Celebrating Fest Jazz 2015 Châteauneuf-du-Faou

 

Jack Danielle’s String Band

Jack Danielle’s String Band

Back in June Trevor Stent emailed me: “June 21st in France is the annual “Fête de la Musique” when all across the country, from the smallest village to the biggest city, local councils organise groups of all types and styles to play in the streets, in the squares, in the bars and the restaurants. Amateurs alongside professionals, schoolchildren next to seasoned musicians, jazz next to rock, classical, folk etc etc.  

“It’s one enormous party which goes on well into the night. My band, Good Time Jazz, played in Pleyben, a small town in Brittany before returning to Châteauneuf-du-Faou to join in the local celebrations and groups playing in the main square.

An apt precursor to Fest Jazz in Châteauneuf-du-Faou, Trevor!
I regret being unable to be there this year due to personal circumstances but I so much appreciate that you have chosen Jazz&Jazz to feature yet another glorious 24th to 26th July festival weekend.

Trevor concluded his email to me: “Fête de la Musique is such an obvious and successful idea. Why doesn’t it happen in the UK? If only we could get the UK press on board – to overlook their prejudices against jazz and occasionally take on board the positives of our European neighbours!”

Thank you Trevor, for the photographs and YouTubes of Fest Jazz 2015.

Above: Young Breton trumpet star, Malo Mazurié, leads the Hot Sugar Band with the aid of Attila Korb, trombonist from the Bohem Ragtime Jazz Band.
Left: Jean Philippe Scali Pianist Hot Sugar Band

Le Bardi Manchot

Le Bardi Manchot

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The pre-festival party on the Thursday evening with Le Bardi Manchot a fine young band from Toulouse:

Sean Moyses

Sean Moyses enthralls the fans.

Raphaële Atlan

Raphaële Atlan, singer, pianist and composer

Natascha Rogers

Natascha Rogers, percussionist and vocalist

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trevor Stent introduces his young organisers and volunteers.

Trevor Stent introduces his young organisers and volunteers.

Mathilde Dupeyron Chargée de Communication Fest Jazz.

Mathilde Dupeyron Chargée de Communication Fest Jazz.

Electric Swing Circus

Electric Swing Circus

Benoit Gaudiche Good Time Jazz

Benoit Gaudiche Good Time Jazz

The Fringe Festival!

The Fringe Festival!

Super mainstream jazz from the Olivier Leveau Quartet with sax star David Sauzay…..

                           

"Old Chaps"

“Old Chaps”

Audrey Vocalist with Old Chaps

Audrey Vocalist with Old Chaps

Hippocampus Jass Gang

Hippocampus Jass Gang

Emily Cole Hippocampus Jass Gang

Emily Cole Hippocampus Jass Gang

 

Last but not least Shake Rattle and Roll with Davell Crawford!

Peter M Butler
Editor & Proprietor Jazz&Jazz

YouTubes and Photos Courtesy of  Trevor Stent, Fest Jazz, 2015

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Comments

  1. Trevor Stent says:

    Thanks for the article, Peter. Three things I would like to highlight: the (fairly) broad range of jazz on offer at Fest Jazz. Not all will be to everyone’s taste (nor should it be) but I think the programme has “coherence” (the link between Blues and Rock’n’Roll is obvious for example). Also the fact that young people are involved in the organisation of the festival and in presenting it. I think that has been very important in keeping a young “feel” to Fest Jazz. Finally the stage lighting and presentation gives the concerts a professional feel that so many jazz festivals lack. We are certainly not perfect and there are many things we can improve but I do think we are on the right lines to get young people interested in jazz again.

  2. Peter Butler says:

    We need more of the same, Trevor.

  3. Jim McIntosh says:

    Monsieur Stent

    You are correct! Stage lighting etc has been pretty well non existent at some UK festivals. Usually lighting that “worked OK last year”…but “a few bulbs missing this year”! I really like the playing of Malo Mazurié. A good no-nonsense hot trumpet LEAD – not heard much nowadays. Bravo!!

  4. Jim McIntosh says:

    I am of course refering to his playing in the Hot Sugar Band

  5. Norman & Meryl says:

    Well and truly said Trevor. We spoke with many of the young people on your fantastic team and they were very enthusiastic and related very easily with us jazz oldies. As you are aware, we are not stuck too firmly in the classic ‘trad’ mode, and enjoy what these young, and very talented, young French musicians are achieving with their presentations of the New Orleans music we so love. Even the electro swing ‘stuff’ has a lot going for it, but you need to be ‘young at heart’ to get amongst it – so to speak ! The young band, calling themselves ‘Old chaps’, were particularly a breath of fresh air, and we can see you inviting them back before long. Will their vocalist arise as a new Amy Winehouse we wonder ! We are agreed that you certainly are offering a really good broad mix of jazz genres,and the new all covered venues on the site were great as the weather this year could have been better. We now find it difficult to get excited about visiting our UK jazz festivals, as the appeal of FestJazz has very much ‘raised the bar’ in presentation and quality. Yes Trevor, you are doing it right and ‘more power to your elbow’. Norman & Meryl

  6. Peter Butler says:

    Lessons to be learned in all of this! Also in the type of YouTubes which capture most attention. More about that whenever I can find the time.

  7. Sean Moyses says:

    A brilliant and unique festival where young AND old co-habitate the same genre. How refreshing not to be entrapped by the same old “same old” and have a new slant of firm traditions without resorting to simply selling out to modern music and trends. Trevor has something very special indeed here and it was a delight to be part of the programme and show my family the delights of jazz without feeling that the dust need not settle.

  8. Peter Butler says:

    Sean, I’m glad that with Trevor’s input I could feature this year’s brilliant festival. Sad that I couldn’t be there but circumstances conspired against me. But even so, now I feel I was a part of it. So here’s to next year!

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