NORTH Cornwall’s music lovers have been treated to some jazz delight following the success of Bude Jazz Festival.
The 35th annual Bude Jazz Festival welcomed people from across the country to the coastal town to enjoy four days of musical magic.
The event hosted a number of gigs at a variety of venues across the town, providing attendees with plenty of music to get stuck into.
2024’s venues included the Falcon Hotel, the Ivor Potter Hall in the Parkhouse Centre, the Methodist Church, the Golf Club, and ‘Upstairs’.
With a bar and catering at the Parkhouse centre, provided by ‘Outside Inn’, guests were in for a treat.
However, despite some fantastic performances on offer, the festival experienced a sombre tone following two sad events prior to its launch.
Jeremy Huggett, who was scheduled to lead a number of bands, experienced a heart attack shortly before the festival, sadly passing away a week later.
A spokesperson from the committee said: “Tim used to own the Falcon Hotel and will be sorely missed. Our thoughts are with Maria Huggett and Dorothy Browning.”
Despite these sad events, the committee and attendees were keen to host the successful festival which both Tim and Jeremy had worked towards.
The festival included the usual parade and prizes were given for the best adult and children’s brollies. Other features included a strolling band playing at various locations around the town on two days, busking sessions outside the Falcon every morning, and dance lessons each day, led this year by the Swingsters, Mike and Mel.
There is still plenty of traditional jazz at the festival but the organisers have continued to widen the variety to give a wider choice of music, and some younger musicians. There were also bands paying tribute to musicians of the past such as Ian Bateman’s Louis Armstrong All Stars, Richard Exall quartet - Goes Getz, and Warren James - the Story of Skiffle.
The 36th Bude Jazz Festival will run from Tuesday, August 26, to Friday, August 29, 2025. Tickets will be on sale from the start of 2025.