Lancaster jazz festival 2015

Matt Robinson /// fest ival directorDave Shooter /// producerJen Benson /// fest ival managerJack Bond /// marketing and audience development managerLeo Bur t in /// associate producer

Rob Her issone-Kel ly /// fest ival repor terSeth Bennett /// ar t ist in residence

David Fatkin, Paul Froggatt , Pete Hyde , Kathr yn MacDonald, Alan Rice ///trustees

Huge thanks to /// Jul ie Brown, Chr is Bye , The Creative Hub, Nick Gebhardt, Richard Hammond, Fanny Mar tin, Ben McCabe , Steve Mead, Pete Moser, Ros Rigby, Nigel Slee , Jackie Thompson, Paula & Richard Wil l iams , al l our wonderful members and volunteers

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We make every effort to ensure Lancaster Jazz Festival events are accessible to our whole audience. If you require any more information other than what is included in this programme or online at www.lancasterjazz.com then please do get in touch with the festival team at [email protected] or speak to any

LJF volunteers at any of our events.

A non-graphic, large print, editable word version as well as an audio described version of this programme is available from www.lancasterjazz.com or from

[email protected]

H E L L O A N D W E L C O M E T O

L A N C A S T E R J A Z Z F E S T I V A L 2 0 1 5

We like to do things a little differently here.

This year we are taking another massive step towards one of the festival’s long term goals, which is to become a truly artist-led festival. We are aiming to create an artists’ playground, featuring exceptional music set in the beautiful surroundings of the historic city of Lancaster.

This is going to be the best LJF to date - and we’re more excited about this one than any we’ve made so far. We’ve programmed artists that we feel are doing something truly original and exciting, artists who will create beautiful new works, be open to collaborations and be breathtakingly stunning. We’re also supporting emerging artists like never before with help from our Artist in Residence for 2015, Seth Bennett, possibly the most original British double bassist in a generation. He’s not only going to be developing and showcasing his own extraordinary projects but has also been mentoring our Youth Jazz Commission, awarded to pedal harpist Calum Macleod, and will be working with our emerging artists throughout the festival.

And for you, the “best jazz audience in the country”, as stated by headline drummer Pedro Segundo last year, we have the best contemporary music and emerging jazz that you will find anywhere in the UK. With our partners and members we’ve taken your suggestions and redesigned every event in the festival from the ground up to make them even better and more ambitious. And, we have the wonderful ‘Empirical’ headlining at the Dukes, promising another truly memorable gig (just be there!).

If you haven’t been before, then a huge welcome. We’re sure you’ll find stuff you’ll love, whether that is joining us at the Brewery for some beer and reggae crossover, or tea and deckchairs in Sun Square, or the best coffee in the UK with added violins in The Hall.

“Jazz lives here in Lancaster” said Courtney Pine last year and we completely agree. Welcome to our 5th birthday - it’s gonna be really special.

- Matt Robinson and Dave Shooter

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Lancaster Brewer y is located within Lancaster Leisure Park, Wyresdale Road, LA1 3LA.

This is a 30 minute walk from the main fest ival s ite so travel l ing by car or taxi is advised. Ample free parking is avai lable .

For more info go towww.lancasterjazz.com or [email protected]

1 /// Sun Square2 /// Sun Hotel / Festival Hub3 /// The Hall4 /// Robert Gillow5 /// Royal Kings Arms6 /// to the Dukes & Golden Lion (5 mins walk)7 /// to taxis and buses8 /// to shops and city centre9 /// to trains (5 mins walk)

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A R T I S T I N R E S I D E N C E

S E T H B E N N E T T

Featured events ///SAT 1911.30am / Q&A w/Leo Geyer, The Hal l3.15pm / En Bas Quar tet , The Hal l10.30pm / Jam Session, Golden Lion

SUN 2011am / Workshop, The Hal l3.45pm / Word of Moth, The Hal l

Our ver y fir st Ar t ist in Residence and the most or iginal double bassist working in the UK r ight now.Based at the FESTIVAL HUB but with showcasing performances at THE HALL and wander ings around the entire fest ival .

