The Jazz Rag

14/07/2025

Send your CV and cover letter to [email protected]
See the link below for the full job description.

📢 JOB VACANCY 📢
Big Bear Music and Birmingham Jazz & Blues Festival are recruiting for a full time, permanent staff member to support all areas of the company’s administration and marketing.
Send your CV and cover letter to [email protected]
A full job description is available here:https://www.bigbearmusic.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/Big-Bear-Music-Group-Project-Coordinator-Job-Description.pdf

12/05/2025

The 2025 Spring Edition of The Jazz Rag is available to order online! Here's what's in store:
I Get A Kick Out Of…. Featuring agent and promoter Ina Dittke.
A celebration of the life of Tony Kinsey.
Digby Fairweather on Bill Ashton.
Ron Simpson interviews Lynne Gornall and Roger Cannon of Brecon Jazz Festival and the changes they have undergone in recent years.
Scott Yanow takes an oblique look on Jazz and The US Presidents.
The Brazilian singer/pianist Eliane Elias answer’s Ron Simpson’s questions.
And the usual abundance of CD, book and live performance reviews.

Head over to www.bigbearmusic.com/jazzrag and get your 6 issue subscription or single issue today!

27/02/2025

THE WINTER 2025 ISSUE OF THE JAZZ RAG OUT NOW!

The latest edition of The Jazz Rag comes once again packed with jazz-based news, reviews and features with the late Sugar Pie Desanto presented on the cover along with personal recall on the one-of-a-kind blues singer from Jim Simpson.

Here's what else to look forward to:

A must visit list of Jazz focused locations
Mike Underdown takes the hot seat in 'I Get A Kick Out Of....'
A celebration of the music and life of Martin Hummel of Ubuntu Records
Digby Fairweather on jazz patron saint Louis Armstrong
Ron Simpson on the annual Fest Jazz in Chateauneuf-Du-Faou which celebrates it's 20th anniversary
Tribute to the Wim and Ria Wigt and 50 years of Timeless Records
Scott Yanow on Jazz Class of 1925
Reflection on the career of the great alto saxist Lou Donaldson
And a profusion of album reviews

Order your copy or six-issue subscription now!
https://www.bigbearmusic.com/jazzrag/current-edition/

23/01/2025

This July, Hot Jazz will be ringing throughout Brittany!

Boasting a impressive line-up brimming with Jazz Giants such as Tuba Skinny, Gunhild Carling, Eva Fernández and Ladyva, Fest Jazz is a mustn't miss for any Jazz enthusiast!

Top class entertainment in beautiful surroundings, with even better food and wine!

Book your tickets today: https://www.fest-jazz.com/

06/12/2024

Issue #183 of Britain's brightest and most informative Jazz publication is out now and on it's way to our loyal subscribers!

Here's what's in store for the final Jazz Rag of 2024:
Legendary record label Mosaic Records enters its fifth decade
Elaine Delmar answers the questions in “I Get A Kick Out Of…”
The mysteries of Glenn Miller are investigated by Detective Ron Simpson
Legendary producer Quincy Jones is remembered, focussing on his jazz background
Frank Griffith honours the greatly missed Hep Records boss, Alastair Robertson
Ron Simpson recalls the forgotten man of jazz Frank Newton
Roger Coterrell pays tribute to the great vibraphonist Marjorie Hyams
Scott Yanow’s account of Monterey Jazz Festival
Lightnin’ Slim features in Henry’s Bluesletter
And the usual selection of CD, book and live performance reviews.

Head over to our website and treat that special Jazz Nut in your life (or yourself!) by ordering a copy or a six issue subscription to The Jazz Rag.

