Blues Matters, June 2006 issue

Mumbles Mostly Jazz and Blues Festival
Friday, 28th April–Monday, 1st May, 2006

By Darren Howells

You'd have never known it given the lack of promotion around the city/surrounding areas, but the May bank-holiday weekend offered the chance for some Jazz & Blues entertainment in Mumbles with the second annual Mostly Jazz & Blues Festival.

The opening Friday saw jazz band Pedalmania taking the stage at the Marquee (the main 'stage' for the weekend), for the whole night. Entirely instrumental (although Dawn Sandells lent some smoky blues vocals to enchanting effect on several numbers), this young band showed good feel throughout their performance, which transferred well to those in attendance. Admittedly the crowd were few as the band opened, but numbers grew quickly (well, between visits to the bar) as the night's entertainment progressed, and the level of the band's performance increased accordingly – the drummer driving it all to, at times, inspirational effect as they moved between serene and assault. The crowd clearly approved, and I was taken aback by the level of musicianship, but I couldn't help feeling disappointed Dawn didn't play a more significant role in the night's entertainment. I certainly appreciated the improvisational element, but after Dawn wowed us with her rendition of 'Stormy Monday', I couldn't help but ponder how much more significant the opening night could have been (and much bluesier). In any case it would have taken 'some' act to top the entertainment provided by an excited Festival organiser – Huw Rees!

Saturday began with the New Orleans Marching Jazz Band taking to the street, travelling from Verdi's to Oystermouth Square on the promenade whilst Descargo Cubano entertained at the Marquee – for those who didn't want to enjoy the good weather.

The main entertainment for the night featured Gypsy Jazz followed by Julian Marc Stringle. Gypsy Jazz (another jazz band – at this point it dawned the flyer was somewhat misleading, stating 'Mostly Jazz & Blues' when more accurately it should have read 'Mostly Jazz … & Some Blues') featured a three-pronged acoustic frontline (was that Russ Abbot on the left?), with the bass player, literally, towering behind. Again it was entirely instrumental (unfortunately no Dawn to guest here) and it was pleasant if not profound. Clearly this music was being targeted to a particular crowd/audience and, given the location, understandably (much older and richer than myself I might add!). Many of the songs played were greeted positively by those in their twilight years, but I wasn't familiar with the majority (well, anything!) that was being re-interpreted and that lack of musical knowledge, coupled with the lack of vivacity from the players, meant the music was never going to capture me... a yawning/sighing bass player during songs just summed things up. However, I could appreciate these were highly accomplished musicians and certainly hitting the mark with their target audience.

Julian Marc Stringle (again instrumental!?) followed after a short break (and a dodgy bag of chips from across the road), but their big-band/jazz sound, if anything, appealed less. The keyboardist certainly knew where to place his fingers to good effect (on the keys), but I was waiting for something to 'happen'. It didn't, and as the late-night chill took hold (we were dressed accordingly for the day's 'summer' weather!), we decided to leave early for the bus and avoid the cost of another expensive taxi home. Again those who were in attendance were enamoured and the band regularly received rapturous response!

Unfortunately problems with my partner's work, having to get underway with the new issue, feeling under the weather, money constraints and (what seemed) a nonexistent bus service all contributed to missing the Sunday/Monday entertainment. All the more frustrating given these days featured the bluesiest artists on the bill (amongst them the classy Terry Clarke, who apparently went down a storm at The Beaufort Arms – I'm told the whole place was jiving for Terry's encore of the Dion/Drifters classic 'Ruby Baby').

Steve Nicholson did make it to the Marquee on the Sunday to watch a band he'd recently booked for his daughter's wedding. He had these words to say: 'It was a fine performance as usual, from Swansea's favourite Gypsy Jazz Band, The Amigos. A crowd of around 200 gathered for two hours of entertainment provided by master guitarist Mr Gary Phillips. Their repertoire of Gypsy and Traditional Jazz, Latin, Spanish and Celtic songs and instrumentals was outstanding. We were even treated to a Blues song with Gary on Steel Guitar!'

Overall feedback: from those who did attend on the Sunday/Monday there was a resounding thumbs up to the performances of Snake Davis (Sunday) and Brian Breeze with Dave Cottle (Monday) in particular, and a resounding thumbs up to the event overall. I must concur with those sentiments – it was a well-executed/professional festival, with a great/friendly atmosphere. My only disappointment being on the days I did attend there was such a lack of blues-based artists performing for a Jazz AND Blues event, and arguably a lack of variety, and number, of artists showcasing their talents overall, given the time available.

It would be great to see the surrounding area of Mumbles taking a more active role in the event (on visiting local pubs before Friday night's show there was no sign they even knew about a musical event, let alone were helping in its promotion), and more support from Swansea as a whole. There is certainly potential to put on a major blues event in the area given it is such an attractive/affluent visitor location, so close to Swansea centre and has the offer of so many services, hotels and B&B's, and attractions for anybody attending. Maybe next year?