Bristol's Musical Mind
Jazz and Blues in Bristol
​Talking about Jazz and Classical with Steven Legge
In this interview, I got a chance to talk to Steven Legge, a Senior Lecturer in Classical and Jazz Music Enrichment. I got to ask questions to Steven about his opinions about jazz and classical music in Bristol and its future. And in this interview, we got to discuss the impact of classical and jazz in not only Bristol but in other places such as Cuba and Venezuela.
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Steven explains how it's now difficult to identify if there is a growth of interaction, with classical and jazz music. This could be mainly due to how a lot of activities are not publicized, or it is not performed in a large group. Usually, the amount of activity in Bristol tends to come down to one influential person/company that can do the work.
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What was surprising to learn was that even though Bristol is pretty much the gateway to the South West, there isn't an official professional orchestra however, this does not stop Bristol to be the home of many different types of jazz and classical groups, that contain people who are professional with formal training or people who have learned themselves.
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This music scene has changed significantly over time with the purpose of classical and jazz normally being a formal concert. Especially after the 2000s, different types of jazz/classical events now have different reasons to organise events. While a lot has the same purpose as traditional jazz and classical events. A lot of events are now more informal, and interactive, also a lot of the events have causes they are supporting, such as LGBTQ+ and cancer research
The Bristol Jazz and Blues Festival
The Bristol and Jazz Festival is the main proof of the culture of jazz and blues music in Bristol. According to the Bristol's jazz and blues festival website (1) "Bristol’s long and illustrious association with jazz dates back to the ‘50s and ‘60s when a dizzying array of stars – including Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald"
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Colin Gorrie and Denny Ilett started this programme to appeal to the jazz and music lover of Bristol in a non-traditional way. This allows a diversity of listeners to enjoy the music, ranging from "primary school children to OAPs." (1).
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In 2020 the website mention that "now in its eighth year, with 50% year on year audience growth and increasingly wider appeal, Bristol International Jazz & Blues Festival is one of the city’s biggest music events." (1).
This is one example of a small orchestra, Steven mentioned in the interview. Currently they have grown signigicantly but it started off with two conductors
This is Bristol's largest LGBTQ+ choir. They are very successful, with once a year they have a sell out performance in St George. Learning about this choir proceeds to show that how classical and jazz, has developed over time. Sing Out Bristol know that they can sell out for their event because the support for the LGBTQ+ is strong in Bristol, as well as the choir spinning classical music in their own creative way
The Old Duke is a pub, known for the live Jazz and Blues inspired by traditional New Orleans jazz.
Also known as a live music bar, where live jazz music is play
Hover over the box to see the pictures and click on the picture to see the links
Reference List
(1) Bristoljazzandbluesfest.com. (2020). History – Bristol International Jazz and Blues Festival. [online] Available from: https://www.bristoljazzandbluesfest.com/history/.