Please note that due to Royal Mail price increases on postage, we have been forced to follow suit and increase the rates of our cover price and six issue subscription from 1st January, 2025 onwards:

Cover Price:
£4.50
Subscription Rates:
£24.50 for UK
£39.00 for Europe
£49.00 for Rest Of The World

Any orders made before 1st January will be honoured at the original rates, so don't delay!

https://www.bigbearmusic.com/jazzrag/current-edition/

08/10/2024

The new issue of the nation's favourite Jazz publication is out now!
Here's what to expect:
Digby Fairweather pays tribute to vibraphonist Terry Gibbs
Carlos Maldonado talks Latin Jazz to Norman Darwen
Ross Lorraine responds to Ron Simpson's questions
Scott Yanow explores 16 jazzers who recorded pre-1950
Ron Simpson probes the musical life of James P. Johnson
Jim Simpson explores the career of Jimi Hendrix
And the regular plethora of CD, book and live performance reviews.

Head over to our website to order your copy or your six issue subscription!
https://www.bigbearmusic.com/jazzrag/current-edition/

13/05/2024

Issue #180 of The Jazz Rag is ready to order!

Here's what's in store:
Introducing The Swing Cats from Barcelona, who will be embarking on a UK tour this July, including performances at The Stables MK, Peggy's Skylight, The Concorde Club, Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival and The Birmingham Jazz & Blues Festival.
Jim Simpson pays truibute to jazz’s next centenarian Marshall Allen.
Ron Simpson chats to rising piano star, Sullivan Fortner
Pete Lay answers the questions in “I Get A Kick…”
Peter Vacher remembers legendary vocalist and saxophonist Vi Redd.

Order your copy for just £3.95 or 6 issue subscription for only £21.
https://www.bigbearmusic.com/jazzrag/current-edition/

04/04/2024

We come to you with a plea for help in preserving a most important event: … Jim Simpson needs your support for Save the 40th Birmingham Jazz & Blues Festival!

26/03/2024

Looking for essential reading this Easter Bank Holiday? Well The Jazz Rag have you sorted!

Here's what to expect:
Ron Simpson interviews the master-guitarist, Jim Mullen
Mike Gordon, long time supremo of Scarborough Jazz Festival, takes the hotseat in “I Get A Kick…”
Jim Simpson pays tribute to the trombone giant Bill Allred.
Peter Vacher on the wizardry of record restoration
Ron Simpson pays a visit to Birmingham’s finest record stores, The Diskery
And the regular plethora of CD, book and live perfomance reviews.

Get your copy of issue 179 or your 6 issue subscription today!
https://www.bigbearmusic.com/jazzrag/

04/12/2023

The winter edition of the award winning Jazz Rag is now available to order!

In this issue:
Ron Simpson visits The Music Inn, one of Nottingham's oldest music shops
Caesar Frasier - 50 years on
The return of Southport Jazz Festival
An abundance of festival recaps, including Monterey Jazz Festival, Classic Jazz Party, Angrajazz and Scarborough Jazz Festival.
And the usual feast of CD and live perfomance reviews.

The A4 glossy, colour, 36 page magazine retails at £3.95.
Subscription rates
£21.00 for UK
£35.00 for Europe
£43.50 for Rest Of The World

Head over to https://www.bigbearmusic.com/jazzrag/ to get your copy or six issue subsciption!

For more information, contact Jim Simpson on 0121 454 7020 or by email at [email protected]

11/10/2023

Over a career spanning more than 25 years, award winning jazz guitarist Nigel Price has become widely acknowledged as one of the hardest working musicians in the business.

Musically, his blend of flowing bebop lines, deep blues sensibility and his mastery of chording continue to delight audiences and fellow musicians alike. His career highlights include a support show for Gladys Knight at The Royal Albert Hall and an appearance on Van Morrison’s recent album Keep Me Singing.

Catch him in a town near you on his UK tour with Ross Stanley - organ, Joel Barford - drums & Special Guests Lorne Lofsky, Libor Smoldas, Laura Klain, Winston Clifford, Ashley John Long, Liam Dunachie, Jim Watson, Darren Beckett, Tom Ball Trio and Vasilis Xenopoulos