tickets have gone on sale for a popular jazz weekend.
The sounds of Cuba, India, USA and Huddersfield will mingle in the streets of Marsden from October 9 to 11 when the annual jazz festival hits the village.
And this year promises to have more international acts than ever before according to Barney Stevenson, the event’s producer, which this time will celebrate its 24th year in action.
Already confirmed headliners include Caribbean-born saxophonist Jean Toussaint, multi award-winning vocalist Claire Martin OBE, New Orleans-based and Creole-inspired clarinettist Evan Christopher and jazz instrumentalist of the year Arun Ghosh, who will bring his renowned IndoJazz sextet to the stage.
Most headliners will perform at Mechanics Hall on Peel Street,
Barney, said: “Because we’re becoming more and more well-known we’re managing to get more international artists on the line up.
“We’ve also got a fantastic line up of British musicians and it’ll be amazing to have Jean Toussaint, Arun Ghosh and Evan Christopher in Marsden during the weekend along with Claire Martin and Ray Gelato.
“Jean Toussaint’s time with Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers inspired his career as a jazz musician so it will definitely be a highlight to see his performance dedicated to Art Blakey, 25 years after his death.
See pictures from 2014's event below.
“We’re really excited by the line-up of headliners I’d definitely encourage anyone who hasn’t been before to come along and see what they’re missing.”
Dozens of other venues will host other acts such as The Geordie Approach, The Ben Crosland Quintet, Harlem hot jazz cum country fiddle The Rip Roaring Success and Huddersfield groove collective Nu Popes.
Children’s shows are also planned that include interactive story telling, music and instruments and more gigs are to be released nearer to the time.
Barney said: “There’s always a great family atmosphere during the festival weekend and last year we had over 50 free events, as well as our headliners and New Stream gigs, so there really is something for everyone.
“And we are on the lookout for volunteers to help us run the event, which is all done by volunteers, and gain great experience at the same time.”
Barney said that the organising team is already planning for next year’s festival, which will be their 25th.
“We’ve already started booking and have some exciting acts on the table.
“Our challenges are the capacity of the venues, including the Mechanics Hall, which only fits in 200 people for our headline shows and funding, because this is the last time we will receive any from Kirklees Council, so we’re having to cast our nets wider.”
