It started out as a weekend musical get together back in 1985. Almost of quarter of a century later the
Wigan International Jazz Festival is not only still going strong but it’s grown into one of the most
successful and acclaimed events of its kind.
The festival attracts acts from across the globe, some of the brightest stars in the jazz firmament.
Every performance is a winner; some are now the stuff of legends. And this year’s nine day wonder which
swings into action from Friday July 11, promises to be no exception.
Festival pioneer and director Ian Darrington says: “The 2008 line up is one of the most exciting we
have seen in Wigan. We have a great balance between the well-known and the new and contemporary.”
The festival opens with the ‘pop’ of champagne corks on Friday July 11, when historic Haigh Hall swings
into action for the Boogaloo Ball. It’s an evening of live swing sounds courtesy of the Joe Wildy Showband,
a sumptuous feast and the chance to dance the night away in the grand ballroom.
On Saturday July 12, Salford-born songstress Elkie Brooks gives a pearl of a performance of past hits
and up-to-date favourites.
Sunday July 13 sees Ronnie Scott Jazz Award nominee Matthew Ford take to the stage with his own big
band.
And if big band’s your bag then the Monday and Tuesday (July 14 and 15) are not to be missed. The
Big Band of Brigham Young University will be headlining Monday, while the multi-instrumental ‘Wizard
of Oz’ James Morrison will be on stage with the Wigan Jazz Club Big Band on the Tuesday.
Keeping with the international theme, improviser, composer and top bassist Avishai Cohen will be making
his festival debut on Wednesday July 16. Avishai is currently one of the most sought after jazz musicians
on the international circuit and getting him to Wigan is a real coup.
“One of the reasons our festival has remained so popular with audiences and artists is our ability
to recognise and seek out new talent,” says Ian. “We have a unique way of mixing this with the tried,
tested and enjoyed.”
If you need proof of this winning formula then get yourself along to Thursday July 17’s gig when Dennis
Rollins makes a welcome return alongside Wigan Youth Jazz Orchestra, and hotlytipped Empirical make
their Wigan debut.
Finishing off the celebrity series on Friday July 18 will be Liane Carroll and Ian Shaw, but there
are plenty of other artists taking part in a festival that promises something for everyone. It’s fair
to say that in the past 23 years that weekend get together has come a long way.
Ian Darrington agrees. “Nobody thought this northern town would make it as a festival venue,” he says.
“But this novelty has worked in our favour and helped bring the audiences, artists and media attention
to our door. Other festivals have come and gone but the Wigan International Jazz Festival is still
hitting the high notes!”
Tickets and festival brochures are available from Wigan Tourist Information Centre, Wallgate, Wigan.
Telephone 01942 825677. For regular updates visit the official festival website – www.wiganjazz.net
(external link)
Full festival line up: 12-19 July 2008
7 Day Rover Ticket: Saturday 12th – Friday 18th, £150 full £140 conc. * Exclusive
seating
Celebrity Concerts: JJB Stadium, Wigan (unless otherwise stated):
- Sat 12 July, 8pm - An intimate evening with Elkie Brooks, £22.50.
- Sun 13 July, 12:30pm - Matthew Ford , £15, Conc £13.
- Sun 13 July, 8pm - The Guy Barker Jazz Orchestra performs The Amadeus Project , £20, Conc £18.
- Mon 14 July, 8pm - Synthesis American Big Band Jazz , £15, Conc £13.
- Tue 15 July, 8pm - James Morrison With Wigan Jazz Club Big Band, £20, Conc £18.
- Wed 16 July, 8pm - Avishai Cohen Trio, £18, Conc £16.
- Thu 17 July, 8pm - Empirical, Phil Degreg Trio & Wigan Youth Jazz Orchestra with Special Guest
Dennis Rollins, £18, Conc £16.
- Fri 18 July, 8pm - An Evening with Liane Carroll and Ian Shaw, Wigan Cricket Club - £15
Lunchtime Sessions, 1pm – 3:30pm
Tenor sax player Curtis Woodbury plays with student band Synthesis
- Wigan Cricket Club - All £8, conc £7.
- Mon 14 July - Vic Ash Quintet
- Tue 15 July - Colm ‘Stride’ O’Brien and Alan Benzie Trio
- Wed 16 July - Greg Abate with the Phil Degreg Trio
- Thu 17 July - Alan Barnes’ Liquorice Stick Allsorts
- Fri 18 July - The Incredible Jim Mullen Trio
Street Concerts
- Saturday 12 July, 11am - 1pm: Wigan Youth Big Band, Market Place, Wigan
- Friday 18 July, 11am - 1pm: Quatro, Market Place, Wigan
Free Fringe Events
- Friday 18 July, 4.30pm-7pm - Acoustic Graffiti, Number Fifteen, Wigan
- Saturday 19 July, 4:30pm-7pm - Nick Kellie Band, The Tudor House, Wigan
- Saturday 19 July, 8pm-11pm - Pearl Jazz, The Tudor House, Wigan
Jazz in the Park
- Saturday 19 July, 2-4:30pm, Mesnes Park, Wigan - Swingshift – a 17 piece jazz orchestra who play many styles of big band music.
Dinner Jazz at Rigalettos - Saturday 12 to Thursday 17 July, 5–7pm
Sit back, relax and enjoy the fabulous food and entertainment on offer at Rigalettos. Tickets cost
£13.50 and include a three course a la carte meal and performance. Reservations must be made directly
with Rigalettos.
- Saturday 12th - Lauren
- Sunday 13th - John Hallam Trio
- Monday 14th - Darren Dutson-Bromley
- Tuesday 15th - Three’s Company with Al Wood
- Wednesday 16th - Alex Dee Trio
- Thursday 17th - Munch Manship Trio
Reservations – 01942 770432 / 774000
