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After getting a pass to the first Jazz Café Festival two years ago, I was waiting for the day I would get to hit Burgess Park again.
Whilst I didn't get a pass this year, I still wanted to go off the line-up alone, something I rarely do these days. But considering I didn't get a pass, your boy cooked and got some good stuff!
Whilst I have gotten in the habit of capturing the people, I didn't do so here because – put simply – I was there for the music. I only cover the people because it's typically part of my brief.
My personal brief is always to get the artists because that's who I'm there for.
But I will say, there was some TALENT for this one, you're just going to have to take my word for it!
I got in right on time for the first act I wanted to hit: Amaria on the Parkway Stage.
Something that really jarred me throughout the day were two things. The first was this main stage. Why was it so large but seemed so bare?
Maybe it’s because I rarely have gotten the opportunity to be so close to the front of a main stage in the festivals I’ve hit this year but the stage looked so skeletal. Scaffolding isn’t sexy, nor is it photogenic!
On the flipside, the 2nd stage – The Plant Room – is one of the best stages I’ve been to aesthetically and we go there next in the middle of a set from an artist we briefly saw @ Cross The Tracks this year: Goya Gumbani.
The 2nd thing that jarred me – and this isn’t all the festivals fault – is how DUSTY this festival was! The UK has gone through a ton of drought this summer and the parks are taking a significant hit.
With The Plant Room being built in the style of a greenhouse, the dust and dead grass was literally floating in the air. Add people moving around and you got yourself a breathing hazard.
Lucky I remembered later in the day that I had a mask in my bag!
The festival should take notes for future editions because nobody like dust devils and floating dirt.
Anyways, we stay in The Plant Room for another act I caught @ Cross The Tracks this year: Namesbliss.
There was actually four stages during this festival but because I didn’t have a pass, I didn’t feel the need to hit the other two, instead staying in The Plant Room once more for the third act in a row: Rubii.
Something that was very underrated about this day for me was the trip to Burgess Park. I walked there from London Bridge at a leisurely pace. The weather was beautiful and the walk over was very nice, to the point I was considering getting my camera out for the walk itself!
I refrained because I was eating on the way and wanted to be on time for Amaria but maybe I'll replicate the route someday.
We finally leave the sauna that was The Plant Room and head back to the meh-looking Parkway Stage for Jaz Karis who I have covered as part of a Global Soul Showcase years ago.
The next act is one that I have been wanting to see and cover for years. Honestly, if I made a list of artists I want to cover, he’d probably be in the top 10.
Amongst a capacity crowd in The Plant Room was Kofi Stone.
He brought out Rubii & D Double E, the latter got everyone hyped as you’d imagine. Even more motivation to cover a show of his one day.
We head back to Parkway for the last two performances, funny enough I got a better view of the headline act than the act before.
Kicking off my final two as the Sun went down was Greentea Peng.
If anyone knows the history of that block that overlooks the park I’d love to know. Looked amazing as the sunset was hitting. The Shard deep in the back as well, beautiful.
Anyways, we finish with an artist I’ve been really wanting to cover, headlining The Jazz Café Festival: Ari Lennox.
What a beautiful woman. Vocals, aesthetic, outstanding.
The way home was interesting as I caught a rare bus ride to London Bridge. I should take the bus with my camera in hand sometime, see what I get. I remember catching some shots last time I went to this festival and liked what I was getting.
But that was The Jazz Festival through my lens! I saw all the artists I wanted to see and apart from the crazy dust everywhere, it was an enjoyable experience.
Maybe a pass next time…?
Charlie Taylor
chillicharlie.taylor@gmail.com
Born in Camden, North London.
Bred in Leigh-On-Sea, Essex.
Screenwriter/Podcaster/Photographer/
Hip-Hop Student.