EARLY-BIRD tickets are now on sale for one of the brightest music festivals in the region.
Discounted advance tickets for the Upton Jazz Festival, which takes place at the end of June, can be snapped up until Sunday, April 30.
The star-studded line-up includes the world-famous Jive Aces, dance legends The Temperance Seven and the sublime Craig Milverton Trio along with gipsy jazz aficionado Remi Harris.
They are joined by Mumbo Jumbo, La Vie En Rose, Moscow Drug Club and – back by popular demand – the Swing Commanders and Strumpit.
An international contingent counts Bent Persson, from Sweden, and Switzerland’s Thomas Winteler among its number, along with The Revivalists Jazz Band from the Netherlands and many others.
The festival, which has featured on ITV’s Good Morning Britain and is now in its 32nd year, takes place from June 22-25.
Thousands of jazz hands flock to the riverside town to soak up four days of world-class jazz, craft ales and ciders and artisan food served by dozens of stallholders.
A festival village springs up on the town’s sports field, with camping facilities, a festival bar and music venues, including a dance marquee where swing and jive lessons will take place all weekend.
There’s also the Best of Young Jazz programme, which celebrates the rising stars of the jazz world and last year featured on Channel 4’s Sunday Breakfast.
Musical director Rachel Hayward said: “This year’s line-up is a cracker.
“From European to gipsy jazz, hot club to traditional, New Orleans to jive and swing, there’s a genre to suit everyone.
“We’re looking forward to four days of incredible music and sunshine to lead us into summer and we can’t wait to welcome you all.”
Weekend tickets for the family-friendly festival cost £70, Friday day tickets are £25, Saturday £35 and Sunday £30, until April 30.
After that day ticket prices rise by £5 and weekend passes by £10.
Four-night camping and caravanning tickets cost £35 for jazz ticket holders only.
To book tickets visit www.uptonjazz.co.uk.
