Ribble Valley International Piano Week

The world of jazz piano is well represented at Ribble Valley International Piano Week in July with a rare solo appearance by Gwilym Simcock.

The festival runs from 15th until the 18th July and takes place at The Croston Theatre in Westholme School, Blackburn. Gwilym Simcock will perform on July 16th at 7.45pm, with a pre-concert talk with Gwilym and Steve Berry at 6.30pm.

Gwilym Simcock is one of the UK’s most gifted pianists and composers, able to move effortlessly between jazz and classical styles and also to inhabit both at once. His skill in dovetailing different musical traditions, and his dazzling keyboard skills will, we’re sure, result in one of the most exciting performances we’ve ever heard at the Piano Week. It is a little different for us, undoubtedly – but we think you’ll be enthralled by his astonishing talent. You may hear glimpses of Ravel or of Stravinsky as he takes us on an original journey through jazz standards and his own compositions.

Visit the Ribble Valley Piano Week website for more details.

Zoe Rahman heads to Hedben Bridge

The annual Hebden Bridge Piano Festival takes place between 17th-19th April and amongst the predominantly classical programme, there is one jazz concert.

Pianist Zoe Rahman will perform on April 19th at the Waterfront hall. Her reputation as a creative voice in jazz has continued to grow in recent years and audiences are drawn her solo piano playing which has strong roots in her classical background and her Bengali heritage.

Tickets for this, and all other Piano Festival gigs, can be purchased on the Hebden Bridge Piano Festival website.