A stellar line-up has been confirmed for The Petersfield Jazz and Blues Festival at Churcher’s College on June 14 from 12.45pm until 10pm.
Hampshire’s largest jazz and blues festival will showcase world-leading talent from 12 acts, featuring musicians who have played and collaborated with legends including Jeff Beck, Amy Winehouse, the James Taylor Quartet, Van Morrison, Madonna, Incognito, Groove Armada and Bill Bruford.
The festival, promoted by Soweto Kinch on Radio 3’s Round Midnight, will spotlight an array of artists, many recognised internationally and some who also live in Hampshire and the surrounding area.
The confirmed line-up will be a thriller for jazz and blues fans alike, and features The Full Circle Quartet, Jazz Samba, Betty Accorsi, Jana Varga, Meirer, Roth and Redtenbacher, and Rainey’s Revue. The festival will take place in two marquees in the school grounds.
Colin Clark - the chief organiser and driving force behind the festival, which is now in its second year - said: “Jazz and blues fans are in for a real treat in just a few months’ time. I’m delighted that we have secured such a depth and breadth of musical talent for the festival this year and we expect a sell-out show.”
This club has been thriving for more than three years, consistently selling out events thanks to the remarkable local talent. With a wealth of musicians, artists and actors in the Petersfield area, the success of Strange Fruit highlighted the need for a dedicated jazz festival.
The Full Circle Quartet has crafted an album inspired by the South Downs and was recognised by Jazzwise magazine as one of its top 100 picks for 2023.
Under the leadership of the esteemed bassist Terry Pack, the band boasts an impressive array of talent. They delighted audiences last year and are returning due to popular demand.
Jazz Samba features exceptional tenor saxophonist Mark Crooks and award-winning guitarist Nigel Price, presenting a fresh take on the classic Jazz Samba album from 1962 by Stan Getz and Charlie Byrd.
Betty Accorsi is a talented saxophonist, multi-instrumentalist and composer originally from Italy and now residing in Brighton. She began her classical saxophone training at a young age at the Conservatorio Giuseppe Verdi in Milan.
The Betty Accorsi Quartet has made notable appearances at venues such as Pizza Express Soho, the Pheasantry Chelsea, Hampstead Jazz Club, the Verdict Brighton and the Brighton Jazz Festival.
Jana Varga blends a variety of influences, including classical music, the songwriting styles of Janis Ian and James Taylor, and the folk sounds of Paul Simon.
She has developed a unique voice that continues to grow and regularly appears in the acclaimed Joni Reimagined show, a tribute to Joni Mitchell's music, where she has recorded and performed live alongside platinum-selling artist Rumer.
A festival one-off supergroup features top guitarists Nicolas Meier, Pete Roth and bassist Stefan Redtenbacher performing for the first time ever as a trio.
UK-based guitarist Nicolas Meier has carved out a reputation as one of the world's most original and uniquely talented guitarists. His considerable talents drew the attention of rock guitar legend Jeff Beck, who made Nicolas a mainstay in The Jeff Beck Group - carrying him on two world tours during the course of the last few years.
Pete Roth is a versatile artist and accomplished session guitarist, born in Germany, where his musical journey began in the heart of a family deeply rooted in music. His new endeavour is with his trio featuring bassist Mike Pratt and legendary drummer Bill Bruford.
Stefan Redtenbacher was born in Salzburg and though most popular musicians are self-taught, Stefan took the formal training route. His natural talent and capacity for study took him from the Vienna Conservatory to Berklee College of Music in Boston and Chichester University, where he assembled his Funkestra, purveyors of a deft line in what their leader, perhaps tongue-in-cheek, terms ‘Strudel Funk’.
Rainey’s Revue showcases music from the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s, with classic songs by Ma Rainey. The music has been arranged by Richard Exall (saxophone, clarinet and flute) in conjunction with musical director Dom Barnett (piano). The established rhythm section of Sam Kelly (drums) and Marianne Windham (double bass) are complemented by the acoustic jazz influences of Tony Qunta (acoustic guitar).
For tickets, priced £40, visit www.petersfieldjazzfest.com