festival info sought

[kenny weir]

As of next year, the Melbourne International Jazz Festival is becoming "Umbria Jazz In Melbourne".

I am seeking information about festivals, of the jazz variety or otherwise, that are umbrella events for larger, more famous festivals. I'm sure there are such beasts.

Where are they? (Newport? New Orleans? Austin? North Sea?)

Are they successful? What are the good aspects? What are the poor aspects? What has been the long and short-term effects on the local music/arts communities?

Any help with this appreciated.

[Pete C]

The North Sea Festival does one in Cape Town.

For a long time there was a Detroit-Montreux connection, and it was called the Ford-Montreux festival.

I think the Umbria-Melbourne connection could be good for getting Australian artists on the European festival circuit. Since North Sea started the Cape Town festival they've been booking a lot of South African artists for the main festival in Holland. Beyond that, I can't really offer any insights.

My problem with the Umbria Festival specifically is that they are very narrowly focused on straight-ahead, mostly American big-name artists.

[kenny weir]

Thanks - that's kind of info I was looking for.

[HenryMc]

Hey Kenny ...what say we organise an Australia hang for that Fest!! Keep us posted huh?Some of the 'feeelthy reeeech nortamericanos'may wish to make the trip down here

[kenny weir]

Henry, that's a deal.

Through the oz thread at AAJ I've actually offered hard-to-get motel space - and even freebie tickets - for Wangaratta to interested northern hemispehere types, but no takers so far.

I missed Wang last year so am primed for this one. As well as all the locals, there's Dave Liebman, of whom I'm relatively ignorant but am eager to hear - in many ways, he's the perfect booking for Wangaratta, big time but edgy and restless and adventurous. (I can almost certainly live with Tord Gustavsen ...)

Here in Melbourne, there is much apprehension about the festival and where and how it may be headed with the Umbria tie-in.