THE sweet sounds of New Orleans will enjoy a new home across the Atlantic in Clitheroe this bank holiday weekend for the town’s Jazz Festival.

Some of the industry’s biggest names will perform at 30 events around the town, including live concerts at The Grand, free lunchtime gigs at cafes and pubs around the town and busking in the grounds of Clitheroe Castle.

Headlining the four-day event will be Jacqui Dankworth, daughter of singer Dame Cleo Laine and jazz legend Sir Johnny Dankworth, who died in February.

The event, set to attract jazz music fans from across the country, kick-starts tonight with an opening event at The Atrium Cafe, and music from Alan Barnes and The Steve Berry Duo.

Altogether more than 40 artists will descend on the Ribble Valley including the Al Wood Big Band, the Northern Jazz Orchestra and Alan Barnes.

Over recent years, there has been something of a jazz resurgence in the area, thanks to Ribble Valley Jazz and Blues Club, organisers of the festival.

And the event, the first of its kind in 45 years, has a great emphasis on young talent as part of the club’s youth jazz programme with two schools also making the line-up.

St Augustine’s School Band, Billington and St Christopher’s Swing Band from Accrington will be performing with the Al Wood Big Band.

The other youth project sees the John Wickham Trio, with 15-year-old Tom Allonby on saxophone, enjoying workshops with Paul Rigby, leader of the Northern Jazz Orchestra.

Ribble Valley Jazz and Blues chairman Geoff Jackson said: “We’re really looking forward to the event. It should be a great weekend for all the family.

“A unique feature is the inclusion of performances by talented young jazz musicians alongside so many well-established performers from the international and UK circuit.

“It’s an event not to be missed.”

Friday, April 30

5pm Sax Workshop with Alan Barnes, The Grand
6pm Dee & Reg, The Olive Press
7pm Reception and opening event, The Atrium Cafe
8pm Alan Barnes with Steve Berry Trio, The Atrium Cafe.

Saturday, May 1

10.30am Woodwind presentation with Emma Wakerley, The Grand
11.30am Busking Kevin Morris, Castle Gates
11.30am Metro Duo, Maxwells Wine Bar
12.30pm Rebecca Joy, The Old Post House Hotel
12.30pm Mark Lewis Trio, The Atrium
1.30pm Busking Kevin Morris, Castle Gates
2pm Paul Rigby and the Northern Jazz Orchestra, The Grand
6pm Amanda Lucas, Inn At The Station
6pm Rebecca Joy, The Olive Press
8pm Jacqui Dankworth, The Grand/

Sunday, May 2

12.30pm John Wickham Trio and Tom Allonby, The Atrium Cafe
12.30pm Mark Lewis Trio, Inn At The Station
12.30pm Al Wood Big Band and school bands St Augustine’s Swing Band, Billington and St Christopher’s Swing Band, Accrington, The Grand
1.30pm Busking, Kevin Morris, Castle Gates
3.30pm Paul Rigby Jazz Quartet
6pm Eric Ainsworth with Jimmy Thompson, The Olive Press
8pm Simon Spillett with Steve Berry Trio, The Atrium Cafe.

Monday, May 3

12.30pm Eric Ainsworth, Post House Hote
l2.30pm Kath and John Dyson, The Atrium Cafe
2pm Latin Jazz Party — Mas Y Mas, The Grand.

* The Ribble Valley Jazz Festival is at various venues in Clitheroe from Friday, April 30 to Monday. May 3. For ticket information contact the box office on 01200 421599.