Preview: Herts Jazz Festival

The fifth Herts Jazz Festival promises its most exciting programme yet, with Claire Martin, Loose Tubes and Big Band Britannia as the headline acts

The festival, which receives support from Arts Council England, takes place on 18-20 September in the Hawthorne Theatre, Welwyn Garden City. According to Clark Tracey, the festival's director, "Jazz lovers know that they will see the very best of British jazz in a comfortable and friendly venue where the focus is completely on the music and its enjoyment." The festival retains its popular format, with free sessions in the theatre foyer during lunch and dinner intervals and after hours alongside the main concerts in the auditorium.

Loose Tubes (pictured right by Allan Titmuss) will open the festival on the Friday evening. The 21-piece band, which features trombonist Ashley Slater, saxophonist Iain Ballamy and keyboard player Django Bates, will debut tunes from its up-coming album Arriving.

Big Band Britannia will close the festival on the Sunday evening with its first performance of a programme of music by Tubby Hayes and Stan Tracey, including a performance of some of Tracey's big band charts from his Under Milk Wood suite. According to the festival website, the band will feature "a veritable galaxy of UK jazz stars" including guest soloist Bobby Wellins.

Headlining the Saturday programme will be singer Claire Martin (pictured left). Martin will be appearing with Gareth Williams on piano, Arnie Somogyi on bass and Clark Tracey on drums. The festival also promises appearances by Dennis Rollins' Velocity Trio, the Leon Greening Quartet, Julian Arguelles Tetra and the Brian Kellock Trio among others.

read more: http://www.jazzjournal.co.uk/jazz-latest-news/931/preview-herts-jazz-festival