All the fuss this week surrounds the opening of the new Library of Birmingham, and Jazzlines is showing its support in contributing to the 4Squares Weekender.
The squares in question are Victoria, Chamberlain, Oozells and Centenary, the action is daily from 11am from Friday through to Sunday, and I’m guessing this is ArtsFest with a different name.
Among the various art forms, jazz lovers will find interest in the following:
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Lluis Mather & Friends: saxophonist Lluis, a Jazzlines Fellow, leads an eclectic mix of musicians turning their hands to anything from blues to improv and having a bit of a picnic in the process.
Young Pilgrims: This is the brainchild of trombonist Richard Foote, and is a marching band in the New Orleans tradition – and we could certainly do with more of these! It features trumpet, trombone, saxophone and sousaphone along with that crucial drumbeat.
Nearly Hotclub Quintet: This is TG Collective’s twin acoustic guitar core of Jamie Fekete and Sam Slater along with Percy Pursglove on trumpet, Lluis Mather on clarinet and a double bass player. See for times.
* Stratford Jazz opens its autumn season on Wednesday with some of the Midlands’ most familiar and best-loved players.
Leading the quartet from the alto saxophone is Chris Bowden, with Ben Markland on bass and Neil Bullock on drums. The band’s fresh face comes in the form of Gareth Fowler.
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Gareth is a Birmingham Conservatoire graduate, is now teaching around the city, and is a consummate player who is also part of the Daniel Bayliss Quartet and the Matt Ratcliffe organ group.
The Chris Bowden Quartet performs at The Chapel in No1 Shakespeare St, Stratford-upon-Avon, and it starts at 8pm. Entry is £8 (students half price).
For more about Stratford Jazz, go to
* Finally, if you want to join an organisation which is promoting intimate jazz gigs in Birmingham, and be able to contribute ideas and perhaps some voluntary help as well, then Birmingham Jazz is for you.
BJ has two gigs later this month – the Asaf Sirkis Trio and the Martin Speake band, both at The Red Lion in Warstone Lane in the Jewellery Quarter, but first they have their AGM at the same venue on Tuesday.
As well the usual business and a general forum for discussion at the end, the organisation has three vacancies on its board of directors, so there really is a way you could get involved.
Details of the AGM are being sent to current members, but if you are not already a member and would like to join, go along on Tuesday. The meeting starts at 7.30pm.