This review, only now appearing in the middle of the winter, is a reminder of how enjoyable it was to once again spend some warm summer days in the picturesque vibrant seaside town of Bude on the Cornwall coast of England. The town is full of visitors joining the locals, enjoying beautiful weather and stunning coastal scenery. For four days, at the end of August, this idyllic scene comes alive with the sounds of our kind of music. From 10 am, starting with the daily jam session on the patio of the Falcon Hotel, into the late hours, music fills the air as the festival spreads over several venues from the Falcon to the Methodist church and the neighboring Community Center with stops on the way at the Golf Club. During all this a stroller band leads a daily parade around the town. The sounds of music are heard everywhere, providing a perfect backdrop for this annual celebration of jazz.
It never ceases to amaze me that this festival, almost at the tip of England, attracts such an impressive lineup of bands and musicians. Yet once again, for its 35th year, it featured some of the most important bands in the UK, as well as several newcomers, bringing together a diverse array of jazz talent and enthusiasts from all over for a resounding success. An impressive lineup of bands and musicians featured both veterans and newcomers, with each bringing their own unique styles and energy to the stage.
Alan Barnes is one of the best examples of the top musicians who are regulars at Bude. This renowned British jazz saxophonist and clarinetist, winner of the BBC Jazz Instrumentalist of the Year award is known for his top-quality swinging jazz and trademark humor. He delivered his usual memorable performance with his versatility on various instruments, including the baritone sax and clarinet, particularly appreciated by the audience. His partnership with John Hallam, another Bude veteran with his own exceptional skill on the saxophone and clarinet, which is both technically impressive and emotionally resonant, made their set a pure joy as one of the highlights of the festival. They understand each other so well that listening to them is like being part of a musical conversation. Backed by Craig Milverton, an equally talented veteran on piano, this set was for me personally, the highlight of the week.
At the other end of the spectrum, we had the Windy City Weatherbirds, led by the three Pickering brothers; Magnus (cornet), Joe (Reeds), and Daniel (trbn) accompanied by Harrison Dolphin (gtr), Chris Hyde-Harrison (bass), and Adam Merrell (drm). One of the youngest bands, they made their debut here last year as a true family effort. Once again, they brought their energetic and authentic treatments of classic jazz tunes to the festival with vibrant performances and deep love for traditional jazz, drawing their inspiration from Louis Armstrong, Wild Bill Davison, Muggsy Spanier, Eddie Condon, and other jazz legends. Their lively and engaging style was well received. I particularly liked their rendition of “Some of These Days” with excellent harmony.
Kevin Grenfell is a talented trombonist and vocalist who literally began his musical journey around the corner, in Cornwall, with local school youth bands. A regular at the festival, this year Kevin was called upon to play a double role. With his band, Kevin Grenfell’s Jazz Giants, he delivered his usual lively and engaging set, showcasing his talent on the trombone and his ability to lead with energy and charisma. On a different level, behind the scenes, due to the last-minute illness of Jeremy Hugget, Kevin stepped in at the last moment to reorganize the band line-ups and took over the role of organizing the Street Parade. He also took over the leadership of Hugget’s Dart Valley Stompers for the festival. Grenfell’s career has taken him far beyond Cornwall, but his roots are solidly in the region that has shaped his musical path.
Another treasured figure at the Bude Jazz Festival for many years has been Pete Allen. A veteran of over 45 years on the British jazz scene, he is known for his exceptional skills on the clarinet, alto and soprano saxophones, and banjo. Over the years, Allen has consistently delivered memorable performances that have been among the highlights of the event. His ability to blend traditional jazz elements with his unique style has made him a favorite. As in the past his sets included a mix of classic jazz standards and original compositions, highlighting his versatility and deep understanding of the genre with smooth swing renditions of “Quando” as well as “Lazy River.” His performance was a testament to his enduring talent and passion for jazz.
A veteran of over 50 years performing is John Shillito with his Riviera Ramblers. His dedication to traditional jazz and his energetic performances have made him a beloved musician among jazz enthusiasts. Whether it’s “Royal Garden” or “Sweet Georgia Brown,” listening to Shillito makes one realize he is one of those who keep alive the heritage of Ken Colyer and the other earliest British jazzmen of the 1950’s. In several sets throughout the festival the band played a variety of classic jazz tunes, delighting the audience with their energetic and authentic renditions of classic New Orleans Jazz.
