Bamzu are holding events to promote jazz, funk and hip-hop music styles as they feel this is something lacking in Cardiff
Bamzu is a new collective run by musicians that launched last month who want to promote jazz, funk and hip-hop music styles through free events in Cardiff.
The collective want to showcase local bands who specialise in those particular music styles as they feel this is lacking from the Cardiff music scene.
Their first event is a Jazz Jam being held at Blue Honey Local in Roath on 23 November and promises a set from the house band before a two-hour jam session where they invite anyone to come and play.
The event is free to attend but Bamzu encourage everyone to support the local musicians through a donation bucket so that they can keep putting on events.
The collective was launched by graduates from the jazz course at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama because they felt there was a need for crossover genre events that allowed for a standing audience.
Jake Williams, 25, an ambassador for the collective, said: “A lot of our friends play in bands that play creative music that crosses over music genre boundaries, so we wanted to start putting on events that showcase local bands who want to play somewhere that people can dance and drink till late.
“There are only a few places in Cardiff that put on regular events showcasing this new generation of jazz, and as a collective we want to be able to give the bands that play a good fee, because as musicians ourselves we understand the importance of this.”
He continued to discuss their upcoming event at Blue Honey Local, saying they are so privileged to have the space to run what they hope will be a great event that will bring the Cardiff jazz scene a more vibrant and inclusive vibe.
The increasing popularity of these music genres is evident, for example Spotify reported that 40% of jazz listening on their streaming service is done by people under 30 and listeners of the genre have gone up year on year since 2016. There is a desire for live events of this music genre, and with Bamzu offering this and more there is definitely a place for it.
More information about the event at Blue Honey Local on 23 November can be found online, Bamzu are also hosting a second event on the 27 November at Tiny Rebel featuring a jazz funk trio and a live hip-hop jam.