Jazz on a Summer’s Evening, the annual celebration concert of jazz and swing, has been a firm favourite amongst both performers and guests over the last 14 years. Last year’s remote concert, put together via our performers at home and streamed to the wider Bradfield community, proved a popular hit.
After a long residency in the marquee on Major, the desire to stage the event live and outdoors meant that for the first time the concert was staged in the Greek Theatre. The rain, just about, stayed away and a magical evening in this special venue was enjoyed by a large audience both live in the venue and at home via our livestream.
A particularly special moment was welcoming back last year’s Upper Sixth Leavers, who had not had the chance last summer to sign off their Bradfield music careers live and in the usual manner.
In addition, the programme featured superb performances from over 40 pupils, from the Shell to the Upper Sixth, culminating with an 18-piece Upper Sixth Soul Superband performing a rendition of That’s Life which rang out over the Berkshire countryside.
This year’s leavers were given memorable send-off tributes by Mr Etherington and the joy of the event was as vibrant as ever. As always, the concert also provided a fundraising opportunity with hampers and experiences available to bid on via a silent auction. This year’s chosen charity was Safeline and over £3,000 was raised. This provided a fitting tribute to Mrs Donnelly, who takes a well-earned retirement after co-organising the last 14 jazz concerts and coordinating our charitable partnerships.
