Meilana Gillard
Black Box on Sunday hosts the biggest one-day jazz gathering under one roof Belfast has seen in many years. Jazz Day, a unique all-day festival of jazz taking place at this Cathedral Quarter venue on Hill Street, comes to an area of the city centre that has seen tremendous growth in recent years as an artistic and creative hub. Trumpeter and bandleader Linley Hamilton, one of the guiding lights of the Belfast scene, provides this exclusive guide to what’s happening on the day and offers a glimpse of the burgeoning scene in the city
Jazz Day has come about as a result of a lack of funding for jazz from the usual sources, and is the musicians themselves coming together as a collective to play, be supportive to each other, and to bring the fans along as part of the team, the Northern Ireland jazz fraternity, who are stakeholders in what we do just as much as we are. Fans who attend the regular gigs of which there are some 45 a month in Belfast alone between McHughs Bar on Saturdays from 5:30-7:30; Bert’s Jazz Bar seven nights per week; Gerry Rice’s Europa gig every Saturday afternoon; and the SD Bells Sunday lunchtime gig, to name a few. The musicians are coming together in different set-ups for the day, with music running from 3:30 in the afternoon right through to 11pm. There will be bands that have been formed for the day; bands that already exist; and a number of young bands who will get a chance to debut at a festival and play as equals on the day but also gain a chance to see their peers in action, meet them and possibly play together at different stages of the day. It is a communal event with everyone an equal stakeholder, musicians and punters alike.
Here’s the full programme, and Linley’s guide to the bands taking part
3:30 Michael Barkley Organ Quartet: Michael is a young trumpeter studying for a Jazz Masters at DIT in Dublin. He will be joined by Scott Flanigan on organ; Meilana Gillard, sax; and Steve Davis drums.
4:30 Emmanuele Amaforte trio: Emmanuel is an Italian guitarist residing here now, and he is joined by Rohan Armstrong on bass, and James Anderson on drums.
5:30 James Docherty Quartet: James a trombonist who recently achieved a 2:1 at the University of Ulster Magee in his music degree, will be using Ryan Muldoon on drums among others.
6pm Sinéad Conway Band: Sinéad is a vocalist from Sligo, and she will be bringing her band from Sligo with such notables as Eddie Lee on bass in the line-up.
6:45 Ronnie Greer Almost Big Band: guitar legend Ronnie Greer putting a blues slant on the day. With Colm Fitzpatrick, Alan Hunter, Anthony Toner, David Howell, and myself all making contributions.
7:45 Linley Hamilton Band: I will be joined by lots of guests including Dublin saxophonist Alex Mathias, with guest appearances by Fiona Trotter, among others.
8:45 Meilana Gillard Band: Meilana is using the same line-up as the Michael Barkley Quartet for this one. But we will be treated to all her own original music here.
9:45 Something Special Band: This is a specially-reserved slot to allow musicians on the day to make one-offs happen. I shall co-ordinate this slot on the day, but it could turn out to be the most fun of all the slots!
10:20 Scott Cowan Band: American trumpeter Scott Cowan has been residing in Derry for the last six months, and this is a chance for him to sign off in style with a band of hand-picked musicians, and what should be a real belter at the end of the day.
In the last 12 months jazz has really taken off in Belfast with venues like McHughs and Bert’s Jazz Bar providing regular work for musicians, and the opportunities for them to create something new. Most importantly, though, the fans have been brought in to feel part of it. Jazz on BBC Radio Ulster has helped provide the profiles for the musicians on the local scene, and provided gig guides as well as perspectives for the standard of musicianship available locally. And, boy, have the punters held their hands up and come out in support. This is the next step, to bring all the musicians together as a team to work for each other, with each other, and with the support of the people who are the ultimate beneficiaries. If Belfast City Council bite the bullet next year, this could well turn into a major festival for local international musicians alike, supply opportunity for tourists who pass through, and a target for young musicians to work towards. We are all in this together so let’s enjoy the fruits of our hard work.
Tickets are £10 and available via www.blackboxbelfast.com