The skies were grey and the air moist, but spirits were not dampened as cheerful music filled the streets and pubs of Marsden.

Villagers and music lovers shrugged off the mist and the murk to enjoy three days of New Orleans-inspired events at the 22nd annual jazz festival.

Bright umbrellas and upbeat tunes soon made up for the lack of sun up above.

Crowds lined the streets at noon on Saturday to watch the famous parade, led by Bad Ass Brass.

The lively group piped out mood-enhancing music as they hot-stepped down Peel Street, stopping by the Mechanics Hall for a musical breakdown of epic proportions.

Girls from the Bernadette Heys School of Dance followed the energetic eight-piece, performing dances with hats.

The parade was bolstered by a gaggle of ‘jazz brollies’, made in workshops in the run-up to the event.

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The Huffin’ Puffin’ & Bashin’ Band brought up the rear with an interesting array of homemade instruments, created specially for the festival.

Between them, the musicians, dancers and those just tagging along for the ride, unleashed an explosion of joy onto the streets of Marsden to get revellers revved up for the rest of the day.

One of the organisers, Barney Stevenson, said the miserable weather had done little to deter punters, with 8,000 visitors estimated to have enjoyed the dozens of gigs on offer.

“It’s been a brilliant weekend despite the rain,” he said.

“We’ve had fantastic comments coming in from visitors and packed gigs everywhere.

“It’s been one-in one-out at many of the venues.

“It’s getting bigger every year and we fill all the space available.

“We’ve had to move a few things indoors but there’s a lot of happy folk around.”

The Pennine village hosted more than 70 events in dozens of venues in just over 48 hours – making it the largest programme of any jazz festival in the North of England.

It kicked off on Friday with headline appearances from the Pasadena Roof Orchestra and the John Etheridge Trio North with Dave O’Higgins.

Saturday’s headline programme saw celebrated US alto sax player David Binney appearing with Mick Coady’s Synergy at the Mechanics Hall.

Earlier in the day, Get the Blessing, who share a rhythm section with trip-hop legends Portishead, performed in the hall.

Jazz vocalist Tina May and nine-piece afrobeat outfit the Ariya Astrobeat Arkestra were also highlights.

Sunday’s headline programme ended with virtuoso Italian guitarist Antonio Forcione and his trio.

The festival also featured its own jazz version of much-loved children’s story, The Smartest Giant in Town and a host of music workshops and school and music centre band performances.

The Marsden Jazz Festival is made possible through funding from the Arts Council England and Kirklees Council, with additional funding from the PRS Foundation, Jazz North and Culture Ireland.