ONE OF the biggest music festivals in the region is expanding this summer to celebrate its 30th birthday.
For the first time, organisers of June’s Upton-upon-Severn Jazz Festival are laying on music over four, rather than three days.
The thousands of campers and caravanners who turn up early to book their pitches will be treated to a special Thursday night session which will take place ahead of the festival’s usual Friday, Saturday and Sunday gigs
The extension of the festival, which will take place between June 25 and June 28, is the brainchild of musical director Rachel Hayward, who took over the top job last year.
She said: “We just thought it would be really nice to do something else for the campers, in addition to the music we already offer.
“It dawned on me last year as we’ve got all these people turning up on the Thursday, we have got all the marquees up by then and it’s not going to cost us anything apart from the cost of the bands, so it’d be a great thing to do for them.
“And we’re not going to charge them any more, of course.”
Two Thursday night sessions will take place at Jazz City – the festival village adjacent to the campsite in the heart of the riverside town.
Rachel’s own band, Hotsy Totsy – a Boswell sisters-style harmony group – will entertain the early birds, along with New Orleans revival seven-piece, New Orleans Heat.
The Thursday sessions will be followed by a glittering weekend of stars, including Sammy Rimington, Chris Barber favourite Amy Roberts and British Jazz Award-winners like Alan Barnes.
As well as a mixture of New Orleans, European, modern and gypsy jazz, music fans can jump-jive to renowned bands including Alligator Gumbo and the Swing Commanders.
They form part of the hugely successful dance section, led by ex-UK Lindyhop champions James and Bridget Hamilton, which sees lessons take place throughout the weekend and marquees with proper dance floors.
As well as 60 gigs across ten venues, music-lovers can expect a dazzling Mardi Gras carnival parade, gospel church service and riverboat shuffles aboard party boat the Conway Castle.
Tickets cost from £28 at www.uptonjazz.co.uk or 01684 593254, while children under 14 can go free.
