For one night and one night only, The Fife Jazz Festival lit up the recently reopened Byre
Theatre. The late night live music event, The Blender, featured many talented musicians mixing
up some jazz, funk, soul, and fusion. Saxophones, big basses, guitars, pianos and more echoed
throughout three venues in the Byre! The rhythms and blues “filled my bones and I got those
dancing shoes and I sang my lonely blues.” M&M Radio brings you the behind the scenes
review of this hopefully annual event.
The night started with The Foo Birds, a lively funk band hailing from Edinburgh. They got the
crowd moving a grooving to their upbeat songs and covers. Later on, the Gus Stirrat Band, Nick
Pride and the Pimptones, Fat Suit, and St Andrews Jazz Fusion all gave stellar performances.
Before the night began, the M&M team was skeptical of the event’s jazz title, but all of the bands
wiped away the preconceived notions of what the genre stands for. The groovy tunes and
irresistible beats, make it impossible to resist dancing along!
M&M’s personal favorite of the night was rising star, AJ Brown. AJ grew up in Halifax,
although he himself says, “Home is where the heart is.” Last night St Andrews was his home as
he threw his heart and soul into his performance at the Byre, as he put smiles on every guest’s
face and left them wanting more. His music draws listeners in with its up-beat tempo, rocking
rhythms, catchy lyrics. The band’s candid smiles created a happy, relaxing atmosphere for all to
enjoy.
With Maddie’s role on the PR and marketing team, M&M radio was lucky enough to get an
interview with AJ after his show. Although nervous to conduct their first interview, the M&M
duo quickly settled in and their quintessential laughter commenced. Both girls are musicians
themselves and wondered how AJ got his start. Brown comes from a musical family and at the
young age of eleven picked up the saxophone after trying his hand at the clarinet in a woodwind
trial week in school. He started lessons soon after and now performs with confidence, passion,
and skill. Sax, however, is not his only weapon. He also has a stellar voice. Although he has
been singing his whole life
, he did not start focusing on it until six years ago. But that has not
stopped him from progressing with all due speed and showing the world his magnificent voice.
After discussing his past, M&M Radio was eager to know about AJ’s future. They were excited
to hear that he is headed off to South Africa for a five-week tour in March before hitting up the
festival scene in Europe this summer. He told the duo that he’d love to come back to St Andrews
if the opportunity arises. As Clare Teal, Presenter and Vocalist from BBC Radio 2 states, AJ is
“a shiny new star – great voice, great guy – catch him while you can!” M&M Radio sure hopes
he comes back to the Bubble soon!
Tune in to M&M Radio, Thursday nights at 8pm (GMT) to hear great music, good banter, and
new tunes from AJ Brown.
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