Jazz festival brings beats to town

THE Teignmouth Jazz and Blues Festival is back this weekend and the 2018 line-up promises to be bigger and better than ever.

Newcomers to the popular three-day event will be able to choose from more than 30 main acts, as well as free fringe events in pubs and cafés in and around the town.

The annual musical extravaganza is celebrating its 29th year and welcomes a variety of local and national artists to perform and share their love of all kinds of jazz and blues music.

The talented and diverse line-up includes Adam Sweet Band, the Devon Youth Jazz Orchestra as well as Matt Carter Quartet featuring Leigh Coleman, Vince Lee and the Big Combo.

As well as the main festival events, nine exciting fringe events are also set to take place in the cafés, bars, galleries and shops around Teignmouth. The four fantastic ven- ues for this year's festival are Pavilions Teignmouth, Bronx Bar & Cue (no wheelchair access), Teignmouth Social Club and the Teign Heritage Centre; all are within a couple of minutes' walk of each other so you can experience plenty of acts.

The festival take place on Friday Saturday and Sunday.

Acts on Friday include: Devon Youth Jazz Orchestra with guest pianist Andrea Vicari, Matt Carter Quartet feat. Leigh Coleman, Vince Lee & the Big Combo, Julian Piper Band - Jelly Roll and Craig Milverton Duo, Adam Sweet Band, The Blow Up and Dave Stephens.

Saturday‘, November 17’s acts include: Tori Freestone & Alcyona Mick Duo, Gilad Atzmon OHE, Tom Unwin's Workshop Band, Leo Richardson Quartet, Andrea Vicari Trio, Alexandra Ridout Quintet, MILON, Le Vie En Rose, Ronnie Jones Quartet, PYJÆN, Kyla Brox Blues Band, Nigel Price Quartet.

Acts on Sunday include: South

Gilad Atzmon Devon Youth Jazz Workshop, Al Swainger Quartet, Bassey plays Massey, The Dave Hankin Big Band, The Schmoozenbergs, R.A.Y., Innes Sibun Band, Jade Gall Quintet featuring Julien Alenda, Greg Abate with the Matt Carter Trio, Martin Dale Quartet, John Shillito’s Riviera Ramblers, Tom Unwin’s Workshop Band, Sons of the Delta.

This year the festival has further developed the blues with more acts than ever and is especially delighted to headline one of Britain’s top female Blues singers, Kyla Brox, who is rarely seen in the South West, as well as the return of the great Innes Sibun Band.

The festival not only promotes young, upcoming musicians but celebrates the huge contribution women make to the genre that too often is seen as a male preserve.

Strollers tickets for the entire weekend or single days offer best value, but on the door tickets are available in advance too.

To buy tickets and for more information visit www.teignmouthjazz.org/2018-festival/online call 07863 360390 or contact Ian Roberts ir2@btinternet.com.

All stroller ticket holders receive a free programme and you can collect them from the desk in the foyer of the Pavilions over the festival weekend.