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11/06/2008

SJF  UPDATE AND INFORMATION PAGE

 

Since 5th June, we have been able to announce new information about our activities.

 

Please read below!

 

 

Future Prospects for SJF

 

SJF 2007 was rated by many as the best ever in musical terms.  Also, without exception, the audience and band members commented very favourably on the High Lodge facilities.  

 

Although there were enough jazz fans at the event to produce a warm ambience, unhappily, the attendance for this, the 10th SJF, was disappointing.  Our publicity was on an unprecedented scale, with a much wider and higher profile advertising campaign than in previous years, but this did not translate into the ticket sales we hoped for.  From feedback we have received, it appears that the location of the venue was the main reason for the reduced numbers.  Despite the many favourable comments about High Lodge, several of  those that did support us this year have told us they would not attend any future festival unless it is in, or very close to, Southwold.

 

This year's experience raises serious doubts about the viability of future SJF promotions if these are not to be held in or around the immediate Southwold area.

 

Against this background, we are not planning to organise a festival for 2008.  But this does not mean we have abandoned the SJF project, or any other initiatives to present the "Best of the East".  "We've recently made an inside inspection of the impressive new sports pavilion now nearing completion on Southwold  Common. While serious negotiations with the pavilion's management  committee (yet to be formed) cannot take place for some weeks, initial soundings suggest that that it would be a good, viable venue for our further jazz promotions.  All being well, we would hope to run  one or two 'one-nighters' to test the water for a full SJF in  September 2009."

 

So keep watching this web site, where we will post more info as things take shape.  If you wish to comment, please let us know, by email, or whatever other means you find most convenient.

 

 

 

Southwold Jazz Festival, why we moved for 2007

 

In the latter half of 2006, it became known that the owner of Southwold Pier desired to make alterations to the Beachcomber Suite which would have rendered that un-available to us.

 

We were left with a serious dilemma and the uncertainty continued into 2007.  In organising events such as ours, there is a lot of work to be done within a limited time span.  We had to seek a new venue in order to be sure of somewhere to stage the event, and several options were considered.

 

High Lodge, which has a very well organised and comfortable function suite, came out on top as being most suitable for a music event, and was also available within our financial constraints.  We are pleased that it appears most of you who attended  SJF 2007  found it to be a most enjoyable event and an excellent venue.

 

 

Best regards to all of our friends and supporters, from The SJF Steering Group