Brecon Jazz Festival

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Brecon Jazz Festival is held on an annual basis in the rural surroundings of Brecon, in Powys, Wales. Normally staged during August, it is host to a range of jazz musicians who travel from across the world to take part.

During the weekend Brecon plays host to many visiting tourists who are attracted by the music, the social scene and the other leisure opportunities on offer in and around the Brecon Beacons.

The current festival manager is Jim Smith, and the festival is strongly supported by Rhodri Morgan, the First Minister of Wales. The 2006 festival was sponsored by HSBC.

[edit] Ticket information

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In the past, there have been three programmes of music over the jazz weekend.

Free music (formerly Street Music) is open to everyone. Traditionally the music from this programme was performed on the bandstand in the centre of Brecon and throughout the streets, which were closed off to traffic for the duration of the festival weekend. In 2006, due to legal and policing issues, the streets in the centre of Brecon were open to traffic. As a result, the free music was held in the park next-door to the 'Theatr Brycheiniog' and alongside the 'Watton Marquee'. Brecon Jazz festival received many complaints regarding this policy, and as a result the 2007 festival will feature street music.

With a large selection of events to pick and choose from (approximately 50 between Friday evening and Sunday night), The Stroller Programme of music requires the purchase of a stroller ticket. Acts in this programme are usually from the Welsh or British Jazz scene and perform in a variety of smaller indoor and larger outdoor venues. Stroller wristbands can be purchased for a single day or for the entire weekend at a slightly discounted rate. Children 14 & under are admitted free into stroller events as long as they are accompanied by at least one paying adult with a wristband. It is advisable to buy these prior to arrival at the festival to avoid disappointment. In the past the venue and times for the stroller music have been released on the Friday before the festival weekend.

Also available on the weekend itself are Open Air Tickets (formerly known as Family Tickets). These allow you entry to only the three outdoor stroller venues between midday and 6pm. These tickets are subject to availability, and will not be sold if the festival sells out of 'full' stroller tickets for the specific day. The advantage of these tickets is that they cost significantly less than the full stroller tickets, but children 14 and under are still allowed free entry with a paying adult.

The Concert Programme includes major acts with an international profile. Every concert on this programme requires an individual ticket. Prices range between £10 and £20 per person. In previous years there have been no discounts or concessions available for these events.

[edit] Accommodation

Camping is popular at the festival, there are two official sites open to ticket holders, and several independent sites around the Brecon area. Hotels and Bed & Breakfast are also available, but a high demand usually means that early booking is required.