Swansea's Maritime Quarter will be bustling with music and entertainment this weekend as the Swansea International Jazz Festival makes a triumphant return. The festival will see jazz musicians and bands perform in some of the district's most popular bars, theatres and hotels and is taking place this Thursday, June 23 to Sunday, June 26.
This year's event has been organised by Swansea Jazz Club and Swansea Council and there will be several concerts, cruises and a host of other events and performances to feast your eyes - and ears - on across the Maritime Quarter and in Uplands too. The concert programme opens with award-winning trumpet player Bruce Adams and award-winning saxophonist Alan Barnes playing at the Garage Music Venue in Uplands, whilst the Dylan Thomas Theatre in the Maritime Quarter will play host to five concerts including Simon Spillett and his 17-piece band, aptly named Simon Spillett Big Band.
The Karen Sharp Quartet, James Taylor Quartet, Thomas Langsaw Trio, Constellation Big Band, Reed Folk Quarter and Jack Mac Funk Quintet are also among the musicians and bands performing over the festival weekend. To get more What's On news straight to your inbox, subscribe to our dedicated newsletter here.
Read more: MumblesFest 2022: The line-up for the Oystermouth Castle musical event this summer
Artistic director at Swansea Jazz Club, Dave Cottle said: "We haven't had a big lead time for this year's festival, but we have managed to get an excellent and varied jazz programme together quickly. There are great concerts to look forward to and some firm favourites are returning on the stroller programme. Swansea Marina will be buzzing again to a weekend of live jazz! We are delighted to be working with Swansea Council and look forward to some exciting times ahead!"
Festival patron Sir Karl Jenkins is also looking forward to the festival. "It's great news that the festival is back this year. It has been a very difficult time for the whole music industry and musicians particularly these last two years," he said. "However, the festival's return is a positive sign that things are finally getting back to normal and I do hope people are able to come along and support the concerts this year."
Swansea Council's cabinet member for investment, regeneration and tourism, councillor Robert Francis-Davies added: "We are delighted to be partnering with Swansea International Jazz Festival, which has become a strong fixture in the city's event calendar.
"The festival attracts some of the best musicians from the UK jazz scene playing a range of styles across the jazz music genre, which I'm sure audiences from across the Swansea region will come to enjoy.
"[Swansea Jazz Club] has done a great job in establishing the festival over past years and we now look forward to working collaboratively to continue its success and develop it even further."
Line up for Swansea International Jazz Festival 2022
Concert Programme
These performances are ticketed, visit the Visit Swansea Bay website here to buy your tickets:
Alan Barnes & Bruce Adams
Thursday 23 June, 8pm – Swansea Jazz Club at Garage Music Venue
Simon Spillett Big Band: The Music of Tubby Hayes
Friday 24 June, 8pm – Dylan Thomas Theatre
Karen Sharp Quartet
Saturday 25 June, 2.30pm – Dylan Thomas Theatre
James Taylor Quartet
Saturday 25 June, 8pm – Dylan Thomas Theatre
The Louis and Ella Music Show
Sunday 26 June, 2.30pm – Dylan Thomas Theatre
Some Kinda Wonderful: The Music of Stevie Wonder
Sunday 26 June, 8pm – Dylan Thomas Theatre
Copper Jack Jazz Cruises
As part of the Swansea International Jazz Festival, the Copper Jack is offering two relaxing river cruises, both accompanied by brilliant jazz music:
Ellie Jones & Gary Phillips
Saturday 25 June, 2pm - booking in advance is essential, call 07785 347549 or email events@scbt.org.uk.
Afternoon in Paris Duo
Sunday 26 June, 2pm – booking in advance is essential, call 07785 347549 or email events@scbt.org.uk.
Free Stroller Programme
These events are free and aimed at people who want to stroll around the Maritime Quarter and sample a variety of different performers:
Friday 24 June
- Ewan Haines Davies Group, 4.30pm – 6.30pm, Queens Hotel
- Gary Phillips Trio, 5pm – 7pm, Riverhouse
- Bunker, 5.30pm – 7.30pm, The Swigg
Saturday 25 June
- Siglo Section Big Band, 12.30pm – 2.30pm, Amphitheatre
- John-Paul Gard Organ Trio, 1pm – 3pm, Riverhouse
- Thomas Langshaw Trio, 2.30pm – 4.30pm, The Swigg
- Ray ‘Taff’ Williams and, 4pm – 6pm, Riverhouse
- Sarah & The Creepy Uncles, 4.30pm – 6.30pm, Queen’s Hotel
- Afternoon in Paris Band, 4.30pm – 6.30pm, Amphitheatre
- The Cottle Brothers, 5pm – 7pm, Pumphouse
- Ian ‘Titch’ Thomas Duo, 7pm – 9pm, Riverhouse
Sunday 26 June
- Constellation Big Band, 12.30pm – 2.30pm, Amphitheatre
- Buttonsville, 1pm – 3pm, Riverhouse
- Reed Folk Quartet, 2.30pm – 4.30pm, The Swigg
- Jack Mac Funk Quintet, 4pm – 6pm, Riverhouse
- Matt Sage Trio, 4.30pm – 6.30pm, Queen’s Hotel
- Albino Frogs, 4.30pm – 6.30pm, Amphitheatre
- Ray ‘Taff’ Williams Band, 5pm – 7pm, Pumphouse
READ NEXT
Met Office issues thunderstorm warning for Wales
How a trendy Swansea bar made jazz music a permanent Monday fixture in Uplands
Wales Airshow set to announce more attractions as the big weekend in Swansea Bay draws near
Welsh independence march planned for first time since pandemic
Welsh TikTok star described as 'savage' by teammates on Channel 4 series The Bridge
