Charity and jazz a success at The Cube - 20/07/11

The Cube, Birmingham’s newest landmark building, played host to some of the most prestigious names in jazz as part of the 27^th Birmingham International Jazz and Blues Festival.

The visitors who flocked to the jazz festival events held within The Cube were transported to the ‘deep south’ when the American artists performed. There was also be the opportunity to raise money for Birmingham Children’s Hospital from a raffle that included prizes of a signed CD by one of the artists that performed, free tickets for the Lady Sings the Blue’s event, the finale concert of the jazz festival, which took place at Botanical Gardens and a Birmingham Children’s Hospital teddy bear.

Neil Edginton, a director at The Cube, said: “It was a pleasure to be involved with Birmingham Jazz Festival and to have such fabulous artists performing at The Cube.

“The event was a great success. Up to 80 people attended each night, many staying for several hours to relax and enjoy the atmosphere as well as the music. We are looking forward to making it an annual event here at The Cube.”

The artists that performed at The Cube included Roy Forbes Quartet – a well-travelled artist whose repertoire is largely from the Great American Songbook, Greg Abate Quartet from Massachusetts was the lead alto with the Ray Charles Orchestra, and the Sandi Russell Quartet - an American jazz singer with a versatile and emotional vocal range.

Birmingham Children’s Hospital was also represented at the jazz event by YPAG – Young Persons Advisory Group who are a group of volunteers aged between 11 and 19, who helped sell the raffle tickets.

The Cube is an iconic development in the centre of Birmingham and includes state of the art offices, stunning apartments, opportunities for fine restaurants, waterside café bars and retail, a boutique hotel and spa, Marco Pierre White’s panoramic rooftop restaurant and a hi-tech automated car park which is the first of its kind in the UK.

The Cube is set to become Birmingham’s hottest tourist and leisure destination later this year when Hotel Indigo, Marco Pierre White’s Steakhouse Bar & Grill and the Club & Spa and the health club open for business.