Online jazz festival 'Around The Houses' returns for May edition
Thursday, May 7, 2020
After raising over £2000 for the Help Musicians charity following their five day online festival in April - featuring artists including Trish Clowes and Sara Colman to Soweto Kinch, Laura Jurd and Elliot Galvin - Around The Houses returns with another eclectic series of performances throughout May and June.
With people tuning in from over 30 countries worldwide watching in excess of 20,000 streams of the first set of gigs in April, the May line-up features much admired vibraphonist Jim Hart, compelling singer-songwriter Julia Biel, experimental drummer Mark Sanders and dynamic Brazilian percussionist Adriano Adewale.
Mid-afternoon and evening performances follow morning shows especially for children and families, with the main programme featuring a mix of national artists and up-and-coming young jazz musicians from the thriving Birmingham scene, home to Stoney Lane Records. Saxophonist Alicia Gardener-Trejo, pianist Dave Ferris and bassist James Banner join the line-up from the city, with award-winning classical harpist Elizabeth Bass completing the May schedule.
A new festival podcast series interviewing musicians and figures from the jazz world also continues, with trumpeter Yazz Ahmed following Jazzlines and Cheltenham Jazz Festival artistic advisor Tony Dudley-Evans to play and talk about the music that has played an important part in their lives.
Commenting on the value of these online events Dudley-Evans said: “I do feel that these events have something unique to offer … many have been performances of a type promoters would rarely contemplate putting on in a live context … some really special and unique performances - much to offer the music scene beyond the lockdown.”
Around The Houses is produced by saxophonist Alex Woods, guitarist Sam Slater (Stoney Lane Records label boss) and bassist Chris Mapp, and is generously supported by TDE Promotions and Spofforth. In May and June, all contributions raised from performances will go directly to all musicians performing. The June programme will be released in late May.
May Edition Programme:
Sunday 10 May
1100 Family Show - Arran Glass
1400 James Banner
1930 Julia Biel
Sunday 17 May
1100 Family Show - Laura The Musical Explorer
1400 Dave Ferris
1930 Jim Hart
Sunday 24 May
1100 Family Show - Allegro Dance Academy
1400 Elizabeth Bass
1930 Adriano Adewale
Sunday 31 May
1100 Family Show - MC Porridge Kids Rave
1400 Alicia Gardener-Trejo
1930 Mark Sanders
All shows stream live through the Around The Houses Facebook page and website – for further information and links visit – www.aroundthehouses.net – www.facebook.com/aroundthehousesfestival/videos –
www.mixcloud.com/stoneylane/around-the-houses-podcast-1-tony-dudley-evans-april-2020/ – www.stoneylane.net