THE 30th Swanage Jazz Festival has launched this year's programme with an array of well known names and a strong supporting cast of regional talent.

Festival chair, Paul Kelly said: “Swanage Jazz Festival has always attracted a good crowd to this picturesque seaside town and created a jazz family atmosphere. In spite of having to scale back a bit this year, we are delighted to present another strong and wide-ranging programme of outstanding talent. It’s going to be a great weekend that jazz enthusiasts really should not miss.”

Headlining the two-day festival on Saturday, July 13 are Swanage favourites Gilad Atzmon and The Orient House Ensemble, The David Newton-Art Themen Duo, The Nigel Price Quartet and Greg Abate with the Craig Milverton Trio.

On Sunday, headliners include the sextet Hexagonal performing their tribute to McCoy Tyner and Bheki Mseleku, fast-rising singer Sara Dowling and her Quartet, popular vibes man Roger Beaujolais and Bossa Nova specialist Earl Okin.

Swanage has always hosted a wide-ranging programme straddling both traditional and contemporary jazz and the traditional aspects continue to be supported with sets from John Maddocks Jazzmen, Mike Denham’s Riverboat Four and younger adherents like The Dime Notes and The FB Pocket Orchestra.

The programme features at least 40 bands and the new organising committee have taken the opportunity of featuring some high quality regional talent including the Art Blakey inspired Sound of Blue Note, Tenor sax player Ian Ellis, described by the late Sir John Dankworth as ‘outstanding’, the South African-flavoured Philip Clouts Trio, the Afro-beat focussed Thokozile and the electric jazz-funk sounds of Harry Skinner’s Funkasaurus.

The full 2019 festival programme is viewable on the website and Facebook page.

The Festival Early Bird tickets sold out in less than two hours. Advance Weekend Stroller tickets are priced at £75 with day tickets priced at £45. These prices will rise to £85 and £50 from July 1. Some individual concerts may be available on the day, subject to availability.

Tickets are available online from swanagejazzfestival.co.uk, or the Swanage Tourist Information Centre, the town’s Mowlem Theatre or by post from: Dave Roper, Treasurer, Swanage Jazz Festival 10 Globe Close, Swanage BH19 2RF.