele Stramash

Exhilarating jazz-folk fusion, with Scottish tunes of grand scale and emotional power, full of spirit and joy, written by Steele, and featuring a ten piece band of leading musicians from the folk, jazz and classical scenes. Saxophonist, Phil Bancroft, and trumpeter, Steele, are climactic soloists in music which stirs and lifts everyone’s feelings. “Fiddles, cello, pipes, whistles, trumpet, saxophone, and ultra dynamic rhythm section conspire in a reeling, jigging shindig”(Herald).

St Andrews, Byre Theatre, Friday 5 February, 7.45-9.45pm. Tickets: £12 from 01334 475000

Fredrik Nordstrom Trio

One of Europe’s leading young saxophonists, Nordstrom’s Trio with the giant of world jazz bass playing, Palle Danielsson, and the unique drumming of Fredrik Rundqvist, set the standard for Jazz Saxophone Trios in the 21st Century. Joe Henderson and Sonny Rollins are big references, but Nordstrom is a tenor sax titan in his own right, with 8 brilliant albums to prove it. Danielsson has been a member of Bill Evans’ Trio, Keith Jarrett’s Quartet, Michel Petrucciani’s Trio, Charles Lloyd’s Quartet and Peter Erskine’s Trio. He only plays with the best!

St Andrews, Byre Theatre Studio, Friday 5 February, 8.30-10.30pm. Tickets: £10 from 01334 475000

River Devils + Son Henry

Shifting from searing slide guitar boogie to greasy Hammond organ driven grooves in a heartbeat this new band is led by Sandy Tweedales’sblues drenched guitar and vocals. Expect original takes on some BB King type blues, swamp slide guitar, T-Bone Walker and other classic blues styles – not forgetting the gutbucket, rocking blues of Elmore James and Houndog Taylor. American lap steel blues guitarist, Son Henry, opens the night with a solo slot.

Cupar, Watts Eaterie, Station Road , Friday 5 February, 9-11pm. Tickets: £5 from 01592 611101

Acker Bilk with his Paramount Jazz Band

One of the hottest and most popular names in British jazz, Acker formed his Paramount Jazz Band in 1956, and began a remarkable surge to chart success amid the trad boom of the late 50’s. “Stranger On The Shore” was the first ever record to simultaneously hit number one in both the American and British charts and

fixed Acker’s reputation.  A strong, imaginative, passionate  player, he keeps his band fresh with

some of the most dynamic players in the current jazz scene.

Dunfermline, Rothes Halls, Friday 5 February, 8-10pm. Tickets: £15 from 01334 475000

Late Night Jam Session

Musicians and singers playing at the Festival get together with the best local players for an informal session in the bar. Musically, anything can happen, and will, and it\’s sure to be a great atmosphere.

St Andrews,  Byre Theatre (bar, Friday 5 February, 10pm. Free

Saturday 6 February

Swing 2010 with Brian Kellock

It’s Django Reinhardt’s centenary in January 2010 and the gypsy jazz guitarist remains the primary inspiration for Swing 2010, the longstanding champions of music associated with The Hot Club de Paris, Duke Ellington et al. Swinging jazz for two guitars, clarinet and bass – and as a special guest, today, the brilliant pianist, Brian Kellock, capable of playing everything from Fats Waller to Bud Powell

Strathmiglo, Strathmiglo Hall, Saturday 6 February, 1.30pm. Tickets: £8 from 01592 611101

Nova Scotia Jazz Band

Firmly in the tradition of the groups led by Eddie Condon, Muggsy Spanier, Bix Beiderbecke and Alex Welsh, this sweet and hot quartet are a fresh take on the classic jazz style of the 1920’s and 30’s.

The new band, formed by John Burgess (reeds) and Roy Percy (bass) features the world class cornet of Mike Daly and the banjo wizardry of Duncan Findlay.

St Andrews, Byre Theatre (Studio), Saturday 6 February, 6.30-8pm. Tickets: £8 from 01334 475000

Dancing To Forth River Ragtimers

Swing dance to the hugely popular traditional jazz band from Edinburgh – they play hot dance music from the 20’s to the 40’s and dancers love them – for jive, charleston, quickstep, rumba… and if you want to learn the steps or refresh your skills why not check out the dance classes at Upper Largo on Wednesday Nights (info: admin1@spirita.net).

Buckhaven, Buckhaven Community Centre, Saturday 6 Febuary, 8-10pm. Tickets £7.50 from 01592 611101

Fife Jazz Orchestra

directed by Tom Gordon with special guest Matthew Ford

and featuring Bruce Adams, Angie King

The triumphant success of the 2009 Festival, The Fife Jazz Orchestra is back with a night that salutes the kings of swing, and presents one of the best singers in the genre – Matthew Ford. He’ll bring alive songs made famous by Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, and even Michael Buble. The band will play the music of Count Basie, Woody Herman, Benny Goodman, Stan Kenton et al.

