As the U.K gears up to celebrate the tenth year of Love Supreme this weekend, we step back to take a look at why this festival is so important to jazz music. 

Starting in 2013 as a humble festival with around 5,000 visitors, they wanted to showcase jazz music and the elements surrounding the culture at its heart. Their aim was never to be the biggest, loudest or most extravagant. Instead, their focus comes from one of love for jazz. Bringing in legendary musicians who have been responsible for the development of the culture, alongside up and coming artists from the U.K is what keeps Love Supreme moving forwards. 

Although Love Supreme has grown over the ten years by 500% and now caters up to 25,000 jazz enthusiasts. Its focus remains at its heart and the numbers are a reflection of a job well done and a thriving jazz scene in this country. 

Remember, Love Supreme stages have been graced by the best musicians in the world including Ms Lauryn Hill, Bryan Ferry, Nile Rogers, De La Soul, Eryka Badu, Gregory Porter, Van Morrison, Chaka Khan, The Jacksons, Herbie Hancock, Elvis Costello, and I’m really just scratching the surface. 

I spoke to Ciro Romano, the founder and festival director of Love Supreme to discuss what the festival means to him and how important it is to maintain a well thought out lineup every year. He tells us how they balance the main core elements of jazz at the festival's heart whilst mixing in a few mainstream acts for wider appeal. The larger headliners are always true to the culture though, you won’t see any random names here. 

Ciro explains how difficult it is to cater for a culture that spans such a wide audience. Jazz can be seen (heard) in so many genres of music these days that it would be too easy to slip into something diluted. He’s also very aware that their core audience will let them know if they stray too far from these elements, so it’s a constant balancing act, but one they embrace. 

Little Simz was a well considered decision for the festival, Ciro and the team knew that some of their regular festival goers would think she is too mainstream, but those that trust the festival will know they can believe in their choices. After all, Little Simz comes with a live band, brass section and let's face it, a full on show that we need to see more of in hip hop. As readers of Wordplay you probably know already that Simz will rock any headline spot deservedly, but you may not have considered the jazz elements to her music. The sampling of Ramsey Lewis, in her latest single Gorilla is a perfect example of how closely related hip hop and jazz are but also how in tune Simz is to the culture and why she is a perfect headliner. It also shows exactly why Love Supreme are pushing boundaries while continuously paying homage.

When asked about women headliners at festivals, a topic we hold dear at Wordplay.

‘I believe that we have it easier than most festivals due to the scene giving us more options with women in jazz music, but we’re not scared to have two women headlining the festival. In 2019 we had Ms Lauryn Hill and Gladys Knight headlining so this year isn’t the first time and I doubt it will be the last. Perhaps others think they won’t sell tickets unless they book Taylor Swift, we’re not scared to book two women headliners’ - he adds. 

‘Erykah was amazing last year, Gladys Knight was amazing and I know Grace Jones will be, she was incredible when she performed here a few years ago. ‘

‘I’m not defending other promoters but they don’t go out there looking to only book male headliners. They just want to sell tickets and purely follow numbers booking artists that they know are a safe choice. If the genre of music that the festival supports is male dominated then diversity in the lineup is very difficult. Take Download festival for example, when huge rock bands have male frontmen how do you diversify your line up? You have to remember that festivals are at the end of the musical food chain, which starts at the managers signing the artists, record labels putting money behind those artists to create music. The publishers, media, radio stations all helping those artists rise to the top, which is ultimately going to dictate what festival slots the artists get.’

We move the conversation on to where he sees it going in the next ten years and what’s to follow. They have just started Love Supreme Japan this year which has been a success in Tokyo featuring Domi & JD Beck, George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic and many others. This will continue and hopefully grow. 

In the U.K the future for the festival is to maintain what they have, keep the focus on what is true to jazz music and continue showcasing core elements alongside fresh new talent. Ciro spoke of hopefully adding a third headliner to the Friday night. Where currently they have an opening party, they now want to open the main stage for bigger acts and offer the full three day experience. 

To conclude, my experience talking with Ciro was refreshing. When you hear many toxic movements within our music industry it is reassuring to know that there are people like Ciro building festivals like Love Supreme for the right reasons. For the love of music, most importantly jazz music and the musicians involved, it is one of support and growth, a family within jazz and a gathering of like minded individuals spreading the same message. The message is love, a Love Supreme, and long may it last. 

There are still a few tickets available, but I wouldn’t wait any longer. Get your tickets today here.