A NUMBER of new venues have been confirmed for the 33rd Upton Jazz Festival which takes place later this month.
The popular event, which runs from June 21 to June 24, is moving back into town after more than two decades away from the historic centre, first when it moved to marquees on Fish Meadow and latterly to the sports field.
Upton Memorial Hall, the King’s Head and Swan pubs as well as the Star Hotel will host some of the festival’s fifty-plus gigs, along with the parish church and the Boathouse on the riverside.
And jazz will also ring out once again from the festival’s unique Under The Bridge venue so ticket-holders can sit by the River Severn to enjoy the music.
Musical director Rachel Hayward said the new venues would add to the festival’s buzzing atmosphere, which promises a dazzling New Orleans-style parade of jazz fans dancing with decorated umbrellas as well as a lively new fringe festival featuring up-and-coming and established artists from across the country.
“Feedback from last year steered us in this direction,” said Rachel, who plays guitar, vibes and banjo with the Saratoga Club Orchestra.
“We knew it would be good for the town and for the jazz, the atmosphere would be even better, the town would be full and we’d attract new and younger people to the event.”
This year’s line-up includes more than a dozen bands new to the weekend as well as a raft of festival favourites including Bev Pegg and British Jazz Award-winners Alan Barnes, Amy Roberts and Craig Milverton.
New faces include Paris-based Mama Shakers, BBC favourites The Basin Street Brawlers, Tom Bell with his boogie-woogie piano, guitar wizard Madi Stimpson and the Django Reinhardt-inspired Fret & Fiddle.
The international contingent is led by Jazz Connection, from Holland, Keith Nichols and his Ragamuffins, some of whom hail from Australia, and James Evans fresh from New Orleans.
In addition, the Best of Young Jazz, which celebrates the rising stars of the jazz world through a year-long outreach programme in schools, colleges and conservatoires, will see talented youngsters play in a bespoke venue at the back of Panes Garage.
“Everything is in place, from the bands to the security, the camp site to the stewards, and we can’t wait for it to get under way,” added Rachel.
“Everyone’s genuinely excited about the new format, and we’re confident it’s going to be a huge success. Roll on June 21.
“It’s going to be a terrific weekend of music.”
Visit www.uptonjazz.co.uk to buy tickets.
