Aberjazz
Biographies

 

 

Aberjazz Night-Out Event 

Remi Harris - Man of the World

Remi Harris' latest venure, celebrating the life and music of Peter Green, founder of the original Fleetwood Mac. Guitarist Remi Harris will be joined by vocalist Dave Small, bassist Tom Moore and Nicky Waters on drums to perform music from throughout Peter Green's career. Including such classics as Man Of The World, Black Magic Woman, Need Your Love So Bad, Albatross and The Green Manalishi (With The Two Prong Crown).

Saturday 30th September in Theatr Gwaun at 8pm tickets £15

 

 

The 20th Fishguard Jazz 'n' Blues

Festival

24th to 28th August

 

ADAM FRANKLIN & ANTHONY CRESCI DUO

Adam Franklin uses the musical vocabulary of acoustic blues with near perfect inflection.   He ​ is a superb exponent of blues and ragtime from a Golden Age of American music.  His performances are intense, energetic and highly entertaining.
Aberjazz audiences will be familiar with Anthony Cresci as he played quite a few times with The Bay Rum Hounds and last year with Snatch It Back.  He and Adam have recorded two albums as a duo which will be released very soon.

Friday 25th August in Ffwrn at 1pm - Tickets £10

 



BAIRES CONNECTION TANGO TRIO


BAIRES Connection is a tango jazz trio which features Astor Piazzolla’s works. The trio consists of Julieta Iglesias on piano, Ianina Pietrantonio on Flute and Camila de la Vega on percussion. Julieta Iglesias has a very distinguished career as a solo pianist.

Thursday 24th August in Peppers at 4pm - Tickets £12.50

 

BOOGALOO BABES

The Boogaloo Babes were established in 2018 by their Musical Director Anya who also leads the Pop Voices Community Choir based in The Midlands and Pembrokeshire. They are a vocal trio with an appetite for complex harmonies and vintage glamour. Anya, Donna, and Sophia perform songs in the style of the 1920’s-1960’s and have an array of costumes to match including authentic ENSA uniforms of the 40’s. As well as classic numbers from those eras they also perform jazz standards, motown and modern songs with a vintage twist. The girls are all experienced performers with vast experience in live bands and theatre productions and have a large following of local dancers who love the swing, jive and charleston to their music. They have performed at a number of weddings, corporate events, private parties, vintage fairs and festivals.

Sunday 27th August in Ffwrn at 1pm - Tickets £10


CHUBE


A young fusion band based in Cardiff featuring Ben Creighton-Griffiths on electric harp and keys, Ashley John-Long on bass and Jo Bradford-Jones on drums.  The electric harp combines with innovative percussion and groovy bass riffs to create a totally unique blend of Fusion.

Saturday 26th August in Peppers at 9:30pm - Tickets £12.50



CLEVELAND WATKISS  AND THE GREAT JAMAICAN SONGBOOK


We are very honoured to be able to present Cleveland Watkiss MBE as our headliner this year.  He was born in the East End of London, and is a virtuoso vocalist, actor and composer. He was awarded an MBE in the 2018 New Year’s Honours List for his services to music.  Cleveland was one of the co-founders of the vastly influential Jazz Warriors big band, many of whom went on to achieve international success, including artists such as Courtney Pine and Orphy Robinson, Dennis Rollins and Claude Deppa.

In this show Cleveland highlights ska, rocksteady, reggae and lovers’ rock, songs by the likes of Delroy Wilson, Gregory Isaacs and Prince Lincoln. Backed by a powerhouse seven-piece in a re-creation of many of the greatest Jamaican hits. Orphy Robinson doubles keyboard duties with Phil Ramocon, no doubt spicing things up with visits to the vibes. A further reminder of Jazz Warriors comes with outstanding trumpeter Byron Wallen and the band is completed by James Wade-Sired on trombone and a rhythm team of Alan Weekes, Delroy Murray and Carl Robinson.

The Great Jamaican Songbook features songs that tell poignant stories, about the times and the culture, with that deep and infectious original laid back drum and bass rhythm. 

Saturday 26th August in Ffwrn at 7:30pm tickets £25

 

 


THE LOUIS AND ELLA MUSIC SHOW

with Dave Cottle and Sarah Meek


T
he show is based around the jazz duets of Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald which were recorded with the Oscar Peterson Quartet in the late 1950s plus solo songs from the huge repertoire of music from both artists.
Dave Cottle is one of Wales’ most experienced and professional musicians playing piano, trumpet and vocals (sometimes at the same time!)  He has worked with hundreds of world class UK and international jazz musicians over his long career in jazz.
Sarah Meek is a rising star in the UK jazz scene with her immaculate vocal pitch, delivery, swing feel and stage presence.  Sarah has appeared at Aberjazz before in 2021 with her band Sheek.

