The opening date of the National Jazz Centre, originally expected to be February 1985, has been rescheduled for 8 May 1985. Delays in delivery of some major items, plus additional works have been the cause of the postponement. Once open, the Centre, at 9/10 Floral St, Covent Garden will include a 400 capacity performance space, 150 capacity bar / restaurant, practice / rehearsal rooms, dressing rooms, library / archive / educational facilities, a shop and foyer / box office. The NJC’s opening season will be devoted to an intensive festival of jazz in the UK in all its forms.
Meanwhile, the NJC will be active in organising two major events: The first is a major Royal Gala Concert at The London Palladium on February 10th, which is to feature a comprehensive spread of performers, including Humphrey Lyttelton, Nigel Kennedy, Helen Shapiro, Stan Tracey, Working Week, Barbara Thompson’s Paraphernalia, Jools Holland, Alison Moyet, Will Gaines, NYJO, Marion Montgomery and Yehudi Menuhin. Tickets are from £7.50 to £25 and can be obtained from the NJC at 5, Dryden St. (01 240 2430) or the Palladium.
In addition, the NJC, in association with the London Borough of Camden, will be responsible for the annual Camden Jazz Week from March 18-23 at the Logan Hall, Bedford Way, London WC1. Among those likely to take part are Graham Collier’s International Big Band, The World Saxophone, Quartet, Tony Oxley / Enrico Rava Quintet, Bobby Watson / Guy Barker Quintet and the Brazilian flautist Hermeto Pascoal.
The NJC’s Community Music Programme continues to be active, and has organised over 300 improvisation workshops in community and youth centres throughout London. The programme recently received major sponsorship from BP and as a result was one of the first beneficiaries of the government’s Business Sponsorship Incentive Scheme for the arts.