Husband and wife saxophonists, Amy Roberts and Richard Exall, have been regulars at Bude for many years, even before they married. Their presence is always a highlight for jazz enthusiasts, both when leading their own individual sets as well as together. Both lean toward the more modern jazz genres. I particularly enjoyed Exall’s tribute to Stan Getz showcasing the iconic sax player’s influence on his own music. Exall also acknowledges Paquito D’Rivera and Ken Peplowsky as major influences. Amy on the other hand leans more toward blending elements of pop, folk, and storytelling into her style. I particularly enjoyed her set with John Hallam, backed by the Craig Milverton Trio.
Completely the opposite is The Jake Leg Jug Band. Regular favorites at Bude, this unique and talented group brings the authentic sounds of 1920s and 1930s America to life. They specialize in blues, ragtime, gospel, and vaudeville. They put a particular focus on humorous songs about murder, betrayal, gambling, liquor, and redemption while preserving the vintage sound and style of the era. Their use of a range of vintage instruments, including washboard, harmonica, comb and paper, musical saw, bones, and the humble jug is not only musically impressive but also very entertaining, evoking the spirit and atmosphere of a bygone era. Warren James, the guitarist for Jake Leg also had his own set with “The Story of Skiffle” a tribute to Lonnie Donegan.
One of the pleasures of Bude is the scheduling of the individual gigs. By staggering the performances and allowing a 15-minute interval for each set, one could get from one venue to another to sample a variety of music from among the 15 daily sets. Among those new to me were the two large orchestras, both from the local Devon area. The Golden Coast Big Band, which is made up of a core ensemble of 15 players, was led by Paul Radford, an accomplished trombonist. They performed big band music from the Swing era to modern interpretations. In contrast, The South Devon Big Band, based near Bude, is a vibrant 24-piece ensemble playing a wider range of jazz including Swing, Funk, Latin, Soul, and Pop tunes led by Neil Maya. Both bands consist of musicians from various backgrounds and ages, including both experienced players and younger jazz enthusiasts. Both big bands attracted a fair number of dancers, adding to the authenticity of the period.
Another local group we managed to catch on a break was Trudgeon’s Trad Jazz Troubadours, a lively seven-man jazz band based in nearby Bristol. Led by Joseph Trudgeon, they brought together young and old jazz musicians preserving the musical traditions of the 1920s and 1930s with an enjoyable mix of Swing, New Orleans Jazz, and Trad Jazz.
As is often said, the best is saved for last. Last year the final set was Barnes and Hallam. This year it was The Bateman Brothers, one of Britain’s outstanding bands delivering a standout performance for the finale with their “Louis Armstrong All Stars” tribute. With great authenticity and energy, they captured the spirit of Armstrong’s music, making their set a highlight to close out the festival.
Alan on the trumpet catches the essence of Armstrong’s sound, while brother Ian on trombone emulates the styles of Armstrong’s famous trombonists, Trummy Young and Jack Teagarden. They performed all of Armstrong’s greatest hits with the same energy and carefully planned arrangements that made the original performances so memorable. They were backed by the talent of Trevor Whiting on clarinet, Craig Milverton on piano, John Day on bass, and Nick Millward on drums.
One of the unique features of the festival was the daily morning jam sessions on the veranda of the Falcon Hotel. These sessions provided a relaxed and informal setting for local musicians, of all levels of musical skill, to come together and share their love of jazz, creating a sense of community and camaraderie among the performers and attendees.
Overall, the Bude Jazz Festival 2024 was once more a celebration of jazz in all its forms, bringing together a diverse array of talent and creating a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere for all who attended. The festival’s continuing success is a testament to the dedication and passion of the organizers, performers, and the community of Bude.
As a footnote, I am always amazed at the lack of fellow Americans at the British Trad Jazz festivals. It is not that Americans do not come to England as tourists. Shakespeare country is flooded with tourists from the USA, yet the nearby Pershore or Upton Jazz festivals do not see any of them (except yours truly). Even in London, one seldom encounters an American at the leading jazz clubs. Bude is in a one of Britain’s leading tourist areas with nearby Stonehenge and Land’s End. Yet somehow American jazz lovers are notable by their total absence at the festival.
Over the years we personally have made visits to the many nearby tourist attractions as part of our trips to Bude and other festivals. Along the way we made new friends, both at the festivals and the bed and breakfasts. At the same time, the overall costs are at least 30% less than in London, Stratford, and Oxford. I will be glad to share information at frankfarb@aol.com.
Frank Farbenbloom is a traditional jazz supporter based in Israel.