Friday 25th August in Ffwrn at 1pm - Tickets £10

 

 


DAVE JONES QUINTET

Dave’s project ‘A Hole in One’ celebrates the music of the great saxophonist/composer Kenny Garrett.  The quintet is made up of Andy Hague (trumpet, flugelhorn, arranger) , Ashley John-Long on double bass,, Ben Waghorn on tenor sax and Ryan Thrupp on drums and Dave Jones on piano.  Dave has released numerous critically acclaimed albums, performed internationally and has TV composition credits including ‘The Big Bang Theory’, the US Open Golf Tournament, ‘The Today Show’ and ‘Location, Location, Location’, University Challenge, and Alan Carr’s Adventures with Agatha Christie

Saturday 26th August in Peppers at 4pm - Tickets £12.50 .

 

DAVE SPEIGHT

Dave has been performing acoustic blues for the last 55 years and says he is still happy to find that ‘I woke up this morning’.  He plays acoustic blues for the 1920s and 1930s and has made several recordings over the years, the most recent being ‘A Seam of the Blues’ in 2020.  He was proud to be inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2017.

Monday 28th August in Ffwrn at 1pm - Tickets £10

 

 

DIONNE BENNETT AND THE PEPPER SEEDS

Welsh-Jamaican singer, Dionne Bennett is internationally known for her unique vocals, which draw influence from Afroculture music.  She returns to inspire our jazz vocalists as they explore the richness of popular song repertoire from jazz and soul to Motown and reggae.
Dionne is internationally known for her unique and diverse vocal style that covers all Afro-culture influenced genres from blues, jazz to rhythm & blues, soul, reggae, drum bass funk, rock & roll, and beyond.

During her career she has performed throughout Europe, and has shared the stage with music legends such as Dr. John. She has released singles with renowned jazz pianist Jason Rebello, Grammy award winner saxophonist Tim Garland, and rock bands such as Super Furry Animals and “The Earth”. 

Saturday 26th August in Ffwrn at 7:30pm - Tickets £15


DOMINIC NORCROSS QUARTET


Dominic Norcross is a versatile tenor saxophonist who is capable of operating in both the jazz and blues fields. He has worked with blues legends Peter Green (ex Fleetwood Mac), Mick Taylor, ( ex Rolling Stones) and Snowy White (ex Pink Floyd and Thin Lizzy). Norcross has also worked with Bristol based blues guitarist/harpist/vocalist Eddie Martin who played at Aberjazz last year.  Norcross is an impressive jazz player too as evidenced by work with Don Weller and Digby Fairweather.. His quartet, who are based in Narberth include John Davies on guitar, Wayne Warlow (double bass) and ex Georgie Fame drummer Nigel Williams.

Friday 25th August in Peppers at 4pm - Tickets £12.50


ELAINA HOSS QUARTET

Anyone familiar with the Pembrokeshire jazz & blues scene will recognise vocalist Elaina Hoss, Nino Consolo on drums and Dominic Norcross on tenor sax as members of the popular 7 piece swing band, Numbers Racket. They are joined by Bristol based Hammond organ virtuoso, John Paul Gard.

Sunday 27th August in Ffwrn at 7:30pm - Tickets £15

 

GROOVING WITH PIRATES


This is a unique and exciting musical experience for children and their grown-ups including story-telling, a hard-grooving band and audience interaction.  Come and join Anne, Cheng and Eddie on their quest to find a magical treasure chest full of never ending sweets.  On their magic filled journey the trio learn a powerful lesson about the value of friendship.  The show is performed by top quality musicians who have years of family show experience.

Ticket options

Adult + Child £11.50 Adult + 2 children £15 Adult + 3 children £18
2 Adults + 2 children £23 2 Adults + 3 children £26.50 2 Adults + 4 children £29
Children under 3 free Adults £7.50

Two performances on Friday 25th August in Theatr Gwaun at 11am & 4pm

 

You can also buy tickets direct from the Theatr Gwaun website and choose your seat

THE HAWKMEN

The Hawkmen draw from an array of influences such as rhythm’n’blues, soul, and rock’n’roll which they bring together in a classic, rootsy, hybrid blend. The band emerged as a full, live act in 2017 following the early successes of soul 45 and Craig Charles favourite, Don’t Judge A Book By Its Cover (Record Kicks), a northern soul remix of Emma Beatson’s debut single Do It (selected by Craig Charles for the second volume of his Freestyle Records compilation series) and The Hawkmen’s blazing Keep On Working EP (Mocambo) which yielded another 45 and was widely played on BBC Radio 2 and Radio 6. In 2017 Love Is Blind was released and features on the Craig Charles Funk and Soul Club Vol.5 compilation and received more BBC 6 Music airplay. 2018 got of to a flying start with the release of the Chemistry Of Love single, yet more plays on BBC 6 Music, leading to a mini UK tour and concerts in Germany and France.