As one of the most active jazz musicians in the country over the last 20 years, Seth Bennett has been playing in everything from European touring hardcore punk groups to the North Sea Jazz Festival with Gil les Peterson. His hugely diverse portfolio of work swings from improvising chamber group, 7 Hertz, to sideman for folk singer Mary Hampton, toco-operative jazz trios and beyond. At home in many andwide-ranging musical discipl ines, Seth also works as an educator, teaching at Sheff ield Jazz Workshops for the last three years where he won a Jazz Yorkshire award for Best Teacher. He also taught on the Sound and Music Composer’s Summer School in 2012.

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S U P P O R T E D E V E N T S

J A Z Z B R E A K FA S T S

WHERE /// The Rober t Gi l low, 64 Market Street. LA1 1HP

WHEN /// Fr iday 18th September, Saturday 19th September, Sunday 20th September9.30am each day

DURATION /// 2 hours 30 mins

TICKETS /// FREE

ACCESS /// Accessible

Enjoy a tasty breakfast and live jazz every morning at The Robert Gillow

N o r Vo l : “ H ow c a n I r u n a s u c c e s s f u l

j a z z ve nu e ? ”

WHERE /// Fest ival Hub, The Sun Hotel , Sun Street. LA1 1EW

WHEN /// Saturday 19thSeptember, 2.30pm

DURATION /// 3 hours

TICKETS /// FREE


Find out everything you could want to know about running a venue or festival from the North’s own Jazz Promoter Network. The event will include presentations, panel discussions and a clinic. If you are a new or experienced promoter, or maybe just thinking about giving it a go, then this event is for you. Topics will include: finding an audience, getting the right venue, developing a programme, letting people know what you do, paying for it, developing the scene and many more...

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Presented in par tnership with the Nor thern Jazz Promoter Network

S U N S T R E E T S TO M P E R S

L I N DY H O PS E S S I O N

WHERE /// The Hal l , China Street. LA1 1EX

WHEN /// Saturday 19thSeptember, 7pm

TICKETS /// FREE



Grab your dancing shoes and join in with Lancaster’s longest running jazz band, The Sun Street Stompers.

A F T E R N O O N T E A A T T H E R O Y A L K I N G S

A R M SJo in us for jazz and high tea on both Saturday and Sunday afternoons in the hear t of the histor ic c ity of Lancaster, at the recently refurbished Royal Kings Arms Hotel with views of the famous cast le . Or iginal ly bui l t in 1625 and rebui lt in 1879, the hotel was immor tal ised by Charles Dickens in his tale of “The Lazy Tour Of Two Idle Apprentices”.

T H E L I N D S AY H A N N O N P L U SWHERE /// Royal Kings Arms ,Market Street. LA1 1HP

WHEN /// Saturday 19thSeptember, 1pm

DURATION /// 2 hours 30 mins with inter val

TICKETS /// FREE


Lindsay Hannon / voiceJames Harr ison / pianoJohn Pope / double bassTom Chapman / drums

Raucous barrel-house blues or spacious ballads: genres are thoughtfully juxtaposed, each song a journey in itself, creating an electric atmosphere.

B I L L I O N A I R E S T R I O

WHERE /// Royal Kings Arms ,Market Street. LA1 1HP

WHEN /// Sunday 19th September, 1pm


TICKETS /// FREE


Emma Wil l iams / voice‘Boogie’ Bi l l Rober ts / piano

Paul Froggatt / tenor sax

A fun and foot-tapping outfit emulating the sound and style of the great American dance bands, moving seamlessly from jump-jive to ratpack via some good-time rhythm & blues. This slick little outfit can really swing, leading you through a wonderful jazzy journey of timeless classics from the likes of Louis Prima, Peggy Lee and Sinatra.

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Presented in par tnership with theRoyal Kings Arms Hotel

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L A N C A S T E R B R E W E R Y S T A G E

WHERE /// Lancaster Brewer y, Lancaster Leisure Park, Wyresdale Road. LA1 3LA

WHEN /// Fr iday 18th September, Doors 7.30pm


TICKETS /// FREE


Star t your fest ival here as we launch into Lancaster Jazz 2015 with a mad mix of emerging talent, pioneer ing music and fantast ic beer.

