Music fans braved the storm yesterday afternoon at the second day of the Marlborough Jazz Festival.

Thousands of music fans descended on the town for the main day the festival as Sticky Wicket kicked things off over in the Priory Marquee.

The crowd made the most of the sunshine sitting outside and sipping on Pimms as The Bratislava Hot Serenaders wowed them with their take on 1920’s jazz.

The party got into full swing as a band member and one of their supporting female vocal trio, The Serenaders Sisters, took to the floor and started dancing.

The heavens opened up during the second half of their set but even this couldn’t put a dampner on the mood, with children braving the rain to have a dance outside.

Peter Frost came from Newcastle with friends to enjoy the 28th Jazz Festival.

He said: “It’s been a brilliant day. When I heard the thunder and saw the grey sky gradually making its way over the town I thought that was it but everyone stuck it out, the music kept playing and before long the sun returned.

“This was my first Marlborough Jazz Festival but it won’t be my last.”

Over in the Brewin Dolphin Bandstand, Zoe Schwarz had the crowd up on their feet with her band Blue Commotion.

Nearby in the Castle and Ball Lounge, Daryl Sherman played and engaging set for those preferring a more chilled-out out vibe.

Demonstrating that there is no end to her talents, the New Yorker even sang a song in Japanese, having recently spent three months in Japan, and told the audience of her link to Swindon where her dad was stationed during the Second World War.

Chris Bulmer, who was in the audience said: “She was one of the main reasons I came and the set did not disappoint.

“It was a nice added bonus for her to be at the opening as well.”

Back at the Priory Marquee, Marlborough Jazz Festival new comer AJ Brown proved to be a crowd pleaser.

The young singer-songwriter and saxophoner mixed things up with well-known music such as Pastime Paradise, Toy Story hit You’ve Got a Friend in Me and his own tracks which even included a reggae number.

Music fans packed out the Brewin Dolphin Bandstand for Chris Jagger and the Atcha Band and, after starting late because of a few technical glitches, they did not disappoint.

Starting with just two lonely dancers, the area in front of the stage was soon filled with people moving along to combination of blues, country, and rock produced by Mick’s younger brother.

Closing the festival today is jazz megastar Clare Teal who will be playing at the Prior Marquee between 2pm and 4pm.