Tuesday 5 February 2013

Venue Profile: Wakefield Jazz


Where? Wakefield Jazz at Wakefield Sports Club, Eastmoor Road, Wakefield WF1 3RR. (WF1 3SB for SatNav)

When? Most Fridays (35 to 40 per year) Doors and food 7:00pm,  early (support) set 7:30pm when included , main artist 8:30pm

How much? £14.00 standard entry, £12.00 concessions, £7.00 students. (Occasional exceptional artists £17.00 entry)

What kind of jazz? Modern to Contemporary, National and International Jazz; frequent local support bands.

Who runs it? Chris De Saram

Current promoter, Chris de Saram, took over in 2004 after 17 years of growth under its founder Alec Sykes. Chris is a life-long jazz fanatic and has gradually developed the programme of presentations to widen the range of high quality artists. In June 2012 the Club celebrated 25 years at the same venue having won the first Parliamentary Jazz Awards "Venue of the Year" in 2005 and being nominated twice since. Chris is active in seeking to experience the work of new bands at regional clubs and National Festivals. He also networks widely and is Chair of the Newly Formed NorVolJazz (Northern Voluntary Jazz Promoters Network) which has developed from the Jazz Promoters Group under Jazz Yorkshire.  He is a Trustee of Yorkshire Live Music Project which works to bring Contemporary Chamber Jazz and Classical Music to the Region. Wakefield Jazz is a Partner of the Wakefield Music Education Hub.

Upcoming highlights include Mike Walker/Iain Dixon Quintet, Jonathan Gee New York Trio and Christian Brewer quartet.

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