Friday 25th August in Ffwrn at 7:30pm tickets £12.50

 

IAGO BANET

Iago was born in Galicia in the north-west of Spain. As a teenager, he found a classical guitar at home and set about learning to master it. From that moment, there was no going back: guitar became his passion, his obsession and his future. After moving to the UK in 2014, Banet was involved with several bands of diverse style; touring and recording. These included The Boo-Hoos, JFK Blue and Deep Blue Sea. Since 2018, Banet has been building an impressive career as a solo fingerstyle acoustic guitarist, showcasing his immense talent and receiving rave reviews along the way. With two studio albums and a live album under his belt, Banet redefines the boundaries of the instrument; creating stories without words and enthralling audiences as he does so.Banet is releasing his third studio album in early 2023, and in it he will take the acoustic guitar to its limits. The album will feature new levels of skill, complexity and versatility, fusing styles including gypsy jazz, blues rock, country, dixieland, swing, pop and folk. Iago’s technique and approach to performance have captivated crowds across the UK and Spain. A one-man-band on acoustic guitar not to be missed.

Saturday 26th August in Ffwrn at 1:30pm - Tickets £10

 

 

DEBS HANCOCK

The Influences of Women in Jazz

The great Jazz Divas of the 20th Century had one thing in common. They primarily came from the wrong side of the tracks. These women were poor, black in the main and the pressure of life was heavily felt, but through their music they found a way of battling through. Heralded as the voices of the century these jazz divas gave us women’s everyday stories that reflected their struggles and made an indelible mark on the modern world. This performance heralds some key performances of women jazz divas on their musical journey, breaking glass ceilings, through the 20th Century. Debs Hancock’s smoky, velvet, sophisticated tones have graced stages at jazz festivals in Cheltenham, Swansea, Abergavenny and Fishguard and reached wider audiences on radio with such presenters as Jamie Owen, John Hellings, and Rhys Phillips. Debs is devoted to the legacies of the great jazz divas, such as Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Nina Simone, and Dinah Washington. The Great American Songbook is her book. She performs with the best accompanying musicians in Wales. Vocals: Debs Hancock Piano: Dave Jones Double Bass: Nick Kacal Saxophone: Deborah Glenister

Monday 28th August in Peppers at 4pm - Tickets £12.50

THE J4 QUARTET – BEATLES WITH A JAZZ TWIST

For lovers of Beatles music and jazz this is something not to be missed.  The J4 Quartet have managed to bring variation and improvisation to the original songs without losing the spirit of the original songs.  They have skilfully adapted the songs without losing any of the melody and beauty of the originals. They really give the Beatles music considered, sensitive and excellent jazz interpretations.  J4 consists of four well known musicians, James Chadwick, guitarist and composer, Dave Jones on piano, Ian Williams on drums and Don Sweeney on double bass.

Sunday 27th August in Peppers at 6pm - Tickets £12.50

 

THE JAKE LEG JUG BAND

This excellent band play the authentic sounds of 1920s and 1930s America, jazz, blues, gospel and ragtime and they put their own twist on it.  Songs of murder, betrayal, gambling, liquor and redemption.  They played at Aberjazz in 2021 and the audience loved them.

Sunday 27th August in Ffwrn at 9:30pm - Tickets £10

THE JAZZ PASSENGERS

The leader of the Jazz Passengers is Richard Hamer. Dick’s musical path has taken two main directions, those of performing and education. As a player, his early career was in Mecca ballroom bands, theatre and cabaret work, with artists such as The Supremes, The Drifters, Martha Reeves, Lenny Henry, and many more. Later, TV and recording sessions, and more “legit” work, with (such as concerts with BBC NOW) followed. He currently plays with the Capital City Jazz Orchestra, runs a quartet, and a Latin 8 piece, and the latest project, the Jazz Passengers. The Jazz Passengers play jazz standards, swing, Latin and bossanova and consist of Dick Hamer on sax/flute, Gethin Liddington on Trumpet, Phil Jarvis on Trombone, Ashley John Long on double bass, Paul Shepherd on drums, Richard West on piano and Jenny Jones on vocals.

