Jazz legend Val Wiseman to perform in West Bromwich
It will be a true homecoming for jazz legend Val Wiseman as she performs her Lady Sings the Blues tribute to Billie Holiday in West Bromwich next month.
Val is returning to the area for a concert at Central Library on Saturday, July 21, as part of the Birmingham, Solihull and Sandwell Jazz Festival.
She will be joined by Digby Fairweather on trumpet, Roy Williams on trombone and bassist Len Skeat. Pianist Brian Dee, saxophonist/clarinettist Alan Barnes and drummer Eric Ford complete the experienced and talented line-up.
West Bromwich-born Val got her first taste of show business dancing in a talent show at Dartmouth Park, at the age of just four. At 18, she joined the West Side Jazz Band which had a residency at the old Dartmouth Hotel. A year after joining the West Side Jazz Band as a singer, Val joined Birmingham's Second City Jazzmen. At 21, she left for London to become a vocalist with the legendary Monty Sunshine and his band.
She said: "I was born and raised in West Bromwich and I am absolutely thrilled to be invited to perform in my home town where I launched my singing career. Throughout my life I have retained many happy memories of growing up in West Bromwich."
Remembering the Dartmouth Park talent show, she added: "I was supposed to be reciting a poem, but once on stage I decided to dance instead.
“I went on to develop an interest in art and jazz, attending classes at Ryland Memorial Art School near the library and joining a jazz appreciation society run by our art teacher at Cronehills Technical School.”
Tickets for the Lady Sings the Blues: The Homecoming are available from Central Library, in High Street, and by visiting www.sandwell.gov.uk/ladysingstheblues.
Sandwell is an official partner in the jazz festival for the second year running, with more than 30 events across the six towns between July 20 and July 29. International artists from America, Canada, France, Hungary and Spain will be joining a host of homegrown talent.
Councillor Steve Trow, Sandwell Council's cabinet member for culture and core council services, added: "It’s a fantastic opportunity for people from Sandwell and the rest of the Black Country to get involved in an international music festival and enjoy jazz music right on their doorstep.
“Like last year, we have events in each of Sandwell’s six towns, including at our libraries, museums, parks and Sandwell Arts Café. We can guarantee a warm welcome to everyone attending events in Sandwell during this year’s festival.”
For more information about the events, visit www.birminghamjazzfestival.co.uk.
