After the Festival
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2008 FESTIVAL REPORT

Numbers were down for various reasons but all those who attended had a great time and experienced some superb music, despite the fact that there were many new acts who many had not heard of before the festival.� I believe this is�one reason for low attendance although the general economic climate is also a contributary factor.� We also had some people cancelling bookings because of the fuel "Crisis"; an extremely lame excuse as the "crisis" did not materialise and we had full supplies here.

Opening on the Thursday with the local talent in the form of�Phil Mason and his "Jazz Friends" who played their usual enthusiastic set followed by the Tim Saul Trio and then the Kit Carey Jazz Band from Edinburgh.� In the early days of the festival, Thursday night used to be a low key affair with a mainly local audience but, as more folk have treated the visit as a bigger holiday, the numbers have swelled and the Pavilion was fairly well attended.

Friday daytime jazz in the Pavilion was provided by the Kit Carey Jazz Band at lunchtime and then the Juggets�from Holland in the afternoon, where they started by marching into the hall and parading around the dance floor. The Juggets were extremely popular throughout the weekend and were highly entertaining.

The Mount Stuart concert on Friday evening started with the Laurie Holloway Trio and then we had to switch the second act as the planned Norwegian band, Jazzin' Babies, had booked a flight which prevented their arrival until too late.� Laurie Holloway, well known for his appearences on Strictly Come Dancing and the Michael Parkinson Show proved to be a great act, with a polished performance of piano jazz, great standards and a superb Beatles medlay. Abely supported by drummer Harold Fisher and Dave Olney on double bass they were a star act.� They were followed on stage by Ken Mathieson's Classic Jazz Orchestra.

Saturday saw one of the best street parades we have ever experienced, led by the magnificent 11 piece Juggets Marching Band from Holland.�Many other musicians joined them to lead a colourful array of brightly dressed jazzers�and the�brolly twirlers.

The two jazz cruises were still popular even though the weather was a little overcast.

Saturday evening provided a good choice in the Pavilion with the�Laurie Holloway Trio in the Cafe�Jazzin' Babies and the Daniel Smith Blues Band in the Main Hall.

Phil Mason's New Orleans All Stars played at St. Andrews Hall whilst, in the Glenburn Hotel the audience was entertained by Alan Glen and the Juggets.

The Esplanade hosted a great set fom one man blues band Mike Whellans then one of the best bands of the weekend, The Guiness All Stars. �They deserved a slot in the Pavilion as they could easily have raised the roof in a larger venue. Unfortunately we had not recognised this before the program went to print. Their second appearence on Saturday in St. Andrews Hall was better placed but St. Blanes on Sunday afternoon was just too crowded. �We definitley need to open up the Pavilion on the Sunday afternoon to cater for large crowds when the weather is not good enough for site seeing.

The rain came on Sunday which forced the cancellation of the Jazz Picnic in the Castle. The venue was moved to the Pavilion but it is never a good compamise and we really needed more jazz on the Sunday afternoon in Rothesay.

Sunday evening saw the return of the Deep River Quartet and their band which packed out the Pavilion. Not Jazz in the true sense of the word but a very class act. Phil Mason's New Orleans Jazz Band with Christine Tyrell performed in the church for the Gospel Service then moved on to the Glenburn Hotel.

The Guiness All Stars provide us with a storming three hour set in St. Andrews Hall whilst George Penman's Jazzmen and the Daniel Smith Blues band played in the Esplanade. On reflection, two big bands in such a small venue is not such a good idea but it does give a great atmosphere.

Rounding off on Monday lunchtime George Penman and Phil Mason put on their traditional farewell double set, joined on stage by Robin Patrick on bagpipes for "the Saints" as a finale.

Just been to the Islay Whisky Festival!! �It's a hard life.��

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