THE FESTIVAL has attracted many big names over the years, drawn by the lure of the beautiful setting and Ken’s five-star treatment of his artists. The director’s particular passion is for jazz piano, and it is no surprise that the guest list over the years includes stellar pianists like Monty Alexander, Kenny Barron, Ralph Sutton, John Bunch, Gene Harris, Junior Mance, Benny Green and Bill Charlap. Mance returns this year, and Eric Reed makes his debut.
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It has not survived by pianists alone, however. His guests have included stars like cornetist Ruby Braff and bass player Ray Brown, both sadly no longer with us, and guitarist-singer John Pizzarelli, as well as favourites like Scott Hamilton, Warren Vache and Ken Peplowski. The latter two are back this year, along with trombonist Wycliffe Gordon.
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Scottish artists have also been well represented, including expatriates like Jim Galloway and Joe Temperley, as well as home-based stars like Carol Kidd, Martin Taylor and Brian Kellock.
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“My aim right from the start has always been to present top-quality mainstream jazz here, and to let people in this part of the world hear music that they wouldn’t otherwise have a chance to hear.
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“We do have people travelling up here every year to the festival, but the audience is very much a local one. I feel my experience in business has been crucial in getting this festival established. You can’t just put these things on and wait to see what happens, you have to get out there and sell it. If people like what you are selling, they will come back for more.”
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That festival received a grant award of £80,000 from the Scottish Arts Council’s National Lottery Access and Participation Scheme last year. The cash is spread over a three year period, and, as Ken explained, is intended to develop various complementary aspects of the festival, rather than to offset the running costs of booking and presenting concerts.
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“I was delighted by the success of the Lottery application,” Ken confirmed. “Towns like Nairn have often seemed to be on the periphery when awards like this were handed out, but I think this has been a great achievement for the team who have run the festival over the years, and the people who helped put the application together.
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“The money cannot be used to run the events - they still have to be funded by our own efforts. Even with excellent box office returns, that still only covers about one third of the costs at best, so there is a lot of fund-raising still to do.”
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The Nairn International Jazz Festival runs from 3-9 August. For further information, contact Ramage Jazz on 01309 674221.
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© Kenny Mathieson, 2003
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