Marlborough festival has all that jazz (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Marlborough festival has all that jazz

12:00pm Sunday 20th May 2012 in News

Performers representing 18 nationalities will take part in this year’s Marlborough Jazz Festival.

Director Nick Fogg revealed that not only will artists bring a global flavour but visitors from around the world, including the Far East, Australia and the Americas, were booking tickets.

The Brewin Dolphin Marlbor-ough International Jazz Festival takes place from July 13-15 for what has become the biggest event in the town’s calendar.

It will be opened by former children’s TV presenter Keith Chegwin on Friday, July 13, at 6pm outside the Castle and Ball Hotel.

Mr Fogg, whose wife Edwina is the new Mayor of Marlborough, is getting in the mardi gras spirit.

He said: “Foot-tapping sounds emerging from every pub and alley will ensure a carnival atmosphere. The event is expected to be the biggest yet. 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.”

Stroller tickets will let people attend as many concerts as they like.

An appropriate landmark for the jubilee year, said Mr Fogg, was inclusion on the world premiere tour of The Queen’s Suite, specially composed by Duke Ellington after he met the monarch in 1958.

Other highlights include top British jazz singer Clare Teal; Sarah Gillespie and Gilad Atzmon with their new show, The War on Trevor; Azerbaijani virtuoso pianist, Amina Figarova; and Darius Brubeck, from one of the world’s most famous jazz families.

Mr Fogg said: “At the last count, 18 nationalities were represented and the winners of every possible jazz award will be at the festival.”

Events will take place at the 1,000-seat marquee in the Priory Gardens, the town hall, most pubs and clubs around the town and even in churches.