News Post

Can you believe it’s nearly September? And that means it’s nearly October…so it’s time for us to tell you about the range of workshops and other fun events we have happening throughout (and before) Marsden Jazz Festival 2018.

Beats & Pieces Big Band creativity and improvisation workshop

Beats & Pieces Big Band is, arguably, the pre-eminent progressive big band in the UK. And you can join it! Over the course of Sun 7 October (10am-4pm), you’ll get the chance to work with Beats & Pieces director Ben Cottrell, guitarist Anton Hunter and saxophonist Anthony Brown to create brand new music to be showcased in the final session, which will be open to the public. We’ll look at possibilities for coming up with initial musical ideas and how we might develop them, and explore improvisational methods.

Street music parade

It wouldn’t be Marsden Jazz Festival without our street music parade (Sat 13 October). Starting at the top of Peel Street by The New Inn and ending at the village green behind Wessen Court, the parade features the usual suspects, including the Hurly Burly: a mobile sound sculpture, sonic amusement, twittering machine and junkyard delirium – packed with a tumultuous array of bells, sirens, alarms, whistles and mechanical percussion. The Incredible Plastic Street Band – a brass marching band for young musicians age 5-12 – will also be playing on their colourful plastic instruments.

Minifest

Minifest (Sun 14 October) is a fun musical experience for children aged 3-8 (but you’re welcome to tag along too if you promise to smile). The event features original songs to stimulate young imaginations and encourage physical activity, played by the brilliant Artful Playground Band, in a wide variety of styles ranging from rock and roll, to gypsy jazz, to rap.

We’ll also be running parade workshops (keep checking the website to find out more about these) the weekend before the festival, coming together to form the Marsden Mob, a community band playing homemade instruments. Keep checking the website and our social media channels to find out times and locations.

As ever, we’re seeking volunteers to help out this year. Volunteering is a brilliant way to learn about organising a music event and immerse yourself in new and beloved music. Please complete this form to find out more.

Do also please keep checking the website and our social media feeds for more information as it’s announced (remember to use the hashtag #MarsdenJazz18 when Tweeting about the festival and please do RT if you get the chance – every little helps).