Mean Fiddler have announced two rather interesting new annual festivals based around their popular Jazz CafÈ venue. The Jazz CafÈ Picnic festivals will stage an eclectic mix of jazz inspired music at Kenwood House on London's Hampstead Heath and at Marble Hill House in Twickenham.
The first event, at Kenwood House, takes place on 11 Jul and will feature Anthony Hamilton, Amp Fiddler, nu-soul artist Dwele and DJ collaborative Blackalicious. The second event, at Marble Hill House, on 15 Aug will feature Zero 7, Nitin Sawhney, electro big band jazz combo the Matthew Herbert Big Band, Willis and BBC Radio 1 DJ Gilles Peterson.
Announcing the new festivals, Mean Fiddler Music Director Rob Hallett told reporters: "Every other big city in the world has these cool, jazzy events and we thought it's about time London did. It's going to be more sophisticated than the other festivals we do. I don't want to dis the Glastonbury and Reading crowd, but Jazz Cafe people are not the type who want to go and sleep in the mud for three days. We're hoping they'll come along with the family, have a picnic and a bottle of wine and a cool, civilised time."