A bigger and better Ribble Valley Jazz Festival

Following the success of last year’s inaugural festival, this year’s is bigger and better, with 25 events taking place at nine venues across the town.

Clive Greenwood, chairman of organising body Ribble Valley Jazz and Blues, said: “Feedback from those attending the 2010 festival was overwhelming and gave us encouragement to stage another festival this year.

“There is a wide range of live music, with styles ranging from a fusion of jazz with classical music, to contemporary jazz, to well known jazz classics, to a unique piano summit.”

The festival kicks off straight after the big screen showing of the royal wedding at The Grand, in York Street, with festival president Eric Ainsworth and guests, and is followed by a unique gathering of seven of the top UK jazz musicians all together for a once-in-a-lifetime jazz jam session.

From then on it’s jazz all the way through to Bank Holiday Monday, culminating in the King Pleasure and the Biscuit Boys dance party at The Grand at 2 p.m. on Monday.

Over the four days the superb setting of The Atrium in Clitheroe Castle also sees popular evening jazz group gigs, as well as a saxophone workshop, and some lunchtime jazz gigs.

Saturday morning sees live jazz at various outdoor locations in the town, followed by live jazz throughout the weekend from a number of top quality artists at cafés and pubs across the town, and at St Mary’s church in aid of the steeple fund.

Free brochures giving all details, and tickets for all events, are available from the Grand, on 01200 421599.

Details of events can also be found online at: www.rvjazzand blues.co.uk

l Winner of our recent competition for a pair of tickets for the King Pleasure and the Biscuit Boys dance party was Veronica Hargreaves, of Whinney Lane, Langho.