Harrogate International Festivals is delivering a unique platform for one of the leading female jazz musicians of our time.
Zoe Rahman, the Mercury nominated jazz pianist and composer and MOBO award winner, has been invited by the Festival to be a guest Curator to deliver an evening of jazz, celebrating the best female jazz musicians at work today in the legendary Spiegeltent.
Zoe said:
I’ve been waiting for the opportunity to highlight some of the incredible female jazz musicians we have in the UK and was delighted I was invited to curate an evening.
Opening with a set from the brilliant Scottish saxophonist and composer Laura MacDonald, I’ll then present a set with my own band, featuring powerful drummer Cheryl Alleyne and the phenomenal viola player Amanda Drummond.
The event will take in the whole spectrum of jazz, offering an accessible, inspiring night, bringing a Jazz Cafe bohemian vibe to Harrogate for one night only.
Sharon Canavar, CEO of Harrogate International Festivals, said:
Jazz is all about freedom of expression, and we wanted to showcase an all-female line-up at the festival this year as we celebrate the centenary of suffragette Emily Davison. It’s a strong theme across all our programmes this year, to rejoice great female artists.
Other strong female acts this year include opera diva Lesley Garrett, princess of pop Lianne La Havas, a panel celebrating female explorers of the Antarctic, as well as Queens of crime fiction, Ruth Rendell and Val McDermid.
Radio 4 presenter of Woman’s Hour, Jenni Murray, spoke out in support of the festival celebrating women in the arts: “I’m a huge supporter of Harrogate International Festivals and its Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival. …It’s a particular pleasure to support the 2013 theme of ‘strong women’. .. The success of female talent in this field is something very worth celebrating.”
Zoe Rahman, Saturday 1 June, Spiegeltent on Crescent Gardens, 8pm. Tickets: £12. Box Office: 01423 562 303
www.harrogateinternationalfestivals.com
