VENUES around Morecambe and Lancaster will come alive to the sound of jazz music from tomorrow (Thursday) until Sunday, August 24.
With a varied programme of acts lined up to play the district, organisers of the 10th annual jazz festival are urging people to buy tickets now, as there's not long to go.
Run for Lancaster City Council by arts development officer Euan Smith, the
festival will feature sets from famous saxophonist Courtney Pine, Andy Schofield and Les Chisnall and Lancaster favourites Grutonic.
This year's event will be a very special one for organiser Euan, who is all set to move onto pastures new to focus on a career as a musician and composer.
The festival is a showcase for the great and good of the jazz world with nationally and internationally respected talent, many of whom are home-grown uns.
The one and only Sue Parish and her band will be kicking off the festival in style, with a free, lunchtime gig on the Dukes stage in Lancaster tomorrow (Thursday).
FESTIVAL FACTSThursday, August 21
* Sue Parish and her musicians, The Dukes (Rake) 12.45pm to 13.30pm
* The Sam Dale Band, The Stonewell Tavern, Lancaster 7.30pm to 10pm
* Andy Schofield with Orbit Jazz ,The Gregson Centre, Lancaster, 8pm to 10.30pm, (£5, £3) £7 on the door
* Workshop Band and Realbook NW and Les Chisnall Duo
* Stonewell Open Jam Sessions, Stonewell Tavern, Lancaster, 10.30pm to 1.30am
Friday, August 22
* Swing Commanders, Heysham Golf Club, 7.30pm onwards, £10 Tickets sold in advance
* Big Band Summit feat. OTR and St John's Church, 7.30pm to 9pm, (£4, £2) £6 on the door
* The French Connection, The Stonewell Tavern, Lancaster, 7.30pm to 10pm
* Mealtime with Grutronic, The Gregson Centre, Lancaster, 9.30pm to 11pm, (£6, £4) £8 on the door
* Open Jam Sessions, The Stonewell Tavern, Lancaster, 10.30pm to 1.30am
Saturday, August 23
* Groove Crusaders, Sun Square, Lancaster, 12.30pm to 1.30pm
* Mrs Columbo, Sun Square, 1.30pm to 2.20pm
* Hotcha, Sun Square, 2.30pm to 3.20pm
* Backsheesh, Sun Square, 3.30pm to 4.20pm
* Trio Whackabas, Sun Square, 4.30pm to 5.30pm
* Living Room, The Dukes(Gallery), 6.45pm to 7.45pm
* Gary Boyle Trio, The Stonewell Tavern, Lancaster, 7.30pm to 10pmn
* Courtney Pine, The Dukes (Rake) 8pm (£25)
* Open Jam Sessions, The Stonewell Tavern, Lancaster, 10.30pm to 1.30am
Sunday 24 August
* Bill Wilding, The Stonewell Tavern, Lancaster, 12.30pm to 2pm
* Sun St Stompers, Robert Gillow, Lancaster, 12.30pm to 3pm
* Open Jam Sessions, The Stonewell Tavern, Lancaster, 3pm onwards
* 4 in a Bar, Robert Gillow, Lancaster, 5pm to 6.30pm
* Max Blues Jam Session, Robert Gillow, 7pm to 9pm
* All events are free unless otherwise stated.
* To book tickets for Courtney Pine, call 01524 598501, 10am to 8pm, or book online at: www.dukes-lancaster.org/booking.php. For all other events, call the city council's Cultural Services on 01524 582803, 9.30am to 5pm. For more details about the festival, go to www.lancaster.gov.uk/jazz.
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