New dates and full line-up for Scarborough Jazz Festival at town's Spa announced

This year’s Scarborough Jazz Festival has been postponed from September until February 2021.
By Sue Wilkinson
Published 5th Jun 2020, 12:30 BST
Jean ToussaintJean Toussaint
Jean Toussaint

With the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to evolve, the decision has been made to move the three-day festival held at Scarborough Spa to the weekend of Friday February 12 to Sunday February 14 2021.

The festival line-up remains unchanged barring one act, Swiss band Vein who have touring commitments in Canada but it is hoped they will be part of the September 2021 festival.

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Due to the date change, the festival’s Earlybird weekend ticket offer has been extended until the end of October and customers only need to get in touch if they can’t make the rescheduled festival when a full refund will be given.

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    Mike Gordon, The Scarborough Jazz Festival Director said: “Sadly, but as you probably anticipated, the Scarborough Jazz Festival will not take place in September.

    "However, the good news is that we have decided to postpone the event until February 2021.

    "I have been in touch with all the performers we had booked for September and I’m delighted to say that of the seventeen acts only one cannot manage the February dates.

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    "I have had numerous very positive comments about the programme and we are all looking forward to a wonderful weekend-the sun has been known to shine on Scarborough in February! Hope to see you then”.

    The Scarborough Jazz Festival line-up features a host of established jazz musicians alongside many new faces: the ground breaking pianist Fergus McCreadie; violinist John Pearce, with Dave Newton; the 11-piece Elftet led by vibes player Johnny Mansfield and gypsy jazz from Djanco.

    The highly respected pianist Nikki Iles has put together a Who’s Who of British jazz with her 19-piece Jazz Orchestra.

    Another big outfit, Hans Koller – Bird Migration, will be celebrating the anniversary of Charlie Parker one of the great jazz legends and the smaller combos on the bill represent some of the UK’s most creative musicians: Julian Joseph Trio, Jean Toussaint All Star 6tet, Karen Sharp Quartet, Dave O’Higgins & Rob Luft Quartet, Phil Robson’s Organ Trio and Zoe Gilby’s Quartet who will perform her Aurora project.

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    Offering something very different will be the Oxley-Meier Guitar Project with 12 guitars on stage; words and music spinning a tale from Rafe’s Dilemma; and undoubted surprises from world class singer Ian Shaw, with Iain Ballamy and James Safir.

    Weekend, day and session tickets for the rearranged festival are now back on sale and can be purchased via www.scarboroughjazzfestival.co.uk Full line up

    Friday February 12

    12.30pm: Rafe’s Dilemma

    2.15pm: John Pearce & Dave Newton

    4pm: Oxley/Meier Guitar Project

    7pm: TBC

    8.45pm: Julian Joseph Trio

    10.30pm: Hans Koller - Bird Migration Big Band-A Celebration of the Centenary of Charlie Parker

    Saturday February 13

    12.30pm: Djanco featuring Andy Aitchison

    2.15pm: Karen Sharp Quartet

    4pm: Ian Shaw, Iain Ballamy, Jamie Safir -What's New

    7pm: Nikki Iles Jazz Orchestra

    8.45pm: Zoe Gilby – ‘Aurora’

    10.30pm: Jean Toussaint Allstar 6tet

    Sunday February 14

    12.30pm: The Fergus McCreadie Trio

    2.15pm: Jonny Mansfield's Elftet

    4pm: Dave O’Higgins & Rob Luft Quartet

    7pm: Phil Robson’s Organ Trio

    8.45pm: The Alan Barnes Octet - ‘Jazz Portraits’