Jason Rebello, Courtney Pine and Zoe Rahman (above): opening day highlights
It’s the biggest jazz gathering in Wales, a mainstay of the local calendar in the Powys market town. Today’s highlights include the Jason Rebello Group, the soulful Jeff Beck keyboardist’s latest band; “future-jazz” Norwegian trumpet icon Nils Petter Molvaer; and Courtney Pine appearing with his hard touring House of Legends Band. Courtney’s former pianist Zoe Rahman also appears with her sophisticated quartet at Brecon later today, another big plus on opening day. Ian Shaw is not so very often on home Welsh soil these days but the sophisticated classic jazz singer appears on the busy second day of the festival tomorrow while the Saturday programme of the festival also includes an appearance by Django Bates’ Belovèd Trio ahead of the pianist's Proms appearance later this month. Trad godfather Mr Acker Bilk appears on Sunday, yet the final day is dominated by the appearance of the never knowingly under-rollicking Jools Holland Rhythm and Blues Orchestra, while John Surman, whose album Saltash Bells has won a number of significant awards this year, The Impossible Gentlemen soon to release their second album, and the evocative folk and chamber jazz of Quercus should go down a treat. Tickets http://breconjazz.com