It’s been hailed as the jazz festival in the most beautiful setting in the UK.<\/p>\n
Organisers have revealed that Summer Night Jazz is returning to Plas Newydd on Anglesey on
\nJuly 7 and 8.<\/p>\n
The home of Lord and Lady Anglesey, now a National Trust property, looks across the Menai Strait towards the breath-taking view of Snowdonia.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Topping the bill this year is jazz sensation Anthony Strong who will be following in the footsteps of all-time greats like Humphrey Lyttleton and Acker Bilk.<\/p>\n Strong’s growing fan base includes Rod Steward, Michael Parkinson and Jamie Cullum who are all raving about the London-based singer who’s been compared to Michael Bubl\u00e9.<\/p>\n A crowd-pleasing local Brazilian Latin band called Banda Bacana will be generating a carnival atmosphere and\u00a0 there will also be a New Orleans-style jazz ensemble made up of members of Beaumaris Brass Band.<\/p>\n After an absence of seven years, the festival was revived last year and was a big hit with the thousands of jazz lovers who flocked there.<\/p>\n The comeback was the brainchild of Gwyn Evans, a peripatetic music teacher with Gwasanaeth Ysgolion William Mathias\u00a0 (William Mathias Schools’ Service) whose many other hats include that of Musical Director of the multi-award winning Beaumaris Brass Band.<\/p>\n Gwyn, who also plays the trumpet and sings, will also be performing with his own band, Dr Jazz.<\/p>\n The event is again being sponsored this year by Gaerwen-based home improvements specialists, Peninsula.<\/p>\n National Trust spokesman Alun Pritchard said: “With the massive Jubilee Strait Party here on\u00a0 June 5 as well as this stunning jazz festival , Plas Newydd is clearly becoming the top venue for great outdoor events this Summer.”<\/p>\n Gwyn said: “Many years ago the National Trust staged a jazz event here for more than 10 years and all the jazz greats like Humphrey Lyttleton, Kenny Ball and Acker Bilk came here and performed.<\/p>\n “The band I play for, Dr Jazz, supported all those bands but unfortunately the event petered out and there was a gap of seven or eight years.<\/p>\n “There were so many people who asked about reviving the festival that\u00a0 it came back by popular demand.<\/p>\n “I decided to take the plunge and go for it – and last year’s event was a huge success.<\/p>\n “I can’t think that there is a setting to compare with this in the whole of the UK.<\/p>\n “There will be a lovely atmosphere and people can bring their picnic hampers and champagne while they’re chilling out to some cool jazz.<\/p>\n “There’s a real family feel to the event, it’s not about hard core jazz – and hopefully we’ve got the chemistry right again this year.<\/p>\n “What we’re trying to do is to celebrate the island of Anglesey, the island is full of talented youngsters.<\/p>\n “As well as the jazz night on the Saturday night, on the Sunday we have a celebration of youth so all the youth groups, bands, choirs and orchestras will be taking part.<\/p>\n “We will also be having a local farmers’ market to sell local produce and we will also have local beers and local ice creams.<\/p>\n “To have a local firm like Peninsula sponsoring us is brilliant. They are so supportive to the arts on the island, especially music. I can’t thank them enough really.<\/p>\n Peninsula Managing Director Ken Grayson explained: “We\u00a0 saw Summer Night Jazz as an opportunity to give something back to our local community.<\/p>\n “It’s a good way of getting our name associated with a fantastic cultural event that’s beneficial to the area. It just seemed a win-win for everybody.<\/p>\n “The setting is perfect – with sea, mountains and a beautiful stately home with a natural amphitheatre overlooking the Menai Strait.<\/p>\n “Last year’s inaugural event was brilliant and we’re hoping that everybody who came will return and bring more people with them.<\/p>\n “This year we’re getting more involved in organising the event – as well as our financial input we’re giving our time and enthusiasm.”<\/p>\n For more information about Summer Night Jazz and how to book tickets go to www.plasnewyddjazz.com<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n