About Yoxfest
Yoxford is a small village in north east Suffolk known as “the garden of Suffolk”, with a population of about 600. The Arts Festival was founded in 2002 by the flautist Anna Noakes, the percussionist Gary Kettel, and early music enthusiast Ian Terry. The first festival was held in August 2003 followed by another five successful annual festivals.
The following report of the 2005 festival gives you a flavour of Yoxfest:
“The Yoxford Arts Festival was a tremendous artistic success with three world premieres of works by Karl Jenkins, Cecilia McDowall and Giles Swayne and concerts by world rated performers such as The New College Oxford Choir, the saxophonist, Nigel Hitchcock and the folk singer June Tabor and band.
Jazz was well represented with concerts by an amazing Simon Gardner Big Band, The Nigel Hitchcock Quartet, Orquestra Mahatma – a quartet playing jazz from Bulgaria, the Middle East, South Africa and Venezuela.
The Scratch Orchestra, directed by Anna Noakes, performed in the Church followed by a concert by the world ranking Tetra Guitar Quartet.
Other events included Martin Newell, the performance poet; an historical ramble around Yoxford; a history lunch at Satis House, a literary lunch at Pistachios and an evening of Spanish Music and Dancing at the Griffin. A Jive Workshop prepared participants for “Elvis” and his Band in the Village Hall. Rock & Roll and Folk Music in the Griffin, an Arts Video evening at G26, a lecture by Wiz Jones and Painting in the Garden at the Old Vicarage, a Variety Show of local talent at the village Hall, eleven art exhibitions, master classes and art, dance and music workshops for children completed an eclectic range of events for 2005”.
Other events included Martin Newell, the performance poet; an historical ramble around Yoxford; a history lunch at Satis House, a literary lunch at Pistachios and an evening of Spanish Music and Dancing at the Griffin. A Jive Workshop prepared participants for “Elvis” and his Band in the Village Hall. Rock & Roll and Folk Music in the Griffin, an Arts Video evening at G26, a lecture by Wiz Jones and Painting in the Garden at the Old Vicarage, a Variety Show of local talent at the village Hall, eleven art exhibitions, master classes and art, dance and music workshops for children completed an eclectic range of events for 2005”.
Once again The Frank Ricotti All Stars – a star studded band of top jazz musicians gave a delightful concert.
Two classical concerts by the Festival Ensemble with Caroline Palmer, piano; Catherine Bott, soprano and Jonathan Williams, principal horn, Chamber Orchestra of Europe: The choir of New College Oxford under the directorship of Edward Higginbottom with Karl Jenkins and his wife at the piano.
Anna Noakes, flute and Gabriella D’allOlio, harp delighted us all with their performances in the magnificent surroundings of Cockfield Hall.
Two classical concerts by the Festival Ensemble with Caroline Palmer, piano; Catherine Bott, soprano and Jonathan Williams, principal horn, Chamber Orchestra of Europe: The choir of New College Oxford under the directorship of Edward Higginbottom with Karl Jenkins and his wife at the piano.
Anna Noakes, flute and Gabriella D’allOlio, harp delighted us all with their performances in the magnificent surroundings of Cockfield Hall.
The actor Clive Merrison having a drink with the composer Karl Jenkins
The Yoxford Arts Festival was a tremendous artistic success ..........
“A unique and truly community event” BBC 3
Anna Noakes with Gabriella D’all Olio at Cockfield Hall
The Choir of New College Oxford conducted by Edward Higginbottom with saxophonist
Nigel Hitchcock