At the Long Gallery of the Abbey Buildings there has been a Jazz Festival for the last two days.
Events were well attended, and the event brought lots of visitors into Abingdon, and into the Abbey Buildings. The new Mayor, Jan Morter, and her husband, were very much at home watching the Oxfordshire Youth Big Band. Both work with young people musically.
The more mature Funk Bake – pictured here, had a strong driving beat.
As with most jazz. the band would start playing the same riff together, and then each of the players would take it off in their own direction – improvising. The music is never the same twice. Unlike Gregorian Chants …
The monks on their way back from the Abbey Church might have taken some time to appreciate the sound of jazz. The 2017 audience, who came from far and wide, loved it.
The early evening session with saxophonist Art Themen and his trio was absolutely wonderful – there is something really special about listening to music in that venue.
Interestingly the lead performers in both the events I went to were well into their 70s – and the audience covered a wid range – so this truly was a festival for all ages.
If you missed it keep yourself free this time next year!