Gent Jazz ’09 festival preview

Briefly mentioned in our summer festival round-up, the Gent Jazz festival deserves a special mention. After all, it’s all happening in the backyard of the Beyondjazz homebase: Gent, Belgium. It’s also one of the longest-standing topics on Beyondjazz, from the time it was called the Blue Note Festival. Browsing the archives, you’ll find reviews from every single year. There’s 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008!

So, for the seventh time we are looking forward to seeing some of the names on the programme, and relaxing on the athmospheric patio of the festival. Of interest to the Beyondjazz audience in chronological order: the Nina Simone tribute night with Dianne Reeves, Lizz Wright, Angelique Kidjo and Simone (Nina’s daughter). Guitar maestro George Benson is also coming by – I hope he will keep it straight-up jazzy and funky, and no slip into too smooth territory.
The second weekend brings the contemporary jazz offspring, by the names of Jamie Lidell, José James (with his Belgian buddy Jef Neve) and Jamie Cullum. Also worth noting are Rodrigo y Gabriela, Lady Linn, Briskey, and dj’s Born to Jazz and Christopher (of Beyondjazz fame).

It may not be the strongest or most diverse roster ever on this festival, but if the big shots deliver, it will be worth it! See you there …

The official website: http://www.gentjazz.com