ANTICIPATION is high in Upton as organisers put the finishing touches to plans for the 17th International Oliver Cromwell Jazz Festival on June 28, 29 and 30.
The event has grown from a small collection of enthusiasts, who were left £1,800 out of pocket after the inaugural event in 1986, into a massive spectacle attracting up to 7,000 people each day.
Despite its snowballing success and subsequent establishment as a template for other events around the country, organiser "Sir" Alan Buckley says the festival's ethos has not changed.
He still looks for acts who may not be big names but who, nevertheless, demonstrate enthusiasm, skill and, most importantly, a wide variety of styles.
That is not to say there are no big names at this year's event - Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen will be appearing for the first time, alongside favourites such as Lamarotte from Holland and comedy masters Bob Kerr and his Whoopee Band.
Careful plotting of who should play where and when starts in September, which "Sir" Alan compares to putting together a football squad.
"The success of it lies in positioning the bands as a team," he said, explaining that he deliberately lines "big name" bands up at the same time to make sure people spread out across the event.
For the first time in the festival's history, the layout of marquees in Fish Meadow will remain unchanged from 12 months ago, as last year's triangular formation proved the best so far.
The festival will host events from old-style New Orleans and hot club to comedy and dixieland, with musicians hailing from Norway, France, Holland, Hungary and the USA.
Cheering crowds will line the route for the Saturday morning mardi gras parade, featuring two marching bands, energy dancers and the decorated umbrellas of the Secondliners, who follow it from the parish church to the riverside in true New Orleans style.
Stroller tickets, allowing fans to sample any event they choose, along with daily and evening-only tickets are available, with unlimited car parking and free camping for ticketholders.
More information and prices are available from the festival office on 01684 593254 or at www.uptonjazz. co.uk.
l Festival debut: Kenney Ball.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article