Ample free car parking on site .

R I C H A R D O R M RO D YO U T H J A Z Z WO R K S H O P

5.30pm

Presented in par tnership with Lancaster Brewer y

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Bring an instrument and join award winning multi-instrumentalist, bandleader and teacher Richard Ormrod as he delves into the world of improvisation and

jazz using bits of material from A Dread Supreme.A short performance of the music created in the workshop will take place at

8.30pm

L R G S B I G B A N D

Paul Froggatt / conductor

The LRGS big band has a long and distinguished history giving many young musicians a chanceto play serious charts and develop into formidable players. The band is a major feed for the county big bands, with many alumni going on to professional careers in the music business.

7.45pm

A D R E A D S U P R E M E

Richard Ormrod /reeds/f lute/melodica/

percussion/vocalsChr is Campbel l /guitar & vocals

Bob Birch /Hammond & synthsKenny Higgins / bassSam Hobbs / drums

Joseph Gerald ‘Spear’ / percussion & vocals

Turning Coltrane into 70s Jamaican Roots, re-imagining the 60s protest songs of Bill Wilson for the 21st Century and performing sets of open-ended improvisations based on early Caribbean dance bands and 50s American lounge acts.

9pm

TAU P E10pm

Jamie Stockbr idge /alto sax

Mike Parr-Burman / guitar

Adam Stapleford / drums

A Newcastle upon Tyne based trio specialising in razorsharp polyrhythmic play, exploratory interplay and raw, high energy live performances. The group’s sound is built of influences drawing from free jazz and math metal to hip-hop grooves and post-bop, with a healthy dollop of skronk, navigated down a path that seeks to blur the line between carefully constructed rhythmic compositions and explosive group improvisation.

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S U N S Q U A R E S T A G E

WHERE /// Sun Square , Sun Street.LA1 1EW

WHEN /// Saturday 19th September, 12 noon


TICKETS /// FREE

ACCESS /// Accessible and dog water stations available

An open air stage in the beautiful Georgian surroundings of Sun Square . Grab a coffee from the Music Room and rec l ine in a deckchair or pop round the corner to the Fest ival Hub at The Sun Hotel to chat with the ar t ists over a couple of beers .

Family fr iendly. Feel free to br ing picnics although please be advised that no alcohol is al lowed in the square .

This is an outdoor event that wi l l go on, rain or shine . In case of severe weather, please refer towww.lancasterjazz.com ortwitter.com/LancasterJazz on Sat 19 Sept for up to the minute information.

J A Z Z N O RT H I N T RO D U C E S

Presented in par tnership withLancaster BID

12noon

Jazz North introduces is a scheme that provides young northern jazz artists with their first high-profile showcase performances and mentoring with leading UK jazz artists. This initiative from our partners at Jazz North builds on ‘mjf ’s introduces’ scheme to showcase the very best new jazz talent from across the north. At the time of going to print the artist has yet to be selected. For the

latest information and line-up please visit www.lancasterjazz.com

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DA K H L A B R A S S

Matt Brown / drums Charlotte Ostafew /

bar itone saxSophie Stockham /

alto saxPete Judge / trumpet

Liam Treasure /trombone

Bristol based Dakhla Brass play original music combining evocative harmonies, intricate rhythms, absorbing soundscapes; from one extraordinary drummer and four top-of-their-game horn-players.

1.20pm

“A powerhouse . Talent, inst inct and creativ ity make them a real force to be reckoned with” Sound on Sound

THUNKF I SH

Tom Pickles / sax/f luteCharles Dearness /

trumpetJed Potts / guitar

Tom Wilkinson / bassRichard Kass / drums

2.40pm

Thunkfish are the sole entity at the forefront of the not-quite nascent PTHRONK scene. They are a tight, yet unpredictable blend of jazz, punk, thrash, prog and funk, with influences from Headhunters to Metallica: one moment head-nodding, infectious grooves, escalating tomosh-pit intensity, one moment rhythmically ambiguous and expansive, always interesting and infectious.