Saturday 26th August in Ffwrn at 7:30pm - Tickets £15

 

 

JO CARLEY AND THE OLD DRY SKULLS

Jo Carley and The Old Dry Skulls (UK) are a band like no other and will be bringing their Voodoo Vaudeville Blues on tour to the UK and Europe in 2023.  The music takes influence from early vaudeville blues acts such as Victoria Spivey via Cab Calloway but adding a creepy and theatrical twist that echoes Dr John and Screamin Jay Hawkins, all with an upbeat dose of old timey rock n roll, skiffle, calypso and a 1930's vibe. The whole show is led by voodoo queen of England Jo Carley as she takes the audience on a journey to Voodoo Island, telling tales of the strange happenings and even stranger characters. Backed by her song-writing partner and husband Tim Carley, a man of considerable size who plays “syncopated rhythms to shake your soul” on a beaten up archtop guitar, kick drum and rattlin’ shoe, with fellow fiend James Le Huray providing the final ingredients of the spell, in the shape of double bass and banjo. They combine the voodoo sounds and syncopated rhythms of the blues, but uniquely delivered with an old timey vaudeville twist.  It’s music that makes people wanna come down and shake their bones!

Saturday 26th August in Ffwrn at 1:30pm - Tickets £10

 

 

LI HARDING & GARY PHILLIPS BAND

Li is a very versatile singer who combines her vocal skills with a dynamic presentation. She has sang in many different settings and styles from cabaret to rhythm & blues, funk and soul. She will be accompanied on guitar by ace guitarist Gary Phillips (Amigos), Dave Cottle on keyboard and trumpet, Robin Hames on bass and Ray Dijon on drums. Li Harding appeared at the 2008 Aberjazz festival and when we saw her with her band at Brecon Jazz last year we decided they were so good we would have to bring her back again to Aberjazz.

Thursday 24th August in Ffwrn at 7:30pm tickets £12.50

 

 

 

LITTLE RUMBA

The band writes all their own music and over the years this has developed an instantly recognizable house style which owes debts to East Europe and South America as well as jazz and blues.   Little Rumba’s musicians come from very different musical backgrounds which is why the band presents such a unique blend of styles.

Festival Curtain raiser on Thursday 24th August at 1pm

with No Mean Biscuit & Little Rumba

Tickets £12.50

 

 



N’FAMADY KOUYATE

The headliner at The Aberjazz Party this year is N'famady Kouyaté who plays balafon (a traditional wooden xylophone), and fronts and Afro/Jazz/Pop band. N'famady is from Guinea, but lives in Cardiff, and following a support slot on Gruff Rhys’ tour has been a favourite of Focus Wales.  He has played at many festivals in the last year including Cambridge Folk Festival and represented Wales at Showcase Scotland (former Flaming Lips) and also Gruff Rhys, resulting in a West African sound packed full of western jazz, pop, and funk. 

N'Famady Koutate won theGlastonbury's Emerging Talent Competition 2023..

Monday 28th August in Ffwrn at 7:30pm - Tickets £15

 

NO MEAN BISCUIT

Our festival opener this year.  They have played at Aberjazz many times in the fringe part of the festival and have just got better and better.  They play a mixture of songs, many with an up-tempo beat for any dancers out there.

Thursday 24th August in Ffwrn at 1pm - Tickets £12.50

 

Festival Curtain raiser on Thursday 24th August at 1pm

with No Mean Biscuit & Little Rumba

Tickets £12.50

ONCO FONCO

A coming together of two popular local bands, Honey Fungus and Daisy B, featuring the lovely voices of Angharad and Daisy in perfect harmony. Onco Fonco are a Pembrokeshire based 5 piece band with two powerful female vocalists, ringing guitar riffs and a driving rhythm section creating modern folk based music inspired by the wild seas and rolling hills that surround them. https://youtu.be/IbVzvJbaesk

Thursday 24th August in Ffwrn at 7:30pm tickets £12.50

 

 

PISTOL PETE WEARN & OLLY PARRY

This duo bring together rustic pre-war blues with hokum, hoedown and mournful balladry. Their finger-picked blues guitar and lightly-skipping fiddle take you from frivolity to sounds of the vaudeville stage via the dark Appalacian gothic to the roof rattling barn dance evoking the ghosts of the old time string band and murderous outlaws. As a solo artist Pete has been twice named 'solo blues artist of the year and has had his music played on BBC 6 music.