Dunfermline, Carnegie Hall, Saturday 6 February, 8-10pm. Tickets: £15 from 01383 602302

Fife Blues Night 2010: Blues n’Trouble, King King, Rosy Blue

Scotland’s biggest name blues band, Blues N’Trouble, headline a special blues package that also features one of the hottest new acts on the UK blues circuit, King King, and the popular smoky vocals of Rosy Blue. Blues N’Trouble have been touring the world since the mid-80’s and remarkably still feature frontmen, Tim Elliott on harmonica and vocals, and Mike Park on guitar in a two guitar attack with Sandy Tweeddale, playing in the US tradition of rockin’ electric blues. King King are a new band fronted by the charismatic guitarist/vocalist, Alan Nimmo playing high energy original rock-blues. Rosy Blue sings in duo with guitarist, Stuart Allardyce.

Three acts for the price of one!!

Glenrothes, Rothes Halls, Saturday 6 February, 8-10.30pm. Tickets £10 from 01592 611101

Carol Kidd + Richard Michael solo

Renowned for her impeccable phrasing and distinctive

delivery Carol Kidd has an innate ability to breathe fresh life into jazz standards. Her peerless voice swoops and soars around the Great American Songbook and her pick of pop tunes, caressing the ballads with wistful romance or performing every lively number like she’s the life and soul of the party.

Richard Michael opens the concert, showcasing the music on his new CD – solo jazz piano interpretations of Burns tunes.

Kirkcaldy, Adam Smith Centre, Saturday 6 Febuary, 8-10pm. Tickets £12 from 01592 583302

Norrbotten Big Band with Tim Hagans and Peter Erskine

Plus Arctic Youth Jazz Orchetsra

Widely acclaimed as one of the world’s leading Big Bands, the musicians from near the arctic circle have played and recorded with many of the major jazz artists of our time, and constantly

tour the world. Their latest project is a recording and tour with artistic director, New York trumpeter, Tim Hagans, and featuring the mighty drumming of ex Stan Kenton, Weather Report and Steps Ahead stick-man, Peter Erskine.  Erskine has played on over 500 records, with musicians as diverse as Steely Dan, Mike

Brecker, Chick Corea, Joni Mitchell, and Pat Metheny.

St Andrews, Byre Theatre, Saturday 6 February, 8.30-10.30pm. Tickets: £15 from 01334 475000

Late Night Jam Session

Musicians and singers playing at the Festival get together with the best local players for an informal session in the bar. Musically, anything can happen, and will, and it\’s sure to be a great atmosphere.

St Andrews,  Byre Theatre (bar),

Saturday 6 February, 10pm. Free

Calum Gourlay Quintet

The Dunfermline bass player is becoming one of the stars of the London jazz scene. He’s got an exciting new band – A three horns, bass and drums quintet playing original music and hip arrangements of “standards”.  “It’s a kind of a Mingus-ECM-Chamber Jazz kind of group with a really stripped down pianoless sound”, says Calum. Featuring Tom McNiven (trumpet) and Martin Kershaw  (alto sax).

Dunfermline, Carnegie Hall (Tiffany’s), Saturday 6 February, 10pm-midnight.  Tickets: £7.50 from 01353

Jonathan Cairney

Dunfermline singer and son of the famous actor has put together a classy show of jazz standards and ballads, with a great band featuring pianist, Euan Stevenson. He’s been lead singer of the Big Buzzard Boogie Band, but now with the Trio’s more laid back and swinging approach, we can hear the real qualities in a fine singer.

Dunfermline, Carnegie Hall (Tiffany’s), Friday 5 February, 10pm-midnight.  Tickets: £7.50 from 01353 602302

Sunday 7 February

Fat Sams Band

Scotland’s premiere swing/jump jive band play all the most popular tunes from their 25 year career – along with their trademark humour. Foot-tapping, infectiously upbeat jazz and swing, from the jive–talking, hip swinging era, this nine-piece band, fronted by the charismatic Hamish McGregor, pay homage to Louis Jordan, Louis Prima, and Count Basie…

Anstruther, The Craw’s Nest, Sunday 7 February, 1-3pm. Tickets £10 from 01592 611101

Angie King /Bruce Adams Quintet

Swinging jazz and classy vocals. There’s no finer singer in Scotland than Ms King. She’s a real treasure to be discovered – with a voice of great character, control and passion, allied to a terrific musical brain. Here she is in relaxed and good humoured mode with the burnished ballads and bright peppy swing of Bruce Adams’ trumpet.

Charlestown, Elgin Hotel, Sunday 7 February, 2-4pm. Tickets £8 from 01592 611101

Fife Youth Jazz Orchestra / Arctic Youth Jazz Orchestra

The youth band from the Arctic Circle in Sweden’s far north are welcomed by Fife’s very own top youth band in a double header of swinging Big Band music, New York trumpeter, Tim Hagans directs the AYJO, and leading UK jazz educator, Richard Michael, directs the band he’s led for over 30 years.

Freuchie, Lomond Hills Hotel, Sunday 7 February, 2-4pm. Tickets £10 from 01592 611101