First details announced for return of Ipswich Jazz Festival in 2018
Claire Hirst on saxophone at the 2017 Ipswich Jazz Festival. Picture: IAN BUZER - Credit: Ian Buzer
The first details of next year’s Ipswich Jazz Festival have been revealed – with international artists and top workshops set to grace the town in the summer.
Ipswich Jazz Festival logo. Picture: IPSWICH JAZZ FESTIVAL - Credit: Archant
Following the success of the 2017 festival, which returned after a one-year hiatus with more than 1,000 visitors, work has already been underway on next year’s event set for June 22-24.
The not-for-profit weekend features live concerts from renowned jazz performers, as well as free pub gigs, film screenings, art, tutorials and workshops across three packed days of entertainment.
Next year, Italian outfit Rumba de Bodas will headline the Friday night with their lively mix of danceable reggae, Balkan jazz and Latin music.
Claude Deppa on trumpet, Ipswich Jazz Festival 2017. Picture: IAN BUZER - Credit: Ian Buzer
The Saturday will be headlined by the Stars at St Peter’s supergroup, featuring vocalist Ian Shaw, saxophonists Brandon Allen and Vasilis Xenopoulis and the Chris Ingram Trio.
Sunday’s festivities will be rounded out by Jacqui Dankworth.
The headline concerts will take place at St Peter’s by the Waterfront.
Back to Basie orchestra, with sax player Alex Garnett performing at the Ipswich Jazz Festival in 2017. Picture: IAN BUZER - Credit: Ian Buzer
Neil Bateman, festival organiser, said: “It’s turning into a local arts fixture in the calendar.
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“The last festival was really successful – they [the performers] all had standing ovations and we came out of it reasonably well financially, which is really important for us to be able to keep it going.
“It’s really nice to be able to have this event in the town, and we want to built on it this year, so we are putting in for a much bigger arts council grant.”
Busking for the first Ipswich Jazz Festival in 2015. Picture: IAN BUZER - Credit: Archant
Alongside the headliners, the organisers are hoping to arrange smaller gigs at other pubs and venues, as well as workshops in jazz dancing, music photography, and jazz percussion and guitar.
Film screenings and art exhibitions will also feature.
The festival already has Music World, Carplan and BBC Radio Suffolk on board as sponsors, but is continuing to seek businesses who can help support the festival.
Tickets are not currently on sale, but will go live on the website in the new year.
Mr Bateman added: “One thing I am keen to do is to have a jazz festival that is inclusive, so we do try and have some free gigs and an education side as part of that.”
To find out how to get involved as a volunteer or sponsor, email the organisers here.
For more information on when tickets go on sale visit the website here or the Facebook page.