Monday 28th August in Ffwrn at 1pm tickets £10

 

THE SHARON CLANCY TRIO

Sharon Clancy is a well-known performer on the Irish jazz scene. Though raised in Wexford, she spent many years both acting and performing in London’s West End. She recently finished a four weekend residency at Kelly’s Hotel, Rosslare, and is a frequent performer at the Left Bank in Kilkenny. She is most celebrated in Ireland for her headlining concerts with the Chris Colloton Trio and other combos at Jazz at Johnstown. Her seven concerts at Jazz at Johnstown since 2021 have all sold out. She will appear twice at the Jazz at Johnstown festival in 2023

Thursday 24th August in Peppers at 9pm tickets £12.50

 

 

 

SISTER BODHI

Sister Bodhi, is a collaboration of two songwriters, Jodie Marie (www.jodiemarie.co.uk) & Bella Collins (www.bellacollinsmusic.com) performing blues infused original songs, laced with Everly-esque harmonies.

As solo artists both Jodie & Bella had appeared at Aberjazz on several occassions before coming together in inpromptu session in Tenby in 2017 where they immediately bonded and became Sister Bodhi.

They both continue to peform as solo artists and between them they have an impressive CV having worked with the likes of Decca Records, Andy Fairweather Low, Dewi Watkins, Richard Dunn, Pete Mathison, John David, Bernard Butler, Ed Harcourt, Dan Smith (Noisettes), Jimmy Hogarth, Martin Craft, Green Gartside, Nerina Pallot, Will Young, Jim Adkins (Jimmy Eat World), Jonathan Jeremiah, Jamie Lawson, Callum Scott, Ward Thomas, The Shires, The Troggs, & Caryl Parry Jones.

Sister Bodhi recorded their debut EP, “Live at Carmel”, at Studiowz recording studio, at the foot of the Preseli hills in a converted Welsh chapel.

Saturday 26th August in St Mary's Church at 4:30pm tickets £10

 

THE ST LOUIS EXPRESS

A 7 piece jump jive band playing music from 1930s, 40s, 50s and early 60s. Songs of Louis Prima, Ray Charles, Sinatra and Louis Jordan. They are all about fun music and perfect for dancers.

Sunday 27th August in Ffwrn at 7:30pm tickets £15

 

STEVE AJAO BLUES GIANTS

Now in its fifth decade, the Blues Giants trio play authentic classic American Blues with music by legends such as Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Jimi Hendrix, Robert Parker, Johnny Guitar Watson and more, as well as some soul and rock 'n' roll classics. Steeped in the Blues and Jazz all his life, Birmingham guitarist Steve Ajao and his Blues Giants (Mike Hatton – Bass, and latest recruit, (1993!) former Au Pairs drummer Pete ‘Washboard’ Hammond) have been thrilling audiences for 40 years and Steve is regarded by many as one of the hottest Blues guitarists in the UK, as well as being in possession of the kind of mountainous voice that was made for the Blues. A must see act.

Friday 25th August in Ffwrn at 7:30pm tickets £12.50

 

THE WILL BARNES QUARTET

This is an exciting jazz quartet led by Will Barnes on guitar playing an array of original tunes mixed with a few classic standards rearranged to their style of postbop/hardbop/bebop. Will is joined by gifted musicians Clovis Phillips, Jack Gonzalez and James Batten – a tight collective of highly experienced jazz instrumentalists. Their sound is fresh, consistently breathing new life into some classic works alongside Will’s memorable compositions that leave audiences wanting more.

Friday 25th August in Peppers at 9:30pm - Tickets £12.50

 

YETII

'Yetii' is a Bristol based acoustic jazz trio featuring Alex Merritt on sax, Ashley John-Long on bass and Alex Goodyear on drums. The group creates a sound world of complex yet consonant harmony supporting simple, singable melodies. Solos morph into intense group improvisations that focus on interlocking, minimalist fragments: a shared single voice that ebbs and flows between and within the band’s original compositions.

Sunday 27th August in Peppers at 9:30pm - Tickets £12.50

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TONGUE & GROOVE

Tongue’n’Groove are a new five piece funk and dance band from North Pembrokeshire. They consist of Jimmy Banks, David Pepper, Pete Warren-Lavis and brothers Charlie and Henry Willatts. Jimmy, the front man, who comes from a stage and theatre background mainly, has a great passion for the voice and singing from the soul. The rest of the lads are all experienced musicians having played in countless groups and different genres around the world and also played together in school bands over a decade ago! They decided to target the funk genre as the home base as, primarily, it’s a lot of fun to play and dance to, but also provides a platform to exercise their technical abilities. With winter around the corner and a lot of global uncertainty you can rest assured that a party with Tongue’n’Groove will leave you smiling from ear to ear!

You can find out more on Instagram

Monday 28th August in Ffwrn at 7:30pm - Tickets £15

 

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