WELCOME Jazz Director’s

2023 is going to be spectacular! Expect big bands, late-night concerts, a dance evening and some gospel; and we are adding even more into the mix.

Iam delighted to welcome you to the 2023 Jazz line up for Buxton International Festival.

Last year was our first distinct jazz programme in the long history of the Festival and we had amazing audience feedback. We are going to repeat all the successes, the big bands, the late-night concerts, the dance evening and some gospel; and then we are going to add even more into the mix with a brand-new late-night jazz café vibe in the heart of the Pavilion Gardens. Following an opera, musical, or a jazz gig in the Arts Centre, you can nowextend your stay (on selected nights) until midnight with great music, food and wine.

We open the Festival with a jazz weekend beginning on Thursday 6 July with a New Orleans boogie-woogie treat from Dale Storr up at The Palace Hotel, where we will have our purposebuilt venue, with stage and grand piano. We then have another 13 events for you all the way to Monday night when Wynton Marsalis will entertain us at the Opera House.

There are so many great musicians visiting Buxton this year. That first weekend sees the music of Supertramp in big band format, we have Trish Clowes on sax with Hammond organ from Ross Stanley, and we have Tom Seals, the man who has arrived as a genuine superstar. Also, look out for Tommy Smith OBE, who has recorded with Chick Corea and Randy Brecker. Take advantage of a package of discounted ‘Jazz Weekender’ tickets. These also include a trip to the iconic Opera House for the world premiere of The Land of Might-Have-Been, a musical with songs from Ivor Novello. This year’s Weekender tickets will also treat you to a very special book event on Saturday at midday, when the mighty Sir David Hare will entertain us. With two Academy Award nominations, three Golden Globe Award nominations, three Tony Award nominations and a BAFTA Award to his name, he is one not to miss!

In the following two weeks, we spread the jazz across many gigs, with gospel, dancing, folk and a true superstar, Madeline Bell who brings her show, Bacharach, Dusty and Me to Buxton with Ian Shaw on piano. The voice of Blue Mink (‘Melting Pot’, ‘Good Morning Freedom’) and one of the world’s most-heard session singers (Joe Cocker, Elton John, Led Zeppelin, Stevie Wonder, Donna Summer) Madeline has now established a dazzling solo career.

Jazz Café at the Pavilion Gardens

Brand new for ’23, on three nights, come and spend a little time with us after the main shows finish and we will entertain you from 10pm until midnight. You can pre-order a platter, sit back and relax and take in a couple of sets of beautiful music. Take a look at the programme, we have three lovely bands booked, including the return of Buxton jazz legend Graham Clark.

It is going to be a fine festival, with a wideranging programme to keep you entertained –please come along and say hello.

Neil Hughes Jazz Director

BIF 2023 6 – 23 July