On Tuesday 30th April, Bristol Jazz & Blues Festival launched a Crowdfunder to save the city’s well-loved jazz festival.
Despite celebrating a fantastic 7th festival last month, minimum funding, a departure from Colston Hall (during its renovation), and door sales lost to 2018‘s ‘beast from the east‘ all mean that this much-loved event needs your help!
Running on Bristol’s crowdfunding platform Fundsurfer, the Festival campaign has a target of £30,000 to ensure the future of an event that has seen almost 3000 local and international musicians perform, provided masterclasses and schools‘ workshops and attracted over 12,000 people annually to its free and ticketed events.
Alongside international stars such as Dr John, Macy Gray, Arturo Sandoval, Maceo Parker, Melody Gardot and Pee Wee Ellis, it presents world premieres of new music, Big Band swing dances and commissions local established and emerging artists to create new music. But what makes this festival truly special is the unbelievable amount of talented local musicians that contribute every year, from the renowned – Andy Sheppard, Andy Hague and Get the Blessing – to the emerging, and who perform both ticketed and free stage concerts for all to enjoy.
Matt Schofield workshop at Bristol Folk House – 2018
‘In these challenging and confusing times, I feel we need entertaining now more than ever! With music being stripped away from school curriculums, funding for the arts at an all-time low and festivals, clubs and arts centres struggling to survive, we hope that you will join us in helping reverse this alarming trend by supporting our efforts to bring world-class jazz and blues to Bristol, as well as continuing to provide creative opportunities to local musicians.’ Denny Ilett, Artistic Director.
Pee Wee Ellis workshop – 2015
The Festival is reaching out to all those who have enjoyed the event in its many forms to donate anything from a few pounds to larger contributions, and help ensure the Festival continues into 2020 and beyond.
‘I do hope you will support the Festival through this challenging time and support us in ensuring it continues to provide great music for everyone. All donations will be managed diligently in order to secure the financial stability of this popular event and enable us to build on its many strengths for years to come. Thank you in anticipation.’ Sandra Fryer, Chair of the Trustees.
Elles Bailey at Bristol Jazz & Blues Festival 2019 by John Seaman
To find out more about the festival please click this link – fundsurfer.com/bristoljazzandblues
www.bristoljazzandbluesfest.com
#savebristoljazzfest
Bristol International Jazz & Blues Festival is a registered charity, no. 1149781
Press contact: Polly Eldridge, [email protected] / 0117 329 0519
