Jazz fest to celebrate 25th anniversary

A bevy of jazz musicians from all over the world are headed for Worcestershire to celebrate the 25th incarnation of the Upton-upon-Severn Jazz Festival.

Scheduled for the last weekend of June - starting Friday, 26 June to Sunday on the 27th - organisers of the massively popular gathering are guaranteeing a show full of world-class performers.

Over 50 acts will be playing live performances in the course of the three-day event, whose highlights include a performance by vocalist Claire Martin together with legendary jazz musician Sir Richard Bennett as well as the finalists and winners of the 2009 British Jazz Awards.

Sir Bennett, who has received nominations for the Academy Awards, is famous for his compositions on such films as ‘Four Weddings and a Funeral’ and ‘Far from the Madding Crowd’.

Up-and-coming British Jazz Awards star Amy Roberts, trombonist Mark Nightingale, and Tenor saxophonist Karen Sharp offer a contemporary twist to this year’s festival.

Like before, a strong line-up of performers from the Continent will be present, which include Germany’s The Bourbon Street Stompers, old-time favourites Lamarotte from Holland, and fresh acts such as Denmark’s Mike Owen and the Woodland Jazz Band.

King Pleasure and the Biscuit Boys offer their unique mix of blues and Kansas City jazz, while the Carl Sinclair Boogie Band show of their ragtime beats and the Pete Allen Jazz Band offer a more traditional round of jazz for the festivities.

Tickets are priced at around £20 to £30 for a single day’s pass, and as much as £60 for a full-weekend ticket. Children below 14 have free entry, while parking and onsite camping is free.

http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/local/8179573.Festival___s_feast_of_talent_for_its_25th_birthday/