Tune In To Three Days Of Musical Magic With Guildford Jazzfest ’20

Published on: 22 Jan, 2020
Updated on: 22 Jan, 2020

Guildford Jazzfest ’20 will run for three days, from March 20 to 22, at the town’s Electric Theatre, featuring a wide variety of accessible jazz, funk and Latin grooves.

The festival is being organised by Guildford Jazz, a thriving local community arts organisation which runs monthly gigs at the Electric Theatre’s Jazz Café and Guildford Pavilion.

Jazz saxophonist and composer Ian Bellamy is one of the star performers to appear at Guildford JazzFest ’20.

Headlining the Jazzfest will be the famed Iain Ballamy, ECM recording artist and internationally recognised saxophonist and composer.

Surrey Young Jazz Musicians of the Year will be celebrated at Guildford JazzFest ’20.

Other major artists appearing include the legendary funk trombonist Dennis Rollins; the Mark Nightingale/Alan Barnes/Steve Waterman Sextet; virtuoso guitarist Nicolas Meier World Group; Latin jazz salsa band Heads South; award-winning piano/sax duo David Newton and Alan Barnes; renowned jazz vocalist Pete Churchill and Gareth Williams, one of the country’s leading modern jazz pianists.

British trombone player Dennis Rollins MBE comes to Guildford with his latest project, Velocity Trio.

The festival also features free foyer jazz, a Gin in the Jazz Bar evening, New Orleans Dixie Jazz from clarinet maestro Duncan Batchelor and several community events.

These include a celebration of Surrey Young Jazz Musicians of the Year, a jazz vocal workshop and a talk in conjunction with West Surrey Arts Society on the early history of jazz by from broadcaster and bass player Sandy Burnett.

The club’s patron, Bill Bruford, the legendary drummer from Yes, King Crimson and Genesis will also appear in discussion with Iain Ballamy about their time playing together in the group Earthworks.

This festival is a first for Guildford Jazz, which has been arranging regular sell-out gigs since 2011. Its founder, local bass player Marianne Windham, said: “The festival represents a celebration of all that Guildford Jazz is about, bringing the finest UK jazz musicians here to play a wide spectrum of accessible music in a friendly club- like atmosphere.

Article based on a Guildford Jazz press release