Marlborough's big weekend

International jazz festival hits town

The Brewin Dolphin Marlborough International Jazz Festival 2011 (MIJF) takes place in a carnival atmosphere this weekend, with street closures and the ever-present foot-tapping sounds emerging from every pub and alley.

The event is expected to be the biggest yet. Organiser Nick Fogg said: “We are experiencing another year of phenomenal growth. We seem to be recession-proof. We have never had so many sensational acts on the bill. To see all the bands individually would cost hundreds of pounds.'

Highlights include a galaxy of top award-winners. Britain's top jazz singer, Clare Teal, is the only jazz artist in recent years to have had a CD in the top 20, and is twice winner of the Singer of the Year in the British Jazz Awards.

Legendary American pianist Darius Brubeck will appear with his trio. Tony Award winning star of Les Miserables, Frances Ruffelle, will be there with her septet for her first-ever jazz concert.

Vibrant saxophonist YolanDa Brown has twice won the prestigious MOBO Award and The Nigel Price Organ Trio won the prestigious Parliamentary Jazz Award.

The Latin beat will pulsate around the town, when two top flight jazz flamenco guitarists appear. Eduardo Niebla returns and the latest sensation in the style of Andalusia, Al Marconi, makes his Marlborough debut.

King Salsa is back, with old favourites Gilad Atzman, Big Man Clayton, Chris Jagger, the Jive Aces, the Red Stripe Band and Pete Allen among some 100 bands on show. Around the festival may be found such well-established British jazz stars as Richard Bryant, John Pearce, Dave Green, Clive Morton, Esmond Selwyn and Enrico Tomaso.

The bands Fusion Experience, the Charlotte Glasson Quintet and the Bee Ororo Quintet, winners of the 2008, 2009 and 2010 Brewin Dolphin Award for The Best Newcomer also return.

This is indicative of the festival's ability to build enduring contacts with rising artists. Musicians have been booked from 24 countries, including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Israel, Italy, The Netherlands, Portugal, the Seychelles, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, the UK, US, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

The 1,000-capacity Awdry Bailey and Douglas Marquee will feature the Red Stripe Band, Frances Rufelle, Protect the Beat, Yolanda Brown, King Salsa and the legendary jump-jive outfit Jive Aces.

Visit www.marlboroughjazz.co.uk/