A musical medley of jazz, folk and blues could take place in Swanage this autumn as the Swanage Jazz Festival organisers say they are looking to move the event to September, the month that usually hosts both the Swanage Folk Festival and the Swanage Blues Festival.
The Swanage Jazz Festival was postponed in 2020 due to Covid restrictions until the weekend of 8th to 11th July 2021, but now with continued uncertainty over hosting events at the beginning of the summer, the organisers are now looking to hold it later in the year and hope to confirm new dates soon.
The Simon Spillett Band was booked to play at The Mowlem as part of the Swanage Jazz Festival in 2020 but had to be cancelled due to coronavirus restrictions
“Looking to move it to mid-September”
The committee announced:
“Following a review, Swanage Jazz Festival committee has decided that the festival will not be taking place on 9th to 11th July this year. We are looking to move it to mid-September and will be making an announcement on or about 10th March.”
Swanage Blues Festival in March 2020, just before lockdown
“There’s a long way to go yet”
The Swanage Blues Festival usually takes place twice a year but last year the autumn festival was cancelled as well as the festival this March in 2021.
Plans are in place for the festival to go ahead on the weekend of 30th September to 3rd October 2021, but the Blues Festival organiser, well-known local musician, Steve Darrington posted on social media:
“We’re all hoping – the dates are in the festival calendar but there’s a long way to go yet. Probably best to keep an open mind and if you’re intent on booking, make sure you can get your money back if necessary.
“Any developments will be notified via email newsletters, and on the website and the Facebook page.”
Swanage Folk Festival in 2019
Could mark the start of a month of music festivals
Meanwhile, the Swanage Folk Festival is still scheduled for the weekend 10th to 12th September 2021, which could mark the start of a month of music festivals for the town.
With so many cancellations of events over the last year, a musical finale to 2021 may be just what’s needed to banish the blues!
