‘Best yet’ bill for Darwen jazz and blues festival (From Lancashire Telegraph)

‘Best yet’ bill for Darwen jazz and blues festival

12:58pm Tuesday 19th June 2012 in Darwen By Dan Clough, Reporter

MUSIC lovers in Darwen will be feeling blue this August, as the town’s third annual jazz and blues festival gets under way.

The main stage of the festival, which has been able to carry on after an increased £1,500 grant from Darwen Town Council, will be at Darwen Aldridge Community Academy (DACA) in Sudell Road.

However, headliners Hue and Cry, who were popular in the 1980s with hits Labour of Love and Looking For Linda, will perform at the Library Theatre.

Gary Ward, of Darwen Music Projects, which helps organise the festival, said it could be the best yet.

He said:“I think we have got a great line-up this year. We have just secured Claude Peppa who is a fantastic international artist, from South Africa.

“So to have people like that is such a step up and is really exciting. We have DACA as a new venue as well. The facilities there are great.”

The line-up at DACA is, on the Saturday from 2pm, Blackburn with Darwen Music Service Big Band; 3pm Justin Randall; 4pm Jeriatric Jazz; 5pm Kiki de Ville & the Cadillacs; and from 6.15pm, Al MacSween Quintet featuring Claude Deppa, a tribute to Moses Molelekwa.

On Sunday there is, from 2pm, Callum Au (trombone) with the Paul Rigby trio; 3pm Paul Birchall trio; 4pm Dizzy Hack and the Rhino Horns Big Band; 5.30pm Trio Gitan; 6.30pm Kike Sire & Son Tropical; and from 8pm, Hubbard’s Covered.

Tickets for the Saturday cost £10 on the door, £6 with concessions and children under 10 go free. On the Sunday, adult tickets cost £8. Weekend tickets are £16.50.

Pubs and clubs around the town will also host bands.

Tickets for Hue and Cry cost £19.50 in advance and £21.50 on the door.

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