This year’s Brecon festival will see a diverse and exciting mixture of homegrown, experimental and world music talents, all gathering in the beautiful Welsh market town of Brecon. Some of the highlights include: Omara Portuondo singing with Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club; Charlie Musselwhite; Pee Wee Ellis; France’s National Jazz Orchestra, Orchestre National de Jazz; Håkon Kornstad; Get The Blessing; Jasper; Kyle Eastwood; The Dave Stapleton Quintet; Simon Spillett and Dave Bishop; the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble; the Portico Quartet, Mercury Prize nominees the Kit Downes trio, and Omar Hakim. Please see the press release for more detailed information, and visit our website to find a full festival programme: www.breconjazz.org.

Much of it goes without saying for a local audience, but Brecon is a beautiful Welsh market town set amongst the Black Mountainous district of the Brecon Beacons National Park, and in the shadow of Pen-y-Fan (the highest mountain in the south of the country). The festival brings a celebratory air to Brecon with venues across the town offering concerts and performances, plus a jazz carnival parade through the streets. This is the perfect weekend event for the family.

I think that the you could preview Brecon from one of several angles. Interestingly, the festival is now run by the organizer of The Hay Festival, Peter Florence. This is the second year that Brecon Jazz has been under Peter’s charge; his energy and enthusiasm for jazz makes the festival a fantastic prospect. The mountainous surroundings provide opportunity for a broad range of family activities, with the entertainment provided by the jazz festival offering an attractive way to relax in the evenings.