B L I N D M O N K T R I O

4pm

Bob Whittaker /tenor sax

Hugo Harr ison /double bass

Johnny Hunter / drums

They have caused quite a stir over the past couple of years in the Northwest jazz scene, putting a fresh spin on the sax/bass/drums trio format. With influences from the whole history of the genre (Sonny Rollins, Joe Henderson, FLY) blended with alternative rock and eastern folk, Blind Monk Trio present quirky original compositions along with some surprising arrangements of classic standards.

Presented in par tnership with Jazz Nor th

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T H E H A L L


WHEN /// Saturday 19thSeptember, 11.30am


TICKETS /// FREE

ACCESS /// Wheelchair accessible via ‘south’ entrance with temporar y ramp. Fest ival Team wil l be avai lable to offer assistance .

A truly unique mix of ar t ists in Lancaster’s beautiful , br i l l iant and int imate contemporar y cafe run by Lancaster award winning coffee roasters and brewers J . Atkinson & Co. Free entr y but l imited seating.

Presented in par tnership withJ . Atkinson & co.

Q & A : L E O G E Y E R & S E T H B E N N E T T

Leo Geyer /LJF Youth Jazz Commission 2014

Seth Bennett /LJF Ar t ist in Residence 2015

11.30am

K H Y M E R I K A L

Leo Geyer / conductorRachel Maby / voiceSara Hal l / c lar inet

Tim Rathbone / v iol inMike Newman / cel lo

12.45pm

A programme of contemporary music inspired and pervaded by Jazz, featuring not one but two world premières; ‘The Last Minstrel Suite’ by Michael Newman is a setting of the Introduction to Sir Walter Scott’s narrative poem ‘Lay of the Last Minstrel’, the second, for full ensemble, combining Jazz and Cubism to create an explosive collage of musical luminescence.

Returning to LJF after premiering his Youth Jazz Commission here in 2014 Leo Geyer talks with Seth Bennett and our festival reporter, Rob Herrisone-Kelly about jazz, composition and festivals with additional questions from the audience.

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Lancaster Jazz Fest ival Youth Jazz Commission 2015

C A L U M M AC L E O Dp re s e n t s “ N O D H A ”

2pm

E N B A S Q UA RT E T

Seth Bennett / double bassAl ice Eldr idge / cel lo

Benedict Taylor / v iolaAby Vul l iamy / v iola

3.15pm

“I formed En Bas Quar tet because I wanted to play in an improvis ing str ing quar tet . I ’d long been interested in contemporar y chamber music , and wanted to invest igate that aesthetic in an improvised context. A “low” quar tet also al lows me to join in - the bass par t in a quar tet is usual ly taken by the cel lo - and wr ite music for a chamber ensemble , with al l the interact ion and rhythmic subtlety they use . I find the paral le l between a small jazz ensemble and a str ing quar tet ver y interest ing; both groups wi l l stretch t ime , al low the music to breathe and pause , and find a way to play as a single unit . I chose three of the best str ing improvisers in the countr y to form the rest of the ensemble , and was lucky enough that they al l agreed to take par t in the project .”- Seth Bennett / Artist in Residence

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Calum MacLeod / harp & vocalsLiam Waddle / piano

Harr y Jones / electronics

A pedal harp graduate from the RNCM Calum is a fluent Gaelic speaker, having been immersed in Gaelic culture from an early age. He has won many prizes, including the clarsach competitions at the Pan Celtic Festival in Donegal and the Stan Barker Memorial Prize for Jazz Improvisation. In this commission Calum will be reworking and connecting the harmonic material of both traditional Gaelic folk song and contemporary jazz. Exploring pedal harp and pedal boards, the Scots Gaelic language and jazz composition.

