18 Bands in 3 Venues one superb location

SATURDAY 16th August

11.00 – 11.30am
CAMPUS BROLLY PARADE - Led by some of the festivals musicians with you the second- liners in New Orleans style. Bring your brollies!

12.00noon – 3.00pm (Frank Parkinson Centre)
HOT BANANA – Sponsored at this year's festival by Laser Civil Engineering Ltd. Returning to the festival after their appearance last year this small but energetic band will get the festival off to a lively and humorous start with a blend of jump jive and swing to get you in the mood for the whole weekend, with leadership from pianist Simon Banks, and dazzling trombonist and vocalist Kevin Grenfell, reeds man Matt Palmer and keeping them in good order Tony Peers on drums. thisiswhatwedo.eu

12.00noon – 2.30pm(Campus Club Bar)
AMY ROBERTS’ ALL STAR BAND – Increasingly in demand to play clubs and festivals around the UK, this young reed star takes a break from her growing schedule of performances and her studies at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester to revisit Pershore in response to the acclaim she received last year from her growing following of fans. She brings with her trumpeter Steve Graham who together with local musicians Roger Heeley(pno), Andy Robins (bs), Clinton Sedgley (bjo/gtr) and Graham Smith (dms) will entertain you with anything from New Orleans to Ragtime to Mainstream.

2.30-4.00pm(The Corner Venue)
SAM GERMAINE-SCRIVENS – Some say that the UK jazz scene needs youth and talent to keep it going. Well here we present a talented young pianist making his debut at any jazz festival. He was spotted whilst taking part in Worcestershire Young Musician competition last year, unbelievably he did not win it but he certainly caught many approving eyes and the festival is delighted to welcome him. He has been playing piano for nearly 14 years and he is only 17! He plays cello and double bass and is a member of his school’s jazz band as well as composing classical music. A ‘first’ for the festival, and maybe the start of a fantastic Jazz career – ‘play it again Sam’.

3.00-5.30pm(Campus Club Bar)
SAVANNAH JAZZ BAND – This band could be the festival ‘s first international visitors – well they do hail from Yorkshire! The Savannah is without doubt one of the most popular UK bands around. With their talent for satisfying listeners and dancers alike they have built up a truly international reputation at major festivals in the UK and overseas and this is their first appearance at Pershore. Hey-up! With Bill Smith (cnt), Brian ’Sam’ Ellis (tbn), Rod Chambers (reeds), Louis Lince (bjo), Rae Owens (bs) and Nick Milward (dms), they are sure to deliver the driving and exciting New Orleans music that is their style – thou knows! www.savannahjazz.co.uk

3.45-6.45pm(Frank Parkinson Centre)
REEDS UNITED - George Huxley & John Maddocks are without doubt among the top handful of reed players in the country and, when they joined forces at the 2002 Bude Jazz Festival they created a pairing that has become much sort after and acclaimed ever since. We are delighted to have secured them to appear at the festival for we know that they will please their many fans and recruit many new ones. As you would expect from musicians of this calibre they are supported by some of the best musicians in the country namely Barry Norman (dms), John Penn (pno), Geoff Over (bjo)

6.00-7.30pm(Campus Club Bar)
JAZZ EXPRESS – This band has evolved from the county’s longest established Traditional/Dixieland band ‘The Perdido Street Jazz Band’ as the principle members of the band come together to perform tunes and songs in more mainstream idioms. Ted Taylor (tpt), Martin Veasey (tbn), John Watkins (gtr)

6.30-8.00pm(The Corner Venue)
ROGER HEELEY TRIO & FRIENDS – Many adjectives have been used to describe Roger Heeley’s skills at the piano keyboard but probably the best way to sum-up this award winning musician, who is capable of playing in a wide range of styles, is to list who he has not played with and who does not hesitate to do so – sorry cannot think of anyone. Certainly bassist Andy Robins and drummer Graham Smith did not waiver for a second to feature alongside this man – a musician’s musician. Can you guess just who might wish to take the stage with this trio? Whoever they may turn out to be, it will certainly be worth a listen.

7.30-10.30pm(Frank Parkinson Centre)
HARLEM - Founded in 1981 for the creative interpretation of the big band sounds of the 1920s and 30s. The band's musical starting point is transcriptions of the recorded performances of the great classic bands like those of Duke Ellington, Benny Carter, Fletcher Henderson, Luis Russell, etc. It has regularly featured in festivals, clubs, dancehalls ad theatres throughout Europe, including a long run of performances at London's Barbican Centre, often in the company of distinguished guest vocalists and instrumentalists. Increasingly, though, their own original compositions and arrangements have become a performance feature. Now they perform for your delight. harlemjazz.co.uk

8.00-10.30pm(Campus Club Bar)
RALPH ALLIN QUARTET – an outstanding classical violinist by day and a revolutionary artist when featured with his quartet delivering a uniquely diverse programme of fiery gypsy music with anything from Latin rhythms, classical cadenzas, to swing interpretations of great jazz standards and own compositions. He never fails to please and amaze. ralphallin.com

Tickets £16 per day
or £14 if bought in advance*

*See Contact page for details

SUNDAY 17th August

10.30am-12.00noon
Festival CHURCH SERVICE (Baptist Church, Broad Street) – The Antique Six Jazzband and singer Ruth Frith join the congregation for what has almost become a festival tradition. Come and join in the gospels and spirituals, join in the prayers and get a flavour of the origin of jazz and blues.

