A GROUP which began as a community project will celebrate their 20th anniversary with a special night at King George’s Hall, Blackburn, later this month.

Janglefest will mark the progress made by Blowjangles from a collection of absolute beginners to festival favourites.

Blowjangles will naturally headline a bill which also includes Brassed Off, Legally Blond, Kerry’s Heroes, The Stans and The Boneshakers.

Initially a band with no name, Blowjangles was created by established musicians and teachers, sax player Paeder Long and percussionist Leo Nolan. Their aim was to bring together would-be players of all ages and experience to form a community band.

“It didn’t matter if you couldn’t play an instrument, you would be basically mentored to make you proficient,” said Bernard West, one of the longest serving members of the band. “That ethos still applies today - it is all about having fun and enjoying the music and the performance.”

Bernard himself joined the band unable to play an instrument.

“I’d bought myself a saxaphone at the weekend and by Tuesday I was a member of Blowjangles,” he said. “I’ve improved since then.”

Blowjangles have gone from humble beginnings to being invited to play at carnivals, festivals and events across the UK.

“We have played everywhere from a train to a pirate ship,” said Bernard.

Initially made up of brass and woodwind players and percussionists, Blowjangles’ sound has developed over the years.

“We primarily played outdoors” said Bernard. “But two or three years ago we added a keyboard player, Steve Shaw, and then a drummer and then a guitarist which meant we had become an electronic band.

“This opened up a much wider range of songs and meant we could also play indoors in bars, pubs and clubs.”

Blowjangles hit the headlines in 2004 when the band travelled to Dublin and set a world record for playing the most number of gigs in a 12-hour period, chalking up 27 performances around the city in the time period.

An average Blowjangles performance sees at least a dozen musicians on stage.

“The core band has probably been playing together for around 10 years now,” said Bernard. “This means there is a real tightness about the band and we also have had a number of very experienced players join us over the years too.”

Fun is very much at the forefront of a Blowjangles show.

“We will give out shakers and other instruments to the audience so they can join in,” said Bernard, “and it’s not uncommon to find members of the band stood on tables or wandering through the crowd.”

Over the years around 100 different musicians have played with Blowjangles and it is hoped as many as possible will attend Janglefest.

“The band has always been fully inclusive, that’s what makes it so special,” said Bernard.

Anyone interest in joining Blowjangles can go along to the weekly Tuesday rehearsal from 7pm at the Witton Park Pavilion in Blackburn or visit the band’s Facebook page

Janglefest, King George’s Hall, Blackburn, Saturday, February 25. Details from 0844 847 1664