Chipping Sodbury prepares for first ever jazz festival

The two-day musical medley features a line-up of the region’s best loved jazz artists, as well as a walking band and artisan market.

Headlining the festival, which takes place across all the pubs in Chipping Sodbury on Friday, July 29 and Saturday, July 30, is legendary performer Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen.

Acclaimed trumpet player Kenny will play a reprtoire of jazz hits at Chipping Sodbury Town Hall on the Friday (7.30pm) in the only ticketed event of the festival.

Other free performances include Jim Blomfield at The Grapes (8pm and 9.30pm) and Kate McNab and Kit Morgan at the Beaufort Hunt (8.30pm and 10pm), both on the Friday evening, the Cass Caswell Trio at the Beaufort Hunt (1pm and 2.30pm), Jex Broun and Friends at the Portcullis (4pm) and a Latin quartet at The Squire (6.30pm and 7.45pm) on the Saturday.

There will also be a jazz breakfast with Paul Buck at Hamptons deli (10am and 11.15am) and an ambling band will play on Broad Street and High Street on the Saturday.

The festival has been organised by Chipping Sodbury Chamber of Commerce to encourage more people to the town.

Chairman Mark Lloyd said he hoped it would become an annual event which would help put Chipping Sodbury on the map.

"It is going to be fantastic," he said. "All the musicians are very well known and we have timed the performances so you could get round to each one if you want.

"We picked jazz because it is the type of music which crosses all ages so we hope it will appeal to all."

He added: "This has the real potential to become an annual festival. Other jazz festivals start off this big so this is really exciting."

Tickets for Kenny Ball and His Jazzmen cost £18.50 and are available from Chipping Sodbury Tourist Information Centre, Penny Farthings Gift Shop, Vickers Stationery, or by emailing info@visitchippingsodbury.com The full line up for the Chipping Sodbury Jazz Festival is available at www.visitchippingsodbury.com