♪ ♫ ♬  Who’s ready for the Brecon Jazz?!  ♪ ♫ ♬ 

Music, summer and a picturesque town that’s surrounded by mountains.  Where else would you want to be this weekend other than the Brecon Jazz Festival?

The Brecon Jazz festival 2013, August 9-11  will open it’s doors this weekend. With a third more gigs than last year, an unbeatable jazz lineup from the leading musicians of the Jazz world, including: Courtney Pine, Django Bates, Jools Holland, Zoe Rahman, Phronesis, Julian Siegel, Jason Rebello and Acker Bilk feature, along with Grammy Award winner Mavis Staples and, with 18 Grammy Awards between them, The Impossible Gentlemen.

This year the atmosphere will again be enhanced with colourful street entertainment that proved so popular in keeping all ages entertained around town, and the festival will once again work closely with Brecon Fringe to put a complementary programme of music into Brecon’s bars and smaller venues.

Top Tips

The Brecon Jazz is best enjoyed strolling around the town on foot soaking up the street performances and the unique atmosphere.  There are lots of local places hosting jazz related things whether you head to the shops to buy jazz themed good, stop for a meal or a quick pint in a local pub.
For a quality summer lunch visit the Hours who have a very Mediterranean menu on offer, Pilgrims Tearooms who never disappoint or the Bridge Cafe in Brecon which is situated near the Christ College venue. 

Enjoy a Brecon Brewing “Jazzy Beacons” special pale gold beer, which will be served in lots of local pubs including the Clarence, Brecon Cathedral and the Rorkes Drift.

Don’t miss the Brecon Fringe Festival as an alternative option, with over 35 venues hosting events there’s plenty to see and enjoy.

In and Around Brecon

The canal walk Brecon to Talybont-on-Usk, sets off from the canal basin towards Talybont.  Along the way there are some great local pubs to visit, end your walk at the Star Inn where you’ll be greeted by a vibrant beer garden and a live band.

There are loads of activities outside the festival if visitors or families want to mix their day up a bit such as: Biking, hiking, visiting some historic sites, Cantref Adventure Farm for the kids or book half a day with Adventure Britain for something a bit more adventurous.

Whilst in Brecon

Saturday 10th August, be sure to visit the Brecon Farmers Market to experience real Welsh food, quality meats, locally grown vegetables, fine foods and a wonderful selection of local produced drinks.

Get into the swing of the jazz by visiting the Brecon Brewing stand to try a pint of their special “Jazzy Beacon” a golden ale, which is being served in most local pubs.

Be sure to visit the canal basin where the theatre is situated.  It’s likely to be a hive of activity.

DON’T MISS - JAZZ ON A BOAT!! :  Newly established activity group Good Day Out have organised a cozy Jazz Cruise which promises to be a fun trip along the canal, featuring The Steve Doolan Trio playing on the bow!  The boat trip, canapes and a couple of drinks are included, so you just need to sit back and enjoy the ride.

What to do in the Evening
Jazz Club with Jazzman Gerald at the Market Hall shouldn’t be missed.  from 11:00 pm to 2:00am put on your dance shoes and embrace jazz in it’s full swing.

Brecon’s pubs come alive during the festival, there’s always a hearty atmosphere of music fans coming together to enjoy a evening.

Key Jazz Venues

1. Brecon Cathedral, the Cathedral Close, Brecon.  Historic and atmospheric venue
2. The Castle Hotel, one of Brecon's most iconic buildings and popular hotels
3. Market Hall, great venue that's offers wonderful accoustics for jazz
4. The Guildhall, the historic Brecon theatre offers an intimate setting
5. Christ College, set in some beautiful school ground this venue offers a more mellow side to the festival
6. Theatr Brycheiniog, a large setting that has hosted some of the most legendary Brecon Jazz performances in the past

Don't Forget... Brecon Fringe Festival

Brecon Fringe Festival 2013 takes place in Brecon, which is a lovely, unspoilt, Georgian market town in the heart of the Brecon Beacons, Mid Wales.

The Fringe  is an open-access event, which means gigs and events over the Fringe are organised and funded independently by local landlords, venue owners and individuals. We then promote these events under the title Brecon Fringe Festival. Many of these events are regulars, such as gigs at pubs and galleries but anyone can put an event on as part of the Brecon Festival Fringe and we will include it on the programme.

Brecon Fringe Festival offers opportunities for local bands to perform (as well as bands from further afield).