Jazz festival set to sizzle

The line-up has been announced for a summer jazz festival celebrating 21 years of gigs at a Staffordshire club.

Seven events in seven days will feature the most popular acts from the last two decades of Gumbles Jazz Club in Stafford.

Founder Chris Gumbley, pictured, said the festival would open on Monday, May 19 with the Snake Davis Band at Stafford Rangers Social Club in Astonfields Road at 8pm. Tickets are £10. On May 20 guitarist Fred 'Thelonious' Baker is at Palmers Surgery in Crabbery Street, also at 8pm, with tickets costing £8.

Saxophonist Gilad Atzmon brings his quartet to Palmers Surgery the following night at 8pm – with tickets costing £8.

On the Thursday, Chris plays with guests in a jam session at the same venue at 8pm. Tickets are £5.

The Dan Nicholls Band appears on Friday, May 23 at 8pm at Palmers Surgery. Tickets are £8.

The Liane Carroll Trio appears on the Saturday at Stafford Rangers at 8pm, with tickets at £10. On the Sunday, Passion Dance have a lunchtime show opening at noon.

The final night is described as a Hangover Session with Passion Dance, featuring guitarist and synthesizer players Robin Jones and Ian Millican, at Palmers Surgery at 8pm. Tickets are £8.

There will be tickets available on the door for all gigs with advance tickets for Snake Davis and Liane Carroll which can be reserved and held on the door

"Snake and Liane are this country's current hot property and we're delighted that Snake has reassembled his original Manchester line-up featuring Steve Williams for one night only," said Chris.

"Whether you're into R&B, bop, Pat Metheny or cutting edge contemporary jazz you'll find it here at its very best."

Chris Gumbley is available on 01785 259144 or at ch.gumbley@btinternet. com

Last year Stafford hosted a highly successful two-week music festival in May featuring jazz and folk.

The event was staged at venues across the town and showcased local bands, choirs and singing groups.

There were street performances and Stafford Jazz Club hosted the Staffordshire Youth Jazz Festival.