Convicts at Ribble Valley...

Andy Sheppard

Geoffrey Jackson writes:

Home Office approval for convicts appearing at Ribble Valley Jazz Festival May Day Bank Holiday weekend may not be needed!   Mainly because it’s the Blackburn band, the Soul Convicts, appearing at the British Legion Social Club and heading this year’s festival innovation - a Soul Stage - imitating a successful Blues Stage

But the BIG NEWS is confirmation of the biggest & best programme for the 6th Annual Festival 1/4 May 2015.   Stacey Kent heads up the headliners, accompanied by Andy Sheppard, Soweto Kinch, Alan Skidmore Quintet, and Paul Rigby’s Northern Jazz Orchestra with Georgina Jackson, all appearing at The Grand, ‘The best small theatre outside London’ - James Taylor.

Jazz North’s bands Dread Supreme, John Ellis Trio, and Unfurl, bring Northernline quality to the Atrium Cafe Bar.   Inspired Manchester-based band, Baked a la Ska, ensure a lively late-night dancing gig.

Festival Fringe gigs feature on all 4 days in hotels, restaurants, pubs and villages.  Street Festival Saturday promotes youth bands in Clitheroe’s main street which is closed to traffic.  Bank Holiday Sunday & Monday sees 10 bands on Clitheroe Castle’s outdoor bandstand.   The Festival gives plenty of choice in live music with crossover arts activity complimenting a strong jazz programme.   Hence 4 bands appear on the three year old Blues Stage, and two bands start the first Soul Stage.

The festival programme has strengthened in recent years thanks to private and public sector support.   Unistage, the festival’s main sponsor, provide bespoke staging solutions for the festival.  Arts Council grants have given Ribble Valley Jazz & Blues confidence to expand an ambitious festival that brings social, cultural, and economic benefit to jazz communities, and to Clitheroe and Ribble Valley.

Colour brochures will be available in February, with more information on www.rvjazzandblues.co.uk , www.facebook.com/RVJazzEventsFestivals , and Twitter @RVJazzFest. Email contact is info@rvjazzandblues.co.uk. More Information - Geoff Jackson, Ribble Valley Jazz & Blues - 07870908159
geoff@rvjazzandblues.co.uk