THE very first Wells Jazz & Blues Festival is set to get the city swinging from September 26-28.
This free new event is the passion project of local resident Niamh McGrogan. Driven by a desire to bring something special to the community, she has rallied a group of local musicians and supporters to bring festival performances to four local venues: The White Hart, The Swan Hotel, Blossom’s at Wells, and The Rose and Crown.
Each venue will host up to nine bands and artists throughout the weekend, promising an exciting mix of local and regional jazz and blues musicians, with 24 bands already confirmed to perform over the three days.
They are (with descriptions from the organisers):
The Groove Soul Academy brings an uplifting afternoon of Funk and Soul anthems together with the infectious groove of Latin Jazz.
Rush Hour bring you blues with the soul and groove to make you move. Four seasoned performers will take you on a journey from raw emotion to rockin’ good times, with an eclectic mix of hidden gems.
Mojo Workin’. This funky blues outfit plays a swaggering, soulful style of blues from Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf and Freddie King to Aretha Franklin, Robert Johnson, Nina Simone and James Brown.
Harlem Rhythm Cats are a Boogie Woogie & Blues Band playing the very best smokin’ hot classics from the Forties and Fifties.
Shepton Mallet Big Band. A vibrant group of about 20 enthusiastic musicians, their set includes music from the golden big band era of the 1940s and also contemporary funk and soul style music.
Portway Blues Band are a local five-piece rhythm and blues band playing high-energy originals and classic covers from Albert King to ZZ Top.
Vintage Twist are a Somerset-based four-piece band serving up an eclectic cocktail of modern rock and pop classics infused with the jazz, blues and swing twist of a bygone era.
The Jazz Disciples are Wells Cathedral School’s premier jazz musicians and performers of the Glastonbury Festival Wishing Well stage.
Ruby Jazz is a Bristol-based upbeat Swing and Jazz band for weddings, parties, vintage events, music venues playing jazz from the 1920s-1950s
Edward Leaker Band’s original tunes represent a wide range of influences from contemporary smooth jazz to Latin, soul and funk – the style is rooted in groove with a strong emphasis on melody in the tradition of performers such as David Sanborn, Kirk Whalum and Pee Wee Ellis among others.
JNP Trio are strongly rooted in the trio tradition of make it Swing, make it Groove, bring some Blues, let the Jazz flow. Great to dance to, for rubbing your jazz chin, tapping your foot, clicking your fingers or doing the crossword to, JNP Trio have you covered
The Dirty Swindlers is a band based in and around Bristol and Somerset. They play a heady mix of raucous rock ’ n’ roll, country-tinged gospel blues and 1960s dance craze music guaranteed to get anyone up and dancing in the bar-room of their bourbon-soaked dreams.
The Swing Jazz Project is a group of mature musicians based in North Somerset who formed a band to take you back to the glorious days of Swing.
3Play are a contemporary UK Smooth Jazz Trio playing songs by Bob James, Shakatak, George Duke, Fourplay, Jeff Lorber and more, plus original songs.
Heather Wensley. Influenced by artists as diverse as Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone and Chaka Khan, Heather has developed her own unique and unforgettable singing style.
Kevin Brown is one the most respected blues guitarists, singers and songwriters on both sides of the Atlantic having worked with Mark Knopfler and Andy Fairweather Low.
The Jury brings funky, bluesy groovy music. You may not know all the songs but you will definitely want to dance.
Milly Riquelme and La Cubana. Based in the South West, Milly Riquelme is a professional pianist, singer, composer and teacher. A diverse solo performer, she is the Music Director of her Latin jazz group La Cubana.
Dan Hughes + CISSY. Somerset-based guitarist/songwriter Dan and musician/songwriter Cissy Bevan bring chilled out soul/pop vocals performing covers and originals.
Julie Dunn will be performing solo as well as part of the Julie Dunn duo and the Julie Dunn quartet. “Singing familiar standards in a fresh, individual way or addressing original blues, Julie Dunn is a class act…”
Tom Toomey Band. Tom’s music includes work with The Monficats, Jingo Santana, solo electric guitar and solo acoustic shows.
Aliya 5 are a Dorset band, playing songs from various eras of jazz, blues and swing.
The festival is backed by the Wellspring Fund, set up in lockdown to support live music recovery in Wells as Covid restrictions eased. Founded by local sax player Paul Cannon, it has raised many thousands of pounds to support live shows.
“The fund has done what it was set up for,” said Paul, “and putting what’s left of it into the jazz and blues festival is a fitting finale to its five-year run.”
However there are still significant costs to put on this not-for-profit initiative, so the Wells Jazz & Blues Festival is crowdfunding to ensure it is the best possible.
To donate to the festival, go to https://gofund.me/ebc3957f