New sound of Brecon

WalesOnline reports a good interview with Brecon jazz festival boss Peter Florence who says the new Brecon is to be one without drunkenness (the old fest was 'an open bar with entertainment') and 'a platform for emerging international artists and a really progressive festival for jazz fans'.

The old Brecon fest was, actually, a bit more than 'entertainment' - a serious jazz festival programmed by a serious jazz enthusiast - and the mildly unregulated aspect was a strong part of the attraction.

Will this one match the combination of atmosphere and international talent that made Brecon one of the best festivals of the 80s and 90s? According to its website Brecon is now putting its faith in the 'new golden age of British jazz' embodied by Portico, Kairos, Get The Blessing, Gwilym Simcock and Kit Downes. Speaking as if fresh from a Britjazz marketing seminar, it says 'For the first time America and Europe are looking to Britain's emerging talent with respect and wonder,' and that these are the musicians with 'the power and the genius to re-establish jazz as a universal, popular and joyful part of life'.

Florence told the Western Mail: 'This is the new sound of Brecon and it's much more dynamic than what we have seen on the programme before.' One wonders if he is aware of such joyful precedents as this, from Brecon in the 90s, one among many dynamic events staged by the old regime.