Porthcawl Jazz Festival - April 17-19

Alan Barnes and Kenny Ball are among the attractions of the 2009 Porthcawl Jazz Festival, which takes place from Friday 17 to Sunday 19 April.

Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen open proceedings on the Friday night at the Grand Pavilion, while Saturday's programme kicks off with a Jazz Workshop presented by the quartet Blue Chip in the Pavilion at midday.

Throughout the afternoon, six leading local bands will be on offer at the Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl Hotel and Brentwood Hotel, venues situated within two hundred metres of each other. Appearing will be the Dominic Norcross Quartet, Keith Little Trio, Lewis Clement Quartet, Jigsaw, Liberty Street Jazz Band and Round the Horn.

The Saturday programme culminates with a Gala Performance in the Pavilion at 7pm featuring Alan Barnes, the Capital City Jazz Orchestra and special guests from the USA, Janice Mitchell, Jim Beishline, B D Lenz, James Rosocha and Josh Orlando.

Trinity Church will be holding a Jazz Service at 11am on the Sunday followed by a free-entry Jazz Brunch at the Hi-Tide Inn, where the Liberty Street Jazz Band will be playing from12.30 until 3pm.

The Festival winds down at the Grand Pavilion Cafe Bar with the James Chadwick Trio from 3.30 until 5.30pm.

Tickets from £5 are available from the Grand Pavilion box office on 01656 815995.

For more details see www.porthcawl-jazz-festival.com

Meanwhile organisers of the event are also involved in plans to ensure the Brecon Jazz Festival goes ahead this year, following concern at plans by the Arts Council of Wales to postpone the event till 2010.