Jacqui Dankworth and The Fresh Dixie Project are the two headlining acts performing at The Atkinson as part of this year’s Southport Jazz Festival in May.
This year’s festival takes place between Friday 9 – Sunday 11 May with events taking place across the town in bars, cafe’s, hotels and many other venues. It has been a firm favourite in the events calendar since 2001, attracting international and national artists from all different jazz styles.
Jacqui is one of the most highly regarded vocalists in the UK described as “multi-faceted” and “incomparable” by The Times. Her concert appearances and her stylistically diverse recordings showcase her virtuosic and effortless mastery of a wide spectrum of genres. Known primarily as a jazz singer, Jacqui also draws on folk, soul and blues influences, as well as her acute sensibility as a songwriter and lyricist.
She has spent a busy two years – singing, writing and acting – since the release of her acclaimed fourth album, It Happens Quietly, dedicated to her illustrious father, John Dankworth. Appearances at top venues and international jazz festivals include a rapturous reception as special guest with the Chick Corea Trio at The Barbican during the 2012 London Jazz Festival.
Her latest album, Live to Love, has been receiving rave reviews, including 4 stars from the highly respected John Fordham in The Guardian. It is a mix of great originals and classy arrangements of a few standards, with Jacqui accompanied by a horde of illustrious musicians drawn from various genres, including her husband, the phenomenal Memphis-born keyboardist and singer-songwriter Charlie Wood.
The material was first introduced to an ecstatic audience last spring when Jacqui opened the ‘Jazz Diva’ series with a much praised two-hour concert at London’s Cadogan Hall, where she performed with her quintet plus members of the BBC Big Band and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Looking and sounding absolutely fabulous, she is a ‘Jazz Diva’ in every sense of the word!!
The lineup on the album is Jacqui Dankworth (vocals), Charlie Wood (piano, Fender Rhodes, organ, vocals), Chris Allard (acoustic/electric guitars), Ben Castle (soprano/tenor sax), Geoff Gascoyne (electric/acoustic bass, synth programming, celeste, MD), Mike Smith, Ralph Salmins (drums), Paul Clarvis (percussion) and The Brodsky Quartet.
Jacqui Dankworth will be appearing at The Atkinson on Saturday 10 May, 7.30pm. Tickets are available now at £18 (£16 concessions).
The Fresh Dixie Project has exploded onto the UK’s music scene with their refreshing and unique take on swing.
The 5 young gents from the South East are pumping out the most hard-hitting, chin-scratching, toe tapping tunes you ever did hear. Tipped as swinging in the footsteps of Jamie Cullum, their intricate beats, raucous saxophone and acrobatic vocals characterise this young band’s infectious sound. Played hard, fast and laced with virtuosity, their tunes are just as electrifying for the ears as they are for the feet.
“…a group of men who will have you dressing pretty and dancing ugly…it’s got an edge; there’s teeth without it ever becoming funky or forced. It’s got a timeless class, yet still feels fresh.” One Question Music, Feb 2013
The Fresh Dixie Project are performing at The Atkinson on Friday 9 May at 7.30pm. Tickets are all £8.
For more information about all the other performances taking place as part of this year’s Southport Jazz Festival, including the fringe events and Southport Melodic Jazz Club’s concert please VisitSouthport.com
Tickets for the Jacqui Dankworth and The Fresh Dixie Project concerts are on sale now and available online at theatkinson.co.uk or by calling The Atkinson Box Office on 01704 533333. You can also purchase your tickets over the counter during The Atkinson’s opening hours.
*Please be advised there is a £2 booking fee for booking over the phone and online bookings.
HOW TO BOOK
In person: Visit the Southport Tourist Information Centre (located on Lord Street, Southport).
For tickets: visit the website theatkinson.co.uk* or call box office on 01704 533333*
*Subject to a £2 booking fee.
To book an interview or receive further information please contact Emma Lloyd – Programme and Marketing Manager on 0151 934 2129 or by email: Emma.Lloyd@sefton.gov.uk
Posted on 9 January 2014 under General news
