The Lichfield Blues and Jazz Festival is coming to the city from June 25 to 28.
Presented by Lichfield Arts, it will feature top national bands plus some of the region’s finest musicians at various venues across the city centre including the cathedral, Lichfield Guildhall, the George Hotel, Lichfield Library and more than 10 pubs and restaurants.
The festival gets off to a blistering start when The Blues Band, with lead vocalist Paul Jones, play at The Cathedral .
June 26 will see popular local band The Sleaze Brothers play their barn-storming blues at the Guildhall, while across at the George Hotel top British trumpeter Jay Phelps brings his star studded quartet to play inspiring jazz.
The following day will see a full programme at the Guildhall, staring off with the inspiring Tommaso Starace Quartet followed by one of Britain’s finest guitarists, John Etheridge, bringing his power house trio to storm the city with a blistering mix of jazz and blues.
The evening blues night will see guitarist Steve Ajao perform his unique acoustic blues, from Robert Johnson to John Lee Hooker.
To finish off this great day of music, the Climax Blues Band – no strangers to their many Midlands fans – will hit the high notes to get the crowd up and dancing.
The Sunday at the George Hotel will see a somewhat more sedate start with local trumpet star
Nick Dewhurst bringing his newly-formed quintet to open the proceedings. Then the music gets big, bold, brassy and bouncy with the searing Walsall Jazz Orchestra.
The festival will climax with Lichfield’s funkiest and grooviest 25-piece ensemble Blast Off showing off their talents.
As well as the formal concerts, the city will also welcome street bands and the acclaimed Lichfield Poets.
The festival features fringe activities too, including student art-work created especially for the festival, a masterclass workshop with guitarist John Etheridge and a Real Ale Trail.
Lichfield Arts Festival Organiser Brian Pretty said: “This will be a great weekend of music for locals and visitors alike and will boost the local economy.”
Tickets are now available for the festival. To book, visit www.lichfieldarts.org.uk or phone the box office on 01543 262223.
