Last year, the inaugural Sidmouth International Jazz and Blues Festival took place in early June, coinciding with the Platinum Jubilee celebrations – and was a resounding success.
Music fans and families enjoyed the dynamic free programme of events on the festival’s outdoor performance stage which showcased musicians and bands from across the region, performing jazz, blues, roots, soul, funk, Latin and Cuban music.
The 2022 headline acts included big names such as the UK queen of soul Mica Paris, acclaimed jazz singer Joe Stilgoe, British bluesman Ian Siegal, virtuoso Italian jazz guitarist Antonio Forcione and the Ronnie Scott’s All Stars direct from the world-famous London jazz club. Free music also took place at various fringe venues including hotels, cafés restaurants, and pubs, creating a wonderful atmosphere around the town.
Commenting on last year's inaugural event, Ian Bowden, the festival director said: "As a newly established event for the region, the festival's core values were to embrace and to work with the local community and provide an exciting blend of musical styles that would appeal to a wide audience."
He added: "Initially there were challenges in getting the festival off the ground, not least because of the effects of covid combined with the fact that it is immensely hard in launching any new cultural event in the current climate. However, the experienced and passionate festival management team gained a swell of positive support and prevailed and the first festival was hugely well received and attended by thousands of visitors from across the East Devon region and from further afield."
Following the mammoth success of the launch event, plans for this year’s festival are well underway with the confirmed diary dates of Friday 26 to Monday, May 29. Tickets are already on sale for the four headline outdoor concerts in Blackmore Gardens, located within the heart of the town.
Opening the festival on Friday, May 26, is the multi–award winning American singer, saxophonist and composer Curtis Stigers, who will perform songs from his latest album and hit songs such as ‘I Wonder Why’ and ‘You're All That Matters To Me’.
The headline act for Saturday, May 27 is the British acid-jazz band, The Brand-New Heavies who will showcase their unique blend of jazz, funk, and soul. The Heavies have lit up the UK music scene for well over two decades and have been responsible for some of the UK’s biggest R&B and soul tracks with hits 'Never Stop, Don't Let It Go To Your Head’ and ‘Dreamer Dream On’ and others.
Other leading performers include blues heavyweight Mud Morganfield who will play on Sunday, May 28, and British jazz saxophonist Courtney Pine OBE who will close the event on Monday, May 29.
Ian added: "Blackmore Gardens will be the main outdoor performance venue for the festival where once again there will be fantastic free music performances over the three days.
"It is well worth the trip to Sidmouth over the end of May bank holiday weekend, where you can soak up the sunshine, experience cool music and take in the sea air."
For tickets and information go to www.sidmouthjazz.com
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