New home for jazz

Courtney Pine

From humble beginnings, Hull Jazz has come a long way since a group of musicians jammed out tunes by the marina.
Today, it is regarded as one of the UK's leading jazz festivals, and now in its sixteenth year, the event is about to enter a brave new era.
For the last time, Hull Truck Theatre in Spring Street will be the main stage for jazz performers before the festival moves on to bigger things.
From next summer it will be based in the theatre's new and improved building in Ferensway, with activities also held in the adjacent Albemarle Music Centre and around the new St Stephens development.
"Spring Street has been a fantastic base and has lots of great memories for us, but all good things come to an end," said David Porter, the organiser of Hull Jazz on behalf of Hull City Council.
"This year's event will be a celebration and a milestone of progress and a chance to say goodbye to Spring Street in style."
The festival will have a contemporary and upbeat feel with jazz performers from the USA, Jamaica, Israel, and of course the best of British.
Among those performing are Jazz Jamaica (a ten-piece band playing hits released on the Trojan Records label), and Courtney Pine, one of the UK's top jazz musicians.
The festival includes a mouth-watering mix of musical styles with samba, blues, reggae, string quartets, ska, female vocalists, big band and swing all on the bill.
Thousands of people are expected at Jazz in the Gardens, the open air gig in Queen's Gardens on August 3 from 11.30am - 5.30pm, where there will be a wide range of local and regional performers playing to the crowds.

Hull Jazz runs from July 27 to August 3.
Performances also take place at Pave in Princes Avenue and The Goodfellowship in Cottingham Road.
For further information and tickets please call Hull Truck Theatre box office on 323638.