Forum 2026
Correspondence from our readers this year
New Jazz Festival For Birmingham
Fiona Fraser writes: "I hope the following news of a brand new jazz festival for Birmingham (12 & 13 Feb 2026) will be of interest to you. Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (RBC) is to host a brand new jazz festival for Birmingham taking place over two days, 12-13 February 2026, across the multi-venue building. Eastside Jazz Festival will bring together internationally-renowned musicians with some of today’s most interesting and innovative talent, alongside grassroots promoters and exciting local and student musicians showcasing Birmingham’s thriving and creative jazz scene. Jeremy Price, Head of Jazz, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, said: “The brand new Eastside Jazz Festival aims to celebrate Birmingham’s ever-growing and diverse jazz scene and strengthen the city’s position as a European centre for contemporary jazz. It’s a two-day focus on year-round programming: alongside musicians of the highest calibre, and leading innovators in contemporary jazz, we’re also working with grassroots promoters Digbeth Jazz and showcasing RBC’s own graduates and students." [There are details of the Festival here, and we have added the dates to our list of UK Jazz Festivals here - Ed]
Traditional Jazz
In a recent conversation, the question came up about where and when the term 'Traditional Jazz' originated? Was it in the 1940s, or the 1950s at the time of the 'Jazz Revival' - it seems as though it was in the 1950s that the term was probably shortened to 'Trad Jazz' which is more commonly used today. Did Ken Colyer devotees possibly prefer the term 'New Orleans Jazz'? The film It's Trad, Dad! (you can watch it here) was released in 1962, which again suggests that the term might have started in the 1950s. The film signals the beginnings of Rock 'n Roll so things were changing then. Does anyone have more specific information?
Arts Council England Review
Chris Hodgkins tells us that The independent review of Arts Council England by Baroness Margaret Hodge has been published and can be seen here. Chris, who is Secretary to the All Party Parliamentary Jazz Group (APPJG) says : "The organisations who responded can be seen here. I could only spot three jazz organisations who responded - individuals are not disclosed. The Department Of Media, Culture and Sport states that: "This list is accurate to the best of our knowledge. These organisations were all invited to provide evidence through a variety of means. This, however, does not mean all attended and provided evidence." This is clearly nonsense as the Parliamentary Jazz Group submitted its response (here) through the consultation process and was not invited to give evidence or attend any meeting. I shall be making a full response early in the New Year." a response from MP Lisa Tandy, Secretary of State for DMCS, is here.