Be a Jazz Volunteer (in Birmingham)

(Press release)

Calling all music fans – fancy being a volunteer for one of the world’s largest jazz fests right here on your doorstep?

The organisers of the annual Birmingham Jazz and Blues Festival are on the lookout for hands-on volunteers to help distribute programmes for next month’s musical extravaganza that will see 177 live performances in 78 venues – most of them for free.

Now in its 31st year, the 10-day event, which runs from Friday, July 3 to Sunday, July 12, attracts some of the biggest names in the jazz world with musicians from Australia, Czech Republic, France, Luxembourg, Lithuania, Sweden and the USA alongside top UK talent.

Director Jim Simpson said: “Volunteers play a big role in the festival line-up and we are always on the lookout for spare pairs of hands to helps us distribute the programme.

“This year promises to be one of our most exciting festivals to date with a daily average of 36 hours of free jazz and blues across the whole of the 10 days and we’d like to spread that message as wide as possible.

“If anyone would like to volunteer please get in touch with the festival team it’s a fantastic event that brings together jazz superstars from across the globe and we just want everyone to come along and join the fun.”

International acts making their UK debuts include Stockholm Stompers (Sweden), Hot Jazz Alliance (USA/Australia), The Schwings featuring Laura Budreckyte (Lithuania) and Sarah Lenka (France), while domestic newcomers the much-acclaimed Harpers Ferry, Malaya Blue, Blues Engine and emerging songstress Ella Squirrell join the festival line-up. Returning Euro-favourites include Florence Joelle (France), Pepper & The Jellies (Italy) and Saxitude (Luxembourg).

For full programme details visit www.birminghamjazzfestival.com

The jam-packed programme also includes:

• Music in Surprising Places will take in New Street and Snow Hill stations, Selfridges, Gracechurch Centre, a canal boat, libraries and restaurants

• A pop-up dance hall, at Regency Wharf, off Broad Street and The Dark Horse, Moseley

• Free music workshops for youngsters, with eight instrument sessions at Birmingham Music School ranging from Beginner Guitar to An Interactive History of Hip Hop

• A record fair, talks and photographic exhibitions, plus 19 film screenings, including the Midlands premiere of the Amy Winehouse documentary, Amy, at the Electric Cinema.

• Performances by the Chinese Jitterbug Squad at various venues throughout the festival

• Drum masterclass with Peter York, founder member of the Spencer Davis Group

• Three-day Holiday in Birmingham tribute marking the centenary of blues legend Billie Holiday.

Further information available from Festival Director Jim Simpson:

Birmingham Jazz and Blues Festival, Po Box 944, Birmingham, B16 8UT
Tel: 0121 454 7020 - www.bigbearmusic.com - admin@bigbearmusic.com