News

Jazz at the Guildhall, Brecon

Well, we had a great time, for us, the J4J organisers, it was a curious mix of nostalgia, wistfulness and pleasure to be back at a venue that meant so much us in the past. Mind you, when out on the street, we felt really strange, it was a bit like a ghost town – hardly anyone about.
We did, however, receive many comments and compliments about our programme and the venue from audience members, quite a few never having been in the Guildhall before.
Matters went very well, musically speaking, with Wonderbrass, John Etheridge and the Heavy Quartet all giving sparkling, vibrant gigs – big thanks to you all! What’s next? Who knows?

Jed Williams Memorial Bursary Award

Our winner of the inaugural bursary for 2012 - Jenny Bradley - was presented with a cheque for £500 on the 10th November, at Cardiff’s Café Jazz.
Jenny, who plays baritone and tenor saxophones with bands such as Wonderbrass, Dave Barry Big Band and Tattsyrup, said, on being given the news of her award,
“Firstly, thanks so much!!! I'm super excited - making a good day even better!! I’d like to thank the Jazz4Jed Memorial Fund for this amazing and exciting opportunity. This bursary now means I can travel to New York and work with producer and performer Jeff Baker. I have worked with him before but I will now have the chance to work with him on his home turf! Whilst with Django I plan to expand my knowledge and take guidance from a world-class musician, producer and promoter. This also means that when I get back to Wales I can pass on my experiences to the bands that I work with. Jed Williams was always a very strong supporter of Wales’ jazz musicians, and I feel that it’s an honour to have been given this award aimed at commemorating his life.”

Both Jed’s mother, Mrs Rachel Williams, and Carolyn’s mother, Mrs Valerie Collins, were on hand to meet Jenny beforehand, and to see Jenny receive her cheque from Jazz4Jed group member, Geoff Amos.

We’d like to give heartfelt thanks to the Heavy Quartet for providing (yet another) great gig, and to Mireille, manager of the Sandringham Hotel & Café Jazz for her very generous offer of hosting the event.