Top musicians will be sharing the joy of jazz in Sandwell as the borough teams up with a major international festival.
The newly-renamed Birmingham, Solihull & Sandwell Jazz Festival 2017 will see around 30 performances across Sandwell's six towns – with libraries, museums, parks, Sandwell Arts Café, Windsor Theatre Bar and other venues hosting events from 14 to 23 July.
From homegrown UK talent including the legendary Digby Fairweather Quartet and boogie woogie pianist Emma Jonson to stars from France and Spain, there's a real mix of music.
Dymanic singer Roy Forbes, singer-songwriter Judy Blu and blues two-piece The Whiskey Brothers are among the many highlights.
Sandwell Youth Jazz Orchestra perform with The TCS Blues Band at West Bromwich Central Library; the Great Birmingham Trombone Company play at newly-restored Lightwoods Park; and Les Zauto Stompers de Paris promise to set the bar high (and loud) with shows at the Manor House, West Bromwich, and Windsor Theatre Bar, Bearwood.
Sandwell Council leader Councillor Steve Eling said: “We're very excited to be teaming up with Birmingham and Solihull in this popular and well-established festival, now in its 33rd year, which attracts visitors and musicians from around the globe.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for people from Sandwell and the rest of the Black Country to enjoy jazz music on their doorstep. A big welcome awaits all visitors and musicians as they discover Sandwell during this fantastic festival.”
Councillor Richard Marshall, the council's cabinet member for leisure, added: “Our libraries and museums staff have built up a great relationship with the festival over the years, hosting a number of events. We're thrilled to be making it official this year by getting even more involved, putting Sandwell firmly on the music map.
“Joining with Birmingham and Solihull, we're making up a trio to entertain the whole region this summer, as well as visitors from around the world. There's a wide range of high quality acts performing in Sandwell and the vast majority of events are free entry. I'm really looking forward to it.”
Festival director Jim Simpson said: “We are delighted that Sandwell has decided to become a major player in this important festival. Libraries, museums and parks across the borough have played an increasingly significant part in staging performances that have entertained residents and visitors alike. It was a logical next step for Sandwell to become fully involved.”