12.30-3.30pm(Frank Parkinson Centre)
RICHARD LEACH’S CLUB HOUSE 5 – Five top class musicians combine to perform Classic Jazz from the 1920’s and beyond, from the music of Louis Armstrong, Fats Waller, Jelly Roll Morton, Muggsy Spanier and more. A real treat for jazz buffs. Richard Leach (tbn), George Huxley (rds), Gordon Whitworth (tpt), Dennis Mowat (bs), Brian Mellor (gtr/bjo).

12.30-2.30pm (Campus Club Bar)
ROUND THE HORN – Another international band, well they have travelled up from their base in Wales, return to the festival after several years absence. The band hosts the Caldicot Jazz Club and Festival with a brand of swinging mainstream jazz. Roy Davies (tpt), Alan Johnson (gtr), Keith Tolley (bs), Mac Cambray (dms). On their last visit to Pershore they filled the venue!
caldicotjazz.co.uk

2.00-4.00pm(The Corner Venue)
SIMON BANKS & KEVIN GRENFELL – If you caught the Hot Banana session yesterday you will have an inkling of what to expect from the musical skills of pianist Simon and trombone exponent Kevin – quality music, excellent entertainment and more than a few giggles. thisiswhatwedo.eu

3.00-5.30pm(Campus Club Bar)
FRET & FIDDLE – This award winning Hot Club trio took the festival by storm last year and their return was demanded. So here are Andy Bole, Salene and Mike Green again drawing inspiration from the small string bands of the 30’ and 40’s and those that featured Stéphane Grappelli to delight you once more. www.fretandfiddle.co.uk

4.00-7.00pm(Frank Parkinson Centre)
OXFORD CLASSIC JAZZ – Here we have a band that contains undoubtedly some of the best classic jazz exponents in the country today. They recall the swinging sounds of the jazz age with their musical interplay, delightful melodies and beguiling swing, featuring Nick Gill, Debbie Arthurs and other superb musicians. They are sure to captivate, for they always do. sorsegods.co.uk/classicjazz/

6.00-7.30pm (Campus Club Bar)
THE MIKE GRAVER TRIO – Answering the call for some sophisticated smooth jazz at the festival this trio will have no trouble in satisfying demand and more besides. Mike Graver is regularly seen performing on keyboard with Tad Newton’s Jazz Friends and Richard Leach’s 7 Stars of Jazz and here, in another festival debut, provides an opportunity to listen to his superb jazz touch and feel for songs and melodies. Sympathetically augmenting Mike’s stylish delivery are Roger Davis (bs) and Graham Smith (dms).

5.30-8.00pm(The Corner Venue)
ABBEY JAZZ – This band, led by experienced local bass man, and organiser of the regular Sunday evening jazz club sessions at Malvern RFC. Len Thwaites stepped in last year, at the last minute, to fill a session vacated by a band that were indisposed by illness. They won great acclaim so they return in response to the demand for them to do so. Welcome back Len, Phil Probert (gtr)

7.30-10.30pm (Frank Parkinson Centre)
NEW ORLEANS HEAT – Given the popularity of this band and the high demand for it to perform at venues all over the UK, this closing session has got to be a great finale to a great weekend’s jazz. This seven piece band play the old style New Orleans jazz, recreating the music of the crescent city,  be it a stomp, blues, hymn, spiritual or pop song of the day, in the style of the late great, Bunk Johnson, George Lewis and Kid Thomas bands. Their motto, 'helping to keep the real jazz alive', echoes the festival’s objectives. The regular seven piece line up is - Gwyn Lewis cornet, Alan Birkinhead trombone, John Scantlebury (clt/sax), Barry Grummett (pno), Dion Cochrane (dms), Harry Slater (bs) and Tony Peatman (bjo). neworleansheat.co.uk

8.00-10.30pm (Campus Club Bar)
The ANTIQUE SIX JAZZBAND – The demand for this Midland’s based band sees them regularly performing well in excess of 100 gigs a year making them one of the busiest bands around. Their vast repertoire contains an eclectic mix of jazz, influenced by the works of Armstrong, Morton, Oliver and the Revivalists band of the 40’s. Whilst you will detect a strong New Orleans influence you will also hear more modern numbers performed by Chris Mercer (tpt), Chris Pearce (reeds), Richard Leach (tbn), Andy Robins (bs), Graham Smith (dms) and Clinton Sedgley (bjo/gtr). antiquesixjazzband.com

See pictures of Last Years's Festival