THOUSANDS of music fans flocked to Upton-upon-Severn over the weekend for four days of world-class jazz.
Bands from across the world played to packed venues around the town at the 31st Upton-upon-Severn Jazz Festival.
A distinctly continental theme ran right through the weekend, with French bands Hot Antic, Hippocampus – mid-way through a European tour – and Montparnasse leading the all-star line-up.
From Dixieland to hot club, European to gipsy jazz, jive and swing to New Orleans trad, pubs, clubs and marquees were buzzing with fans old and young.
Highlights from the weekend’s 60 gigs included rocking boogie woogie sets from Carl Sinclair, resident at Jools Holland’s Jam House in Birmingham, and Red Stripe, who have played for five royal families and shared stages with Sting, Madonna and Van Morrison.
Sublime gipsy jazz came from Remi Harris while New Orleans Update, with 24-year-old Bristol vocalist Sinead McCabe, led the trad contingent.
Fans crammed in to the Dance@Upton marquee in the Festival Village to jive to the Duchess of Cambridge’s favourite London Swing Orchestra on Saturday night.
And up and coming talent was celebrated in the Best of Young Jazz venue, headlined by 19-year-old sax virtuoso Alexander Bone, who played on Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch programme the weekend before the festival.
He was joined by the Worcestershire Youth Jazz Orchestra and pupils from schools across the county, including Hanley Castle and Evesham High, who played to capacity crowds.
Stallholders selling everything from ukuleles to wood-fired pizzas and Hawaiian shirts to artisan crafts, lined the festival field and Upton’s riverside as riverboat shuffles aboard the Conway Castle entertained revellers.
A Mardi Gras-style parade, led by the irrepressible Second Line band, wove through the streets and a gospel-style jazz service on Sunday morning attracted hundreds of church-goers to the Parish Church.
Richard Kemp, who has come to the festival for six years, this year brought his wife and two young daughters to enjoy the spectacle.
“The music this year was better than ever before, the venues were buzzing and it’s just great to be able to sit in the sunshine and enjoy a beer,” he said.
Advance ticket sales were up for the event, which musical director Rachel Hayward puts down to the quality of bands.
“It’s been a brilliant festival,” she said.
“Everyone who was here commented on the quality and range of music, and the sun shone for most of it. And even Sunday’s rain didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits.
“We’re looking forward to next year already.”
