Ben Waters and his thirteen year old son, Tom, filled the floor with dancers at Fest Jazz,
Châteauneuf-du-Faou, July, 2014.

“A fabulous boogie-woogie pianist with enormous energy to go with his wonderful talent, Ben stars at jazz festivals around the world and with The Rolling Stones.” Tom is equally talented on saxophone and together they are star performers.

Fest Jazz, Châteauneuf-du-Faou, Brittany, is a jazz festival with a difference. Sure there was New Orleans and Traditional Jazz with Tuba Skinny, The Limehouse 7 and Trevor Stent’s Good Time Jazz Band, but there was also Mainstream Jazz PLUS Ben Waters.

Because Fest Jazz “mixes it a bit”

This way it doesn’t just appeal to ageing jazz fans but also to the local towns people and youngsters. This was its 10th Anniversary Year and it was more successful than ever. Whether or not such a jazz festival would appeal to UK fans is questionable. But if so, who knows, it might even attract some commercial backing.

Personally my favourite is New Orleans Revivalist Jazz but I enjoy other genres too and if mixing it a bit could stir things up I’d be all for it.

In this YouTube Ben and Tom bring the house down so you’ll need to dodge the mass of dancers to get sight of them on stage.  (Best viewed on YouTube for full screen. Be sure to hit HD).

Photos & YouTubes © Peter M Butler, Jazz&Jazz

Tuba Skinny went down a storm at Fest Jazz, Châteauneuf-du-Faou, Brittany, in July, 2014. The grand marquee audience was spellbound. This was just about the only number I could film in the marquee without dancers blocking the view. But then that’s what Fest Jazz is about, fun, great jazz and DANCING.

Thank you Trevor Stent and Châteauneuf-du-Faou for Fest Jazz. May it continue to reach the heights of this, its Tenth Anniversary year.

Photos & YouTubes © Peter M Butler, Jazz&Jazz

Just sit back and enjoy the YouTube below of Barnacle Bill’s performance of “I Wish I Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate” in the Belgian Bar for the second session of a highly successful 2014 Ramsgate Seaside Shuffle in July. Accompanied by Trefor Williams on bass, Jimmy Tagford, drums and Ray Perkins, keyboard. Be sure to watch it in HD.

Sadly Bill, who is 87, announced to the audience that he would soon be “taking early retirement” as band leader and jazz musician. You will be sorely missed by your enduring fans, Bill.

Photos & YouTubes © Peter M Butler, Jazz&Jazz

Starring Sammy Rimington – last at Hemsby in 2008

Also starring:

From the USA, Chris Tyle

Dynamic Baby Jools

Festival Favourites Eric Webster and Trefor Williams

Photos © Peter M Butler, Jazz&Jazz

IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO ALL WELWYN GARDEN CITY
PEARTREE JAZZ CLUB MEMBERS AND FANS 

Don’t miss our special Summertime Gig at Lemsford Village Hall, 12.30 – 3.30pm on Sunday, 24th August – details on poster below. It’s The Frog Island Jazz Band so DON’T MISS OUT!

Robert Duis, leader of Holland’s renowned Limehouse Jazz Band and his Limehouse Seven  especially assembled for the festival. Their captivating spontaneous performance in Penn ar Pont Square during Châteauneuf-du-Faou’s welcoming ceremony for Fest Jazz was
a scene stealer!

Bretagne musicians setting the scene.

Welcoming speeches.

The Limehouse Seven liven up proceedings with Rent Party Blues!
(Best viewed in HD)

Photos & YouTube © Peter M Butler, Jazz&Jazz

The Limehouse Jazzband, formed in 1965, is soon to celebrate it’s Golden Jubilee. Originally from Haarlem City, near Amsterdam, the band has developed a huge reputation for specialising in New Orleans music of the 1920/1932 era.

Robert Duis

Musicians from the band, including their leader, Robert Duis, appeared at Jazz Fest in Châteauneuf-du-Faou in July as The Limehouse Seven, featured in the festival programme as “A Virtuoso Group specialising in the Art of New Orleans Music”.

Robert has since introduced the band to Jazz&Jazz. Their website is at: http://www.limehouse-jazzband.nl and I am pleased to feature their forthcoming gig in The Netherlands on Friday, 15th August, “JAZZ BUFFET”, at Beek, Montferland.

If you happen to be holidaying in the area why not seize the opportunity to go along.

For reservations email: [email protected] or [email protected]