By Matt Micucci
The fourth edition of the Bristol International Jazz & Blues Festival is set to run from the 18th to the 20th of March 2016 in UK.
During this exhilirating four-day celebration of jazz and blues, Colston Hall’s Main Auditorium will be hosting stars from the world of jazz and blues, the more intimate Lantern venue will be the more intimate setting for gypsy and contemporary jazz, blues and more wilke the the Folk House will present workshops led by world famous artists.
The festival has already announced some of the artists that will be featured in its 2016 lineup, which will result in over 50 concerts.
The weekend will open with the warm, soulful voice of American songstress Melody Gardot, and her performance in Bristol will be one of her only two UK performances. Gardot has been influenced by many of the great artists of jazz and blues, from Judy Garland to Janis Joplin and from George Gershwin to Miles Davis – while her music has been compared to that of none other than Nina Simone.
Speaking of Miss Simone, her daughter Lisa will also be in Bristol, echoing the tradition of the musical icon with her own innate skill for lyrical interpretation and a soul-deep understanding of music ad a means of healing, empowerment and celebration.
Jazz musician Courtney Pine, regarded as England’s very own “King of Jazz”, known primarily for his saxophone but also a revered clarinetist, will be on stage with a very personal project featuring musicians from Africa, the Caribbean and Europe.
Danny Ilett, artistic director of the festival, is also curating a number of special one-off events, including the Big Swing night with the world’s premier swing band King Pleasure & The Biscuit Boys, and there will of course be a unique tribute to Frank Sinatra, whose 100th anniversary will be celebrated on the December 15 later this month, featuring Clare Teal, Joe Stilgo, the Big Buzzard Boogie Band and Fred Wesley.
More acts and surprises are to be announced in the upcoming weeks. For more information, visit the official website of the Bristol International Jazz and Blues Festival ->http://www.bristoljazzandbluesfest.com/<-