BUDE JAZZ FESTIVAL 2023 IS THE BEST JAZZ FESTIVAL IN CORNWALL. IT SERVES UP A PACKED PROGRAMME ACROSS TOWN BETWEEN TUESDAY 29 AUGUST AND FRIDAY 1 SEPTEMBER 2023. WELCOME TO A SIMPLY GREAT JAZZ FEST…
Cool cats and jive bunnies should head to Bude between Tuesday 29 August and Friday 1 September 2023 for the Bude Jazz Festival 2023. See countless bands and acts play up to 80 concerts across the north Cornish coastal town and its outskirts. Basically, dig the vibe, man, as some of the best jazz musicians for miles around descend on Bude over four lively days and nights.
The Bude Jazz Festival 2023, which has been going for more than three decades, was cancelled in both 2020 and 2021 due to that oh-so-lovely coronavirus so the 33rd edition was rolled on to 2022. But it was worth the wait as this much-loved festival put a swing into the steps of all the jazz fans who graced the gigs in 2022.
That means that this year the 2023 Bude Jazz Festival is in its 34th edition, which is pretty impressive in an era that doesn’t place this most colourful art from at the top of the list in terms of young people enjoying and experiencing it. But we hope that lots of young people do make it to the festival as it’s the young blood which will keep it going well into the future.
Who is playing at the Bude Jazz Festival 2023? Well, some of the highlights this year include the inimitable Craig Milverton Trio and legendary saxophonist John Hallam. Craig Milverton is one of the finest jazz pianists in the UK with a British Jazz Award under his belt which he won in 2010 for best pianist. Hallam, in contrast, is a respected name on both clarinet and sax, with an army of fans behind him.
Both acts are involved in a number of performances throughout the four days. In fact, the Craig Milverton Trio actually perform with John Hallam and sax star Amy Roberts at the Parkhouse from 11.45am on the Tuesday. Do look at the full programme to see all the gigs as these legends feature in a good handful of them.
Other great names to perform between the Tuesday and Friday include Nick Ward’s Jelly Roll Quartet, the South West Lindy Hoppers, Kevin Grenfell’s Jazz Giants and Amy Roberts. In fact, the South West Lindy Hoppers kick the whole party off on the Tuesday from 9.30am at the Parkhouse Centre in Ergue-Gaberic Way.
Also look out for gigs by Baby Jools and the Jazzaholics, the City Steam Jazz Band, the Martin Dale Quartet, the Dart Valley Stompers, The Tom Morgan Trio and The Jake Leg Jug Band. Oh, and of course it wouldn’t be Bude Jazz Festival without the jazzy Bude Street Parade, which plays at 10.30am at the Parkhouse Centre on the Tuesday.
Click on the ‘website’ link above for the full programme. There really is the full gamut of jazz bands on the menu, from traditional to New Orleans style, including ragtime, blues, bop, classic and mainstream. Young and old. Single acts and full ensembles. This incredible cross-section of styles is always represented in Bude every year at the Bude Jazz Festival.
Six venues play host to gigs across the town in late August and early September 2023, including the Falcon Hotel, Brendon Arms, Parkhouse Centre, Bude and North Cornwall Golf Club and Bude Methodist Church. Check out the official website for all the gigs, dates, times and venues. And then tune up that band and book a spot in the north’s coast’s most happening town. And all that jazz.