Celebrating International Jazz Day 2020

The United Nations declared 30 April as International Jazz Day, to "highlight jazz and its diplomatic role of uniting people in all corners of the globe”. To celebrate, Senior Music Lecturer Dr Justin Williams caught up with some members of the University of Bristol’s jazz ensembles to find out more about the Bristol jazz scene.

Piano keys

Jazz is thriving in Bristol (or at least it was before the lockdown!), and the University of Bristol is no exception. While I include jazz in my African-American Music and Intertextuality modules, and my own ‘jazz rap’ research for my hip hop classes, we also have jazz performance as an option for our performance students. I’ve heard recitals from guitarists, vocalists and saxophonists of a high quality ranging from funk and modal jazz to Latin and other stylistic offshoots.

But jazz in our curriculum is far from being the only jazz activity going on at the University. We boast two highly successful jazz ensembles Hornstars and the Bristol University Jazz Orchestra (BUJO) and the Students' Union supports a JazzFunkSoul Society. I had the pleasure of hearing the Hornstars at a concert earlier this year, and what impressed me most was the high quality of musicianship and the range of jazz styles performed, including some great student-penned arrangements.

I think it has become clear during this pandemic how much arts matter. In addition to poetry, theatre, visual arts and film, livestreamed concerts of operas, pop musicians, Broadway musical stars, and our own personal playlists have helped us get through uncertain times. In honour of International Jazz Day, I wanted to interview some of our students about jazz at the University of Bristol and across the city, to discover the hidden gems of its jazz scene and to give us some new listening suggestions to bolster our playlists. 

Abbey Neave, BUJO Conductor

BUJO photo

It was through jazz that I developed a deeper passion for my instrument and was also introduced to other genres such as world music, hip hop and ambient music. To me, jazz music is very freeing to play and listen to. It’s about creating music where there aren't necessarily any right or wrong answers. It’s also about freedom of expression in moments that are never recreated – no solo is ever exactly the same.

George Milnes, Drums, BUJO

George Barnes, Hornstars Conductor

Hornstars photo
Photo credit: Christy Nunns

I have always been interested in rhythm and harmony, and jazz is something that really explores both in such detail, pushes both to their extremes, and allows you to control and manipulate both as much as you desire.

Xarius Dalal, Drummer

Hannah Williams, President of the Big Band Society

Lockdown Tunes

Looking for some new music to get into during lockdown? Here are some great jazz song and album recommendations from members of Hornstars and BUJO:

  • 'The City and the Stars'  Neil Cowley Trio
  • 'Central Park North'  Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Big Band
  • 'The Black Saint and The Sinner Lady' Charles Mingus
  • 'Live at Vagabond' – Butcher Brown
  • 'If I Were A Bell'  Miles Davis Quintet
  • Little Sunflower’ and 'First Light' Freddie Hubbard
  • ‘When It Rains’ and 'Finding Gabriel'  Brad Mehldau
  • 'Vardavar Tigran Himasyan
  • 'Waltz for Debby'  Bill Evans
  • 'Juicy'  The RH Factor 
  • 'When the Heart Emerges Glistening'  Ambrose Akinmusire

Jazz has helped me form some of the most important connections in my life. I’ve met amazing people and had some incredible experiences because I enjoy playing this particular kind of music.

Dylan Reeves, Baritone/Tenor Sax, BUJO

I’ve met so many of my friends here through jazz, and the University of Bristol jazz scene has become such a family. Jazz also gets me really involved with the city – there are so many opportunities to play at different live jams and events. If you want to be involved with jazz at uni, Bristol really is the place to be.

Amy Sheldon, Tenor Sax, Hornstars
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