Most important jazz venue named

The Concorde Club in Hampshire has hit the right note with fans

A club which has been open for more than 50 years has been voted one of the UK's most important live jazz venues in a poll of music lovers.

The Concorde Club in Hampshire, receives a (Kind Of) blue plaque named to mark the 50th anniversary of Miles Davis' seminal album Kind Of Blue.

The Brecon Jazz Festival invited music lovers to nominate British venues.

The Band On The Wall in Manchester was in second place, while Ronnie Scott's in London was third.

The Concorde Club, in Eastleigh, has been playing jazz since 1957, and has been run by Cole Mathieson for 53 years.

It has played host to many leading jazz figures including Tubby Hayes, Coleman Hawkins, Humphrey Lyttleton, Acker Bilk, and Ben Webster.

'Jazz flame'

The Concorde Club owner's Mr Mathieson said: "I am delighted that British jazz fans have chosen The Concorde Club to receive the first (Kind Of) Blue Plaque.

"For over half a century we have kept the jazz flame burning brightly and would like to thank fans, jazz lovers from across the UK and, of course, the Brecon Jazz Festival, for granting us this honour."

The producer of Brecon Jazz, Peter Florence, said he and fellow festival officials were "astounded" by the level of interest in the search for significant British jazz venues.

He added: "Though jazz finds its origins in US and African traditions, it was important that we were able to show just how the British had embraced and supported this unique musical style.

"We look forward to celebrating more British jazz venues in 2010."

The Concorde Club will receive its plaque next year.

Earlier in the week Brecon Jazz officials revealed that Buckingham Palace had been included on its shortlist of venues.

Jazz legends Louis Armstrong and Sidney Bechet played at Buckingham Palace during royal command performances for George V between 1919 and 1932.