Jazz Preview: Larkin's favourites and inventor of funk at Hull jazz fest

Hull Jazz Festival reaches a nautical climax this weekend with performances which coincide with the return to the city of 10 boats from the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.
By The Newsroom
Published 16th Jul 2010, 15:16 BST
Updated 16th Jul 2010, 15:16 BST

Apart from jazz in the Marina Boatshed by the Asere Cuban All Stars, the City of Hull Youth Jazz Orchestra and Mad Dog and the SophistiCats tomorrow and Sunday, there will be displays by parachute and helicopter teams to welcome the mini-fleet after its 35,000 mile journey. The programme continues tonight in Hull Truck Theatre's studio with a celebration of the jazz which was closest to the heart of Philip Larkin. There will be music and a discussion to launch a new compilation of his favourite sounds.

Later in the evening at the same venue, the New Orleans clarinettist Evan Christopher presents Django a la Creole, a fusion of gypsy swing with the style of early jazz masters such as Sidney Bechet. Larkin would have loved it.

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Trumpeter Abram Wilson draws on his African-American roots tomorrow evening in a quartet completed by pianist Peter Edwards, drummer Graham Godfrey and bassist Karl-Rasheed Abel. This precedes the Pee Wee Ellis Jazz Assembly, led by the saxophonist credited with inventing funk. Ellis worked with the likes of George Benson, Hank Crawford and Van Morrison.

As the yachts arrive home, this smacks of a voyage of discovery for jazz fans.

Related topics:Hull