Swansea and all that jazz

Ruby Turner

Festival now in its fourth year

Swansea International Jazz Festival returns for its fourth year this month with more than 50 events taking place at 15 venues in the Maritime Quarter.

The Dylan Thomas Theatre and the Dylan Thomas Centre will host the ticketed concerts with a diverse jazz programme including workshops and free events all around the Maritime Quarter.

The festival, which runs from 15-18 June 2017, is headlined on Saturday by soul, gospel and R&B legend Ruby Turner - truly the genuine article but sadly already sold out. Also sold out and headlining Sunday is Earth, Wind & Fire, featuring the musicians from BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing Band.

Selling fast is Friday’s headline act, Joe Stilgoe, an internationally acclaimed singer, pianist and songwriter. Joe’s Songs on Film pays tribute to much-loved movies, as self-confessed film buff Joe raids his own collection and adds his own original and stylish orchestrations to some of the most memorable moments in cinematic history.

The rest of the weekend’s line-up features: Midland Youth Jazz Orchestra, Stan Tracey legacy, Oikos Trio, The Tony O’Malley Band, Fraser & The Alibis, The Skelton/Skinner Best of British Septet, The Power of Gower Festival Big Band, The Remi Harris Trio, The Liane Carroll Trio, and Chris Ingham Quartet.

If that’s not enough great music, then check out the many Festival Fringe events and workshops taking place across the city.

For more info about the Swansea International Jazz Festival visit the website.