Suppor ted using publ ic funding by Ar ts Counci l England

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E M P I R I C A L

WHERE /// The Round, the Dukes , Moor Lane . LA1 1QE

WHEN /// Saturday 19thSeptember, 7.30pm


TICKETS /// £12.50BOOKING /// buy from the Dukes Box Office - 01524 598500www.dukes- lancaster.orgin person from the Dukes


Presented in par tnership with The Dukes

Sponsored by Lancaster Brewer y

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L A N C A S T E R J A Z Z F E S T I V A L H E A D L I N E 2 0 1 5

O P E N J A M S E S S I O N

WHERE /// Golden Lion, Moor Lane . LA1 1QE

TICKETS /// FREE

ACCESS /// Wheelchair access by temporar y ramp. The Fest ival Team wil l be avai lable to offer assistance .

Right next door to the Empirical gig and starting only once they’ve finished is our annual open jam session hosted by LJF Artist in Residence, Seth Bennett. Bring an instrument and play till the early hours with the house band or simply join us for a post gig beer or two.

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Nathaniel Facey / alto saxLewis Wr ight / v ibraphoneTom Farmer / double bass

Shaney Forbes / drums

With the release of their 5th studio album this autumn, Empirical show once again why they were dubbed by The Daily Telegraph as “the coolest of Britain’s young jazz bands.”

Now come of age, they are considered one of the UK’s most highly acclaimed jazz outfits, known for producing forward looking, risk taking and creative music. Formed in 2007 as part of the Tomorrow’s Warriors scheme, and settled on the current line-up in 2008. Their excellent tribute to Eric Dolphy, ‘Out ‘n’ In’ (Naim), led to a MOBO award in 2010 for Best Jazz Act and an international touring career which has showed no signs of slowing down.

Their aim to expand on the traditions of Jazz sees them create music both timeless and totally now, inside and out.

S A T 1 9

“Empir ical could turn out to be one of the most impor tant bands in Br it ish Jazz histor y”Jazzwise

S U N 2 0

S U N S Q U A R E S T A G E

WHERE /// Sun Square , Sun Street.LA1 1EW

WHEN /// Sunday 20th September, 12.20pm


TICKETS /// FREE

ACCESS /// Wheelchair accessible

An open air stage in the beautiful Georgian surroundings of Sun Square . Grab a coffee from the Music Room and rec l ine in a deckchair or pop round the corner to the Fest ival Hub at The Sun Hotel to chat with the ar t ists over a couple of beers .

Family fr iendly. Feel free to br ing picnics although please be advised that no alcohol is al lowed in the square .

This is an outdoor event that wi l l go on, rain or shine . In case of severe weather, please refer towww.lancasterjazz.com ortwitter.com/LancasterJazz on Sun 20 Sept for up to the minute information.

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Presented in par tnership withLancaster BID

T H E PA R A D I S E

T R I O

Richard I les /Flugel Horn

Mike Walker / guitarLes Chisnal / piano

The trio builds on Richard’s experience of playing with Mike and Les in varied contexts over the past 25 years. Ideal champions of his music, together they bring a stripped-back approach to his compositions: reflective melodies with rich harmonies – inspired by the Jimmy Guiffre trios of the ’60s – that will inspire the best musical conversations between three musicians very familiar with each other’s playing.

12.20pm

Y E S A S I K Y I

Chelsea Carmichael / tenor sax

Nubya Garcia / tenor saxLi ly Carassik / trumpet

Greg Evain / pianoAr thur O’Hara / bass

Ed Harley / drums

1.40pm

Yesa Sikyi (pronounced - yessa seechee) are a new six piece London based jazz band who met on the jazz course at Trinity College of Muisc. Having recently released their debut EP ‘Out of Earshot’ the group are gaining an increasing following in London and beyond for the repertoire of original tunes and beautiful arrangements of classic standards.

TO R I F R E E S TO N E / A L C YO N A

M I C K3pm

Tor i Freestone /tenor sax/f lute

Alcyona Mick / piano

After working together on the London jazz scene in various large ensembles including the London Jazz Orchestra and then travelling together to work on a project in the Canary Islands in 2014, this duo decided to fuse their unique writing styles and improvisational approaches to explore some new material and contemporary standards. Given their wealth of experience working with unusual instrumentation in a variety of formats, the duo is the ideal setting to blend their unique and distinct voices for a more intimate exploration of engaging and innovative material.

