Star American imports the Hitman Blues Band provided great music at the launch of the 38th Birmingham, Sandwell & Westside Jazz Festival.
The New York band, formed by Russell ‘Hitman’ Alexander, gave an outstanding glimpse of what is to come as lovers of jazz, blues and swing get ready to enjoy 10 days of outstanding music.
And soul singer Roy G Hemmings, the longest serving former member of legendary Motown group The Drifter, added even more musical glamour at festival’s launch at The Rep Bar & Café on Friday 15 July.
The official launch of what is the Birmingham’s biggest and longest running jazz festival began with a welcome introduction by The Rep’s executive director Rachael Thomas.
She handed over to Birmingham City Council leader Councillor Ian Ward, who described the jazz festival as one of the highlights of the city’s cultural calendar.
He said: “There really is something for everyone, so thank you to the organisers who have added to the festival every year since it started in 1985.”
Coun Ward said the “eyes of the world” would soon be on the city because of the Commonwealth Games, adding: “Enjoy the festival, it’s the perfect soundtrack to a wonderful summer here in Birmingham.”
Gerald Manton, chair of Westside BID, one of the festival’s main sponsors, thanked the near 400 musicians taking part, the venues hosting the events, and the volunteers for “helping us out”.
He also applauded the organisers for putting the festival on, and added a special word for the future audiences: “This is for you, so enjoy the music.”
The words of welcome were completed by jazz legend and festival patron Digby Fairweather who praised organiser Jim Simpson for keeping the event going during the “height of Covid”.
Digby, who will be adding to his 51 years of playing by performing during the festival, said: “The festival provides something once a year that we can look forward to, and that’s a huge national achievement.
“Jazz goes on today the way it did 150 years ago, but it isn’t getting anywhere near the government funding that other forms of music get.”
The jazz festival, which continues until Sunday 24 July, comprises almost 200 performances, nearly all of them free.
Hitman Blues Band will be making several appearances, including Central Square, Brindleyplace, on 21 July, and Velvet Music Rooms in Broad Street on 22 July, which will be broadcast live on Genesis Radio. For further information visit: www.birminghamjazzfestival.com or call the festival hotline on 0121 454 7020.
Captions, main picture: (from right) Gerald Manton, Roy G Hemmings, Jim Simpson and a member of the Hitman Blues Band. Inset: the Hitman Blues Band playing at the launch.
Pictures © Tony Collins.
