Jazz Hub comes to Loughton
Posted on 6th Sep 2023 by John Rosie
The National Jazz Archive was in the news this week promoting its new grassroots Jazz venue and additional research space in Loughton Library, Essex.
Interviewed by Jazzwise for its online magazine, the Archive's CEO and Chair of Trustees Mark Kass, launched his concept of national Jazz Hubs. The first of these will be opened in Loughton Library in October when more than 1200 square feet (over 110 square metres) of re-purposed office space will be made available as a space for a wide range of activities.
An ambitious vision for expanding Jazz in the UK as part of the Archive's commitment to 'working for the past, present and future of Jazz', Mark sees this facility as "a pilot for what could be a national network of physical local 'Jazz Hubs' ".
The design of this exciting new venture provides a small music venue, plus exhibition and gallery space, alongside a fundraising bookstall and dedicated research facilities for the National Jazz Archive. This will make the Archive more accessible to visitors and at the forefront of local activities in Loughton.
The opening of the Archive's Jazz Hub in mid-October coincides with Black History Month and a hotly anticipated fundraising concert by former Jazz Warrior bassist, Co-Founder of Tomorrow's Warriors and National Jazz Archive Patron Gary Crosby OBE when Gary and his sextet will be performing a tribute to the innovative Jazz composer, bassist, pianist and bandleader, Charles Mingus.
You can buy tickets for the Gary Crosby Sextet concert online, but remaining tickets are limited, so book early to avoid disappointment.
You can read more about the interview with Mark Kass and our exciting new plans on the Jazzwise website.