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S U N 2 0

S U N 2 0

T H E H A L L


WHEN /// Sunday 20th September, 11am


TICKETS /// FREE

ACCESS /// Wheelchair accessible via ‘south’ entrance with temporar y ramp. The Fest ival Team wil l be avai lable to offer assistance .

A truly unique mix of ar t ists in Lancaster’s beautiful , br i l l iant and int imate contemporar y cafe run by Lancaster award winning coffee roasters and brewers J . Atkinson & Co. Free entr y but l imited seating.

Presented in par tnership withJ . Atkinson & co.

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S E T H B E N N E T T WO R K S H O P11am

Open to all musicians, Lancaster Jazz Festival’s Artist in Residence 2015 will explore improvisation and group work, communication and developing your

ideas.

G R E W & WAT T S

Stephen Grew / pianoTrevor Watts /

alto & soprano sax

“One of Europe’s most dedicated and imaginative pianists” - mjf, Stephen Grew has worked with many of the leading improvisers of the past twenty year including, Evan Parker, Richard Scott, Keith Tippett and Clark Tracey.Trevor Watts is a legend of improvised music whose work over the past fifty years has included Archie Shepp, Don Cherry, Steve Swallow, Dave Holland and Kenny Wheller.

1pm

WO R D O F M OT H

3.45pm

Dee Byrne / alto saxCath Rober ts /bar itone sax

Seth Bennett /double bass

Tom Greenhalgh / drums

Named after a typo on a funding application, the music is contemporary jazz and off kilter grooves, with a healthy dose of free improvising thrown in. It has the added excitement of being a chordless group, forcing Cath and Dee to come up with innovative and unexpected arrangements of their tunes

C A M E RO N VA L E

2.20pm

Miles Spi lsbur y /saxophone & effects

George Birkett / guitar Sam Dutton-Taylor / bass

& effectsFinn Booth / drums

Formed in Leeds in summer 2013, Cameron Vale is made up of members from diverse musical backgrounds. In their music, they combine improvisation, jazz, rock and electronics with original compositions. Expect a high energy blend of polyrhythms, improvisation and riffage.

Presented in par tnership with Jazz Nor th

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S U N 2 0

L A N C A S T E R J A Z Z F E S T I V A L 2 0 1 5

P R O G R A M M E

F R I 1 89.30am

Jazz BreakfastRober t Gi l low

5.30pmWorkshop: Richard

OrmrodLancaster Brewer y

7.45pmLRGS Big Band

Lancaster Brewer y

8.30pmWorkshop Performance

Lancaster Brewer y

9pmA Dread SupremeLancaster Brewer y

10pmTaupe

Lancaster Brewer y

S AT 1 99.30am


11.30amQ&A: Leo Geyer

The Hal l

12pmJazz Nor th Introduces

Sun Square

12.45pmKhymer ikal

The Hal l

1pmLindsey Hannon Plus

Royal Kings Arms

1.20pmDhakhla Brass

Sun Square

2pmYJC: Calum Mcleod

The Hal l

2.30pmNorVol “How can I run a successful jazz venue?”

Fest ival Hub

2.40pmThunkfish

Sun Square

3.15pmEn Bas Quar tet

The Hal l

4pmBlind Monk Tr io

Sun Square

7.30pmEMPIRIC AL

THE RAKE THE DUKES

10.30pmOpen Jam Session

Golden Lion

S U N 2 09.30am


11amWorkshop: Seth Bennett

The Hal l

12.20pmThe Paradise Tr io

Sun Square

1pmGrew & Watts

The Hal l

1pmBil l ionaires Tr io

Royal Kings Arms

1.40pmYesa Sikyi

Sun Square

2.20pmCameron Vale

The Hal l

3pmTor i Freestone/Alcyona

MickSun Square

3.45pmWord of Moth

The Hal l

Documents

Lancaster jazz festival 2015