Stompin’ on the Quomps

Stompin’ on the Quomps Jazz Festival

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Christchurch, Dorset, United Kingdom
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Stompin’ on the Quomps Jazz Festival in the picturesque surroundings of Christchurch Quay

In the early 1990’s Christchurch Council Arts Officer, the late Suzette Sulley, conceived the idea of a community concert. With the involvement of the leader of the local big band Adrian Dwyer, the concept of hosting a community concert on Christchurch Band stand was born. In its formative years the event was part of Christchurch Regatta, sponsored by The Regent Centre, the audience comprising of a handful of people, and a dog . . . and dogs don’t like jazz. But very rapidly the event outgrew the regatta, becoming what is today one of the largest events of its kind on the South Coast of England.

Our History

2006

Small, But Perfectly Formed

In 2006 a small but dedicated committee took over the responsibility for running the event from the Regent Centre, and whilst remaining true to the original concept, have expanded the event year on year.

2007

5 Quality Bands Spanning Almost the Entire Genre of Jazz

By 2007 the number of bands performing was increased to five, and the event extended from mid-day through to 10pm, the event attracting 4-5,000 people.

2009

A Community Interest

By 2009, what had started out as a community concert, had truly come of age, and in June 2009 Stompin’ became one of the first not-for-profit entities to be registered with Companies House as a Community Interest Company – Stompin’ on the Quomps Community Interest Company number 06917549

2010

Stompin’ Becomes an ‘International Music Festival’

In 2010 we welcome our first ‘international’ band, the rather oddly-named Bazar Bizare, a Jazz, Soul, Funk band from Holland. 2010 also welcomed Jools Holland singer Louise Clare Marshall. 2010 – Stompin’ sponsors a workshop of music educators to investigate ways of getting more young people interested in playing Jazz.

2011

Stompin’ Sponsors the First Workshop.

In conjunction with the CODA music trust, Stompin’ is sponsoring the first music workshop designed to getting more young people interested in Jazz. Leading the workshop will be the acclaimed singer Louise Clare Marshall.

2012

No One Singing (In The Rain)

Shortly after it was announced that London had won the Olympics, Stompin’ on the Quomps decided to bring forward the date of the 2012 event. What the organisers could not have foreseen was the wettest spring and summer on record. With a site that was still waterlogged the organisers made the difficult decision to postpone the event to 15th September, by which time the weather gods had exacted their vengeance on the Country and it turned out to be a perfect day.

2013

‘The Best So Far’

The 19th Stompin’ on the Quomps was probably the most successful to date. Having appeased the weather gods, the whole of Quomps was absolutely packed with people, from toddlers through to nonagenarians, many bringing picnics, and all enjoying the fabulous weather.

2014

Partnerships Pays Dividends

Stompin’ on the Quomps partnered with Christchurch Round Table to increase donations from the audience by 91%. Subsequently Stompin’ presented Round Table with a cheque for £1,084.96. A further highlight of the event were performances by Dorset Youth Jazz Orchestra and Bournemouth University Big Band, organised in conjunction with Absolute Music.

2015

Staging An Event

Stompin’ on the Quomps 2015 marked a significant development in the events 21 year history with the introduction of a ‘festival-style’ stage and a line-array PA system, together providing the audience with a much improved view of performers, receiving universal praise.

Stompin’ on the Quomps

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