A FEAST of quality jazz is lined up for music lovers in Darwen this weekend.

For the first time, the main two-day festival will be held under one roof at Darwen Aldridge Community Academy featuring an eclectic mix of 11 artists from the world of jazz.

Now in its third year, the festival goes from strength to strength and includes some of the rising stars of the jazz world appearing alongside some more weel established names with international reputations.

As well as the main festival venue, tomorrow also sees the return of Hue and Cry to Darwen Library Theatre following a sell-out appearance at the venue in April. A number of tickets remain for this concert by brothers Pat and Greg Kane, best known for hits such as Looking For Linda and Labour of Love.

Throughout the weekend a number of fringe venues will also hold live music events.

Line up:

Darwen Aldridge Community Academy

Saturday

  • 2pm Blackburn with Darwen Music Service Big Band
  • 2.50pm Justin Randall, boogie woogie piano
  • 4pm Jeriatric Jazz, from the American songbook
  • 5pm Kiki de Ville and the Cadillacs, rhythm and blues
  • 6.15pm. Al MacSween Quintet featuring Claude Deppa: present a tribute to Moses Molelekwa, African Jazz

Sunday

  • 2pm Callum Au (trombone) with the Paul Rigby Trio
  • 3pm Paul Birchall trio Pop covers turned jazz
  • 4pm Dizzy Hack and the Rhino Horns Big Band
  • 5.30pm Trio Gitan, gypsy jazz
  • 6.30pm Kike Sire & Son Tropical, latino and Cuban style
  • 8pm Hubbards Covered featuring Neil Yates playing a tribute to Freddie Hubbard

Darwen Library Theatre
 

Saturday

  • Hue & Cry

Fringe venues

Saturday

  • 7.30pm Official opening-featuring uz3 (jazz) and Nathan Sturgess, Number 39 Hopstar Brewery Tap
  • 8pm Les Jass Trois, Mangiamos (table bookings only)
  • 9pm The Sesh, The Black Horse
  • 10.15pm Atlanta Roots, The Millstone
  • Tomorrow
  • 11.50am Jazz Trio, Darwen Town Hall outside ‘Melodia’
  • 8pm Kiki DeVille, Mangiamos (table bookings only)
  • 9pm Steve Childs, Number 39
  • 10.30pm The Soul Convicts, The Millstone

Sunday

  • 10pm The Philip Israel Quartet (jazz) followed by The Steps Session, Number 39

Weekend Academy tickets, £16.50 in advance. Saturday tickets £8 (£10 on the door), Sunday £10 (£12 on the door). Hue and Cry tickets £19.30
Tickets 01254 706 006 or 0844 847 1664 or in person from Cue Music or Number 39 or on the door (subject to availability)