THE fourth Malvern Jazz Weekend brought jazz of the highest quality to the bars and pubs in the centre of Great Malvern over the weekend, with a mouthwatering selection of gigs to tempt modern and contemporary jazz fans.
Local group the Groove Front kicked off proceedings at the Foley Arms Hotel with their own brand of horn-and-Hammond 60s Blue Note jazz, with further gigs at the Red Lion, Great Malvern Hotel and Oliver's later in the evening.
Saturday evening brought a bright new talent from the Birmingham Conservatoire, pianist Piera Onacko, who performed with her trio at Malvern Lounge, playing a set of her own compositions - definitely a jazz name to watch in the future.
The highlight of the evening, which brought a highly appreciative audience to Oliver's, was headliner Jean Toussaint. He started his career in the New York jazz scene with the legendary Art Blakey in the 1980s, before moving to the UK and showed just why he is one of the most respected tenor sax players in the UK, with a stunning set of originals and standards, backed by a trio of youngsters from the conservatoire.
The Jazz Weekend continues to grow in stature, and we are extremely grateful to the sponsors, Malvern Hills District Council, the Friday Beer Company and the Best of Malvern Hills.
The next event will take place over Easter weekend 2016. We would be delighted to hear from any businesses or individuals who would be interested in sponsoring the weekend to help us continue to keep it as a free event to the public.
ROBIN MILLER
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