& CULTURE All aboard for A
PERFORMANCE inside Britain’s longest canal tunnel and a gig featuring a Mercury Prize nominee are among the highlights at this year’s Marsden Jazz Festival.
The full line-up for this year’s festival has now been unveiled and it includes more than 150 hours of live music at 24 venues during one weekend, including more than 70 free gigs.
The 26th Marsden Jazz Festival, which is being supported by Arts Council England, Kirklees Council, Charlesworth Estates and Yorkshire Water, will take place between Friday, October 6, and Sunday, October 8.
A unique gig – Sonic Transportation – will see festival goers transported into Standedge canal tunnel by boat where they will hear Norwegian cellist and composer Maja Bugge create music inspired by the three-mile long 19th century structure.
The one-off performance, which is expected to sell out, is being co-promoted by Jazz North with the support of the Canal and River Trust.
Other highlights during this year’s festival will include a gig by Mercury Prize 2017 nominee Dinosaur, a world premier from Jazz Instrumentalist of the Year Arun Ghosh, and a performance by three world-renowned trombone players – including twotime Grammy award winner Michael Dease.
Artistic Director Barney Stevenson said: “We’ve got an amazing line-up at this year’s Marsden Jazz Festival and the performance inside Standedge canal tunnel promises to be something really special.
“We’re also delighted to have internationally-acclaimed artists including Dinosaur and Arun Ghosh performing alongside youth and community groups – inspiring the next generation of jazz artists.
“It’s a really family friendly festival and I’d definitely encourage anyone who hasn’t been before to give it a go as the whole village comes alive with the sound of live jazz throughout the weekend.”
The 26th Marsden Jazz Festival will also include a Saturday street parade featuring a ninepiece rock influenced brass band supported by children playing plastic trombones and trumpets, as well as an artisan market in Marsden’s Victorian park.
Performances will take place in the village’s pubs, clubs and other buildings as well as on four outdoor stages including the Grand Central Rail Marquee on the Bridge overlooking the River Colne. The venue will host seven free gigs featuring youth and community bands during the festival weekend.
The festival’s New Stream gigs will also showcase new and experimental artists and include a three-hour mini festival at Marsden’s Royal British Legion on the Saturday night of the festival weekend. The gig will feature a triple bill of bands from the UK, Belgium and France.
Communications adviser for Yorkshire Water John Bond said: “Following the completion of the £5m investment at Butterley spillway, it’s great to be involved once again with the Marsden Jazz festival. This is the second year running that Yorkshire Water has supported the event and I’m sure this year will be the best yet.”
Tickets for this year’s Marsden Jazz Festival are on sale now and can booked online at www. marsdenjazzfestival.com, by calling 0800 6125 649 or at the jazz festival office in the library at the Mechanics Hall (10am-4pm, Monday-Friday). The full lineup of over 90 gigs is also available to view at www.marsdenjazz festival.com/whats-on.