Cerys Matthews and Joan Armatrading to make Brecon debut

May 14 2008 by Karen Price, Western Mail

CERYS MATTHEWS and Joan Armatrading are unveiled today as the joint headliners of this year’s Brecon Jazz Festival.

The singer-songwriters will be making their debuts at the festival in August as it celebrates its 25th anniversary.

There will also be appearances by Jools Holland, Lee Konitz, Cleo Laine and her husband John Dankworth.

And baritone sax player Joe Temperley will lead the 25th anniversary Brecon All Stars.

The programme is announced today as the festival website goes live.

Festival director Jim Smith said: “This is a very important and exciting year for the festival and Brecon town – 25 years is an incredible milestone and much thanks is due to the many people who have worked so hard over the years.

“We will be staging around 100 events over the course of the four days of the festival.”

During the past 25 years Brecon Jazz has grown to become one of Europe’s most unique musical festivals and people now travel from all over the world to attend the event.

Last year it was named Best Major Event In Wales at the Welsh Tourism Awards.

The 2008 festival, sponsored by HSBC, opens on August 7 with a performance by Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra.

Welsh singer Matthews will join Armatrading in the Watton Marquee on the second night.

Temperley leads the 25th Anniversary Brecon All Stars, with special guest Martin Taylor, to open the Market Hall programme.

New international talent Roberta Gambarini will be among those making their Brecon debut and festival stalwart Courtney Pine is back once again, this time with his tribute to Sidney Bechet.

The festival comes to a close on August 10 with the performance from Laine and Dankworth.