History page to WWW.JAZZWALES.ORG.UK

The Welsh Jazz Society was first formed in Cardiff in 1978 by a small group of local jazz musicians and enthusiasts.  Now a registered charity, the Society actively promotes the development and appreciation of jazz music, of all styles, through performance and education.

Our administrative base is in Cardiff. Members of the Welsh Jazz Society enjoy the benefits of a National Jazz Card that qualifies for concessions at most jazz venues and festivals throughout the U.K. and a bi-monthly copy of JAZZ U.K., Britain's leading jazz publication, mailed to their home. Members of other regional jazz societies in Wales obtain the same benefits through an affiliation agreement.

We programme and administer the only six nights a week jazz venue in Wales. In 1987, in association with S.A.Brain and Co Ltd. the Welsh Jazz Society opened the Four Bars Inn, Castle Street, Cardiff - a dedicated live jazz venue that soon established a commendable reputation well beyond the Welsh borders. Following the sale of this venue by the owners, S.A. Brain and Co Ltd, the Society moved its activities to Cafe-Jazz at the Sandringham Hotel, St Mary Street, Cardiff. The programme continues to offer the best Welsh based musicians and International touring artists, year round, in association with The Preservation Jazz Society and The Cardiff Jazz Society and is generously sponsored by Duttlan Hotels Ltd.

In 1999, in collaboration with Wales' premier concert venue - St David's Hall, Cardiff, we initiated and funded a monthly concert series under the title JAZZ ON THE LEVEL. The series features both established and emerging musicians of international reputation. Audience response has exceeded all expectations and enabled the series to be extended indefinitely.

Until 2001, the Society administered and promoted the GLAMORGAN SUMMER SCHOOL JAZZ COURSE. Over that time, this annual two-week course developed an international reputation for its tutorial excellence. Despite the educational value and financial viability of this Course, the University of Glamorgan has decided not to continue with the annual event. 

We liase with European Jazz festivals and arts associations to develop opportunities for Welsh based musicians to work abroad.

We undertake the wide distribution in Wales of JAZZ U.K. - the bi-monthly jazz magazine, published in our Cardiff offices.

Through our trading arm Jazz Services - Wales we aim to replicate the range of services offered by Jazz Services Ltd. in England, including a computer based Information Centre designed to link musicians with promoters and patrons.

We offer an "Agency" service to individuals and organisations looking to engage musicians. We currently receive over 30 enquiries per month ranging from a request for a single bagpiper to a full orchestra. Wherever possible we seek the services of musicians who are members of the Musicians Union.

We circulate press and broadcasting media with programme information and jazz news stories. We lobby broadcasters to encourage more jazz output.

We encourage and support the following affiliated jazz societies in Wales:

• THE PRESERVATION JAZZ SOCIETY
• THE CARDIFF JAZZ SOCIETY
• THE TORFAEN JAZZ SOCIETY
• CAMBRIA ARTS
• THE SWANSEA JAZZ SOCIETY
• JAZZLAND, SWANSEA
• FRIENDS OF BRECON
• THE BRECON JAZZ CLUB
• SPAN ARTS
• BLACK MOUNTAIN JAZZ SOCIETY
  

With 30 years of service to jazz in Wales the Welsh Jazz Society remains dedicated to its practioners and its audiences.

 

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