Jazz & Jazz

A key event at Fest Jazz 2016 was Joan Chamorro’s enlightening masterclass on how to teach jazz to young people. It was a unique opportunity for fans to meet and question this extraordinarily gifted man who is having such amazing success with his very personal and intuitive methods of teaching the music.

Joan has become a good friend and is very supportive of Jazz&Jazz. After the Masterclass I seized the opportunity to ask him how he can tell when a youngster has what it takes to become a star. His reply demonstrated his modesty and sincerity. All of his students are equally important to him. They themselves have to have the desire to become good musicians. Then, if he recognises they have what it takes, he will encourage them to go further and achieve their full potential. But no way is it his intention to become their agent. Thanks go to my namesake, Peter Butler, a key member of the Fest Jazz team, for translating!

Sant Andreu – an Independent Project
The Sant Andreu Jazz Band is Joan’s very own project, has no connection with municipal schools and receives no grants or public funding. As both their teacher and mentor, he organises classes and rehearsals on his own premises for his potential stars and if they decide for themselves they want to take up careers in music he will set them on the right paths.

With his unique coaching methods, Joan cannot help but make stars, whilst at the same time exposing all of his Sant Andreu students to the wonders of music and in particular jazz.

Without question Joan is one of my Jazz Heroes and close to, if not top of my list. He deserves our support.

Fun, Exhilaration and Interaction
I filmed the following numbers during the band’s Fest Jazz Masterclass performances. They demonstrate the youngsters’ fun, exhilaration and interaction with each other and love for the music. Following that are YouTubes taken backstage during one of the band’s sessions in the main marquee. Why backstage? One, because there was no room for a clear view filming front of stage due to the packed audience. Two, because it enabled me to capture the interaction of the youngsters between themselves and with Joan – and even some of their hushed backstage banter.

Filming Backstage in The Grand Marquee:

That’s all for now Jazz Fans! In a later post I will feature YouTubes of the Fest Jazz 2016 Grand Finalé featuring The Andrea Motis/Joan Chamorro Quintet and The Sant Andreu Jazz Band in full force.

Peter M Butler
Editor & Proprietor Jazz&Jazz

(Photos & YouTubes © Peter M Butler, Jazz&Jazz)

“Panique sur le Manche” stars talented youngster 13 year old Eliot Busca on lead guitar with his father on bass starring at Fest Jazz 2016. Eliot lives close by Châteauneuf-du-Foau.

Translated into English “le Manche “ or rather “manche de guitare” is the guitar fretboard, but there’s no sign of “panique” or fret in Eliot’s performance!

Vive la jeunesse en le jazz!

Peter M Butler
Editor & Proprietor Jazz&Jazz

(Photos & YouTubes © Peter M Butler, Jazz&Jazz)

Trevor Stent works wonders in welcoming international stars to Fest Jazz and the 2016 Festival was no exception. Beautiful Taimane Gardner enthralled fans with her magically rhythmic performance. Taimane has played Ukulele, sung and danced for George Clooney, John Travolta and the Dalai Lama … and now for Fest Jazz fans!

Peter M Butler
Editor & Proprietor Jazz&Jazz

(Photos & YouTubes © Peter M Butler, Jazz&Jazz)

Trevor Stent stopped Ginny and me on his way to take in Ben Holder in Fest Jazz Scene 3. “How’s Ben doing,” he asked. Ginny replied, “The Marquee is overflowing with fans. He’s taken them by storm.” When he emailed me after the festival, Trevor commented: “It was great to see Ben Holder so well received, he is an extraordinary talent.”

This is one of my “Take Two YouTubes” because, having been almost swept off my feet by the massing fans while filming, if I could have filmed it again I would have! But rather than “taking it away” I’ve left the footage unedited to see if anyone recognises the fellow glimpsed in the
very last frame!!!

Next up “Temptation” and “It Don’t Mean A Thing If You Ain’t Got That Swing”

Peter M Butler
Editor & Proprietor Jazz&Jazz

(Photos & YouTubes © Peter M Butler, Jazz&Jazz)

Speaking from the steps of the Town Hall, Châteauneuf-du-Faou, Maire Jean-Pierre Roland officially opened Fest Jazz 2016 by welcoming everyone in French and Spanish, followed by Festival Présidente, Angelina Beauvir, speaking in the Breton language (widely spoken in the region) and by Festival Organiser Trevor Stent. Not easy filming ducking and diving amongst the mass of enthusiastic fans, including rally members of MGs and other Classic cars from the UK and France who participate in the festival each year.

YouTubes follow below.

Joan Chamorro and The Saint Andreu Jazz Band were especially welcome back to Fest Jazz in their 10th Anniversary Year.

Joan Chamorro and The Sant Andreu Jazz Band

“Fest Jazz organisers were especially pleased to welcome back Joan Chamorro and The Sant Andreu Jazz Band – probably the most famous young jazz band in the world. Led by its inspirational director, Joan Chamorro, this municipal school of music from Barcelona has an international impact on the jazz world.

“From its ranks of young musicians aged from 8 to 20, real stars have emerged. Angelina Beauvir, President of Fest Jazz, writing in the Festival Programme, says “We are delighted and proud that this extraordinary talented group of musicians have chosen to come back to Fest Jazz to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of their Music School.” (Fest Jazz 2016 Programme)

During the festival Joan gave a Masterclass Conference about the methods he uses to teach young people music with an emphasis on jazz. This will be covered in with a selection of YouTubes very soon.

Thank you La Municipality du Cháteauneuf du Faou for supporting for Fest Jazz.

Vivre à Châteauneuf – La municipalité

Peter M Butler
Editor & Proprietor Jazz&Jazz

(Photos & YouTubes © Peter M Butler, Jazz&Jazz)

If Pop Festivals can use psychedelic lighting, why not Jazz Festivals? Why not stage lighting with intense, vivid colours in swirling abstract patterns? That was the thinking of Trevor Stent’s young festival team for Fest Jazz 2016. And it worked! Even if it did play havoc with my Sony/iPhone lens camera for hi def filming. But with the right settings and a few iMovie tweaks I believed the resultant YouTubes could be almost as spectacular as the live events. Even though filming from the very back of the fan-packed marquee.

French Rag recreate the swing and dance music of the pre-war years.

Ginny and I were put to the test on the very first evening in “Stêr Aon” i.e.Scene 1 – The Grand Marquee where we filmed The French Rag and Mr Boogie Woogie, and here are the YouTubes. Yet more evidence of youth appeal at a wonderfully successful festival.

Forthcoming Instalments
This is Part 2 of a series of posts featuring Jazz&Jazz YouTubes taken at Fest Jazz 2016. Further instalments are currently under production. 

Part 1: Fest Jazz 2016 – A Blue Print For Jazz Festivals

Be sure to revisit Jazz&Jazz soon for each  successive instalment.

Peter M Butler
Editor & Proprietor Jazz&Jazz

(Photos & YouTubes © Peter M Butler, Jazz&Jazz)