Andy from Merthyr Tydfil emailed about a band he's seen busking at Brecon Jazz:

"The comments about no vibe in the air at Brecon Jazz is quite right, except that I always wander around on the Friday night and come across a great little band busking in a shop doorway. I've bought CDs from them in the past and they really are great to listen to. Keep a look out for The Subterraneans this Friday. Oh, and by the way, why can't the organisers of Brecon Jazz give these boys a proper slot at the festival as they're better than some of the main acts?"

Lynn was disappointed with the 2004 atmosphere:

"Very disappointing atmosphere in 2004. The lack of the bandstand in the square meant that the Festival lost its focus. Instead of a happy atmosphere and sense of bonhomie the square became more threatening - just hoards of people out to drink themselves silly. If the problem was deemed to be noise, then why is it that just a little further up the street a juke box was playing outside a bar at a level of decibels no band could compete with? We won't be going this year - the heart is missing from the Festival. P.S. What happened to Bryan Corbett last year - fantastic young trumpeter shamefully neglected by the organisers? He's been a big draw at the George for a number of years - and was greatly missed in 2004."

Lesley has been going to Brecon Jazz since babyhood:

"As a great fan of Brecon Jazz (and have been going for 14 years and not missed one), I feel it is a great occasion to have a great laugh because you have music from the Root Doctors to Wayne Kantz, who is a supurb guitarist and inspired me to start. I am only 15 years old but my father, who is 40, has dragged me along every time and every time for the past few years, you see the drunken goths spewing everywhere and causing trouble, but the best bit about Brecon Jazz is the hog rolls on the weekend which is what I look forward to. As you can see, the first time I went I was one so I didn't really understand it but I do really enjoy it and would encourage every one to go - even if you don't like jazz - because there are a few artists who play more of a rock theme, like Wayne Krantz. He has a habbit of blowing the amps but it is a good laugh watching him."

As a Brecon festival goer of some 13 years I would agree with the comments regarding the widespread drinking in the streets. It's clear that 99% of these people couldn't name a jazz record to save their lives. Of course, that is no problem on its own, except that - as the evenings wear on and the rock/punk/hip-hop blares ever louder fom the pubs - the atmosphere of a good humoured jazz festival shifts into a slightly edgy,"who-are-you-looking-at" kind of vibe that does the town no favours. The streets are littered with bottles and cans while numerous (mainly) youngsters are throwing up over the pavements. Not a pretty sight.

Still, the music this year was as good as ever - Monty Alexander was superb, Kenny Barron (with the brilliant Kim Thompson on drums) sublime. Jane Monheit, Tommy Smith - superb stuff. Well done, Brecon - just keep an eye on the booze.

Andy from Cardiff emailed this response to one of the messages posted below:

"I don't understand Rob Steen's comments - if he doesn't want louts on the streets surely he should be pleased the festival has gone indoors? But I can't help feeling that fewer people on the streets means less of a buzz about the place."

"Concert highlights this year were the Monty Alexander Trio with superb swinging, ringing piano work by the leader, the Kenny Barron Quintet with fine solo work and wonderful interplay between the piano master and the young flautist and and equally young vibes player, and the 'master class' by duo Tommy Smith and Brian Kellock.

In the Stroller Programme, the gem was the Italian pianist Rossano Sportiello whilst the young band, the Bright Stars, revitalised the old jazz repertoire and Danny Moss and Jeannie Lamb showed that there are still sparkling veterans of jazz who have kept their vitality and faith with the core values of jazz.

On the downside, the Soul Bop Band blasted the ear drums to extinction on the beat and did little to show off their jazz chops negating everything that was positive in the Barron Group in the previous concert. Earlier the loud Lawrence Cottle Big Band had consistently drowned out star singer Claire Martin despite her valiant attempts to compete.

The reduced impact of the Festival in the Town Centre coupled with the earlier finish times for the open air venues and street music all tended to give the Festival a slightly flat feel compared to the past.

Overall the festival continued the gradual musical decline from the peak of 2002. Nevertheless the high standard of the supporting Welsh Groups gives much hope for the future and on a social and community scale the Festival left us all feeling on a high. Roll on 2005."

John R from Penicuik says he agrees with Rob Steen's comments (below):

"I was born and brought up near Brecon and, as a jazz fan, I travelled from Scotland to attend Brecon Jazz this year. It was not what I expected. There were two events going on. The streets were heaving with folk who were there just to get drunk. As Rob says, they literally treated this lovely town as a toilet. And - surprise! - they seemed to have no appreciation of jazz either. Brecon should dump the drinking festival. If it does, it can have a terrific jazz festival next year."

Chris Harding from Risca in South Wales has caught the Brecon Jazz bug:

"I loved the festival, it was my first time there. I only got a Saturday stroller and next year I will HAVE to go for the whole weekend. I'm still wearing my wristband, it isn't coming off any time soon!"

Janet Baker and Graham Baker from Raunds in Northamptonshire pick out their favourite moments:

"An excellent long weekend of fun and at times great music. Oustanding this year, Larry Coryell, John Abercombie, Don Coyremmi. The inspiring crowd pleasers Soulbop band, Tommy Smith's wonderful acoustic Sunday afternoon set and of course George Melly. Thanks to everyone who made it a wonderful and unique festival."

Rob Steen says:

" I think it is time to end this once a year pain in the neck. Just ask the real folks of Brecon - the ones who have to put up with the higher beer prices, the louts who treat brecon like a toilet. When it first started it was ok but why has it all gone indoors? They should do like the brecon show and have it on the watton playing fields. Well, that's my opinion anyway."

Richard Bertin was at the 2004 event but felt something was missing:

"Although I enjoyed myself at this year's event, it seems to be losing some of its sparkle - What's happened? Why has it changed? Please let me know."

Meirion Davies from Llanelli is worried about the festival's future:

"Every year for the last 6 years I have been attending Brecon Jazz and I have really enjoyed every day and evening but now I hear that this year's (2004) the street music stops at 8pm. It's a shame and it will mean the end."