Get Set For LWC’s Summer Jazz Festival

Making music that spans the generations is a real art.

 

And for both bands performing at LWC’s Summer Jazz Festival, there’s an appeal to cultivating a repertoire that appeals to all.

 

“Young people are drawn to the vintage vibe and upbeat tunes,” explains Dom Hall, bandleader and drummer for London-based trio, Salon Privé Jazz. “Whilst mature listeners can enjoy hearing the songs they or their parents danced and fell in love to. We recently played at the 90^th birthday of our bass player’s grandfather. It was very touching to see him enjoy songs from his days at the London jazz clubs of the 1960s.”

 

The UK jazz scene is thriving. With the arrival of a stream of young musicians, eager to carve out their own sound, the genre has seen something of a revival in recent years.

 

“The three of us met whilst studying jazz in London,” continues Dom. “I was at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, whilst Toby (bass) and Immy (vocals) were at the Royal Academy of Music. We play the classic tunes from the Great American Songbook. Our sound is sophisticated, swinging and full of romance!”

 

On Saturday, 21^st June, Salon Privé will bring their laid-back, timeless sound to the 1200 for LWC’s inaugural Summer Jazz Festival.

 

Alongside Salon Privé, the evening of the summer solstice also provides the backdrop for a performance by the Paul Sykes Big Band. Starting life as the Ron Young Orchestra in 1979, the rehearsal band morphed into its current form in 1991. The Summer Jazz Festival will give Paul, who heads up the band, an opportunity to reconnect with his fellow performers. “Paul was a tutor at the Surrey County Youth Jazz Orchestra when I was there as a youngster,” reveals Dom. “He’s a wonderful musician and bandleader.”

 

Both bands are equally as passionate about their time spent on stage. “Playing together as a band feeds the soul,” admits Paul (who shares his years of musical experience with LWC students, as a peripatetic music teacher). “We love the challenge of trying to achieve a perfect performance each time, whilst entertaining the audience.”

 

Festivalgoers are invited to pull up a picnic rug, surrounded by LWC’s wide-open fields and rolling valleys. There will be artisan street food available and a selection of beers, wines and spirits from local suppliers.

 

The multi-generational pull of jazz continues with LWC students appearing alongside the headliners on the night. “I’m delighted the festival features the talented young musicians here,” Paul admits. “I’m really looking forward to playing alongside pupils in such a lovely venue. There have been so many wonderful performances for us over the years. Recently, we appeared at Phyllis Court Jazz Club in Henley and received a standing ovation. One member said he’d been to 50 years of concerts and that ours was the best yet.”

 

Tickets for the LWC Summer Jazz Festival are priced at £20 and are available here.

 

Doors open at 6pm, with the music from 7pm.