Summer jazz delights the crowd at Candie

Both the Guernsey training and youth jazz orchestras performed half-hour sets on a sunny afternoon in front of approximately 200 people, including renditions of classics such as Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey and Just the Two of Us by Bill Withers.

Head of the Guernsey Music Service Tim Wright said that the two performances were part of a series of concerts for the orchestras this summer.

‘We’ve been playing here as long as these services at Candie have been happening, which is a very long time.

‘We love being part of it, and it helps that it’s such a lovely day for it too.’

He added that approximately 60 young musicians from school Years 8 to 13 made up the orchestras.

‘I think all of the secondary schools are represented. We were at St Martin’s Church yesterday for the flower and music festival, and two of our big shows will be later in the year when we perform at Government House for the King’s birthday celebrations, and then go to Biberach in Germany to celebrate the town’s twinning with St Peter Port.’

Alto-saxophonist Francesco Cacace, 14, is in his second year of playing as part of the training jazz orchestra.

‘I really enjoy it. I think we’ve got four concerts to perform at for the rest of this summer so it’ll be good to continue to practice and improve,’ he said.

Fellow alto-saxophonist Jasmin Atkinson, 15, has played the instrument for three years, and joined the orchestra because of her love of jazz.

‘It’s probably my favourite music to listen to, and it’s nice to play,’ she said.

The concerts attracted visitors from outside the Bailiwick, with Jean-Luc Perree having come over from Cherbourg in France as part of a two-day trip to the island.

‘I really enjoy jazz music, and the weather has been lovely. I’m pleased to have come here as part of my trip,’ he said.

Islanders Keith and Christine Ellis said that they had attended concerts in Candie Gardens for the last few years, and always looked forward to the performances.

‘We both love jazz, in fact we are going to another concert next week, which we are both really looking forward to,’ Mr Ellis said.

Guernsey Street Festival organises and runs the concerts to showcase local talent.

It is funded by Collas Crill, as trustees of The Sarnia Memorial Trust, and Guernsey Arts.

The concerts take place every summer Sunday at 3pm for about an hour. Tomorrow Le Jazz Accord is expected to be performing.