Yorkshire village takes on traditional jazz clubs at national awards

(Press release)

A West Yorkshire village will take on traditional jazz clubs for the title of ‘venue of the year’ at a national jazz awards ceremony later this year.

Marsden Jazz Festival has made it through to the final of the prestigious Parliamentary Jazz Awards in London and has been shortlisted in the venue of the year category alongside jazz clubs in Bristol, Dorking and Brighton.

The festival takes place in 25 venues in Marsden during the second weekend in October, including a 19th century Mechanics Hall, two churches and an outdoor stage on a bridge over the River Colne.

This year’s headliners include the all-female Crissy Lee Orchestra, re-imaginings of 70s and 80s pop hits with the Beverley Beirne Quintet and Mercury Prize 2019 nominees SEED Ensemble, who will bring the festival to a close at 6pm on Sunday 13th October.

Luca Manning, who has been nominated for ‘Jazz Newcomer of the Year’ at the Parliamentary Jazz Awards, will also be among the dozens for artists performing free gigs in Marsden’s pubs and clubs throughout the festival weekend.

Barney Stevenson, Artistic Director at Marsden Jazz Festival, said:

“We’re delighted to be the only festival to be nominated for venue of the year at the Parliamentary Jazz Awards and are keeping our fingers crossed for the ceremony in December. We already know how much the festival means to the thousands of people who come to Marsden every year to experience the unique atmosphere it brings to the village, but it’s great to get national recognition as well. We’ve got another amazing line-up planned for this year’s festival so we’d definitely encourage anyone who hasn’t been before to give it a go.”

This year’s Marsden Jazz Festival will once again feature a hugely popular street parade and battle of the bands on Saturday afternoon, family-friendly events and a ‘street food alley’ as well as over 80 gigs.

The festival takes place between Friday 11th and Sunday 13th October, and tickets are on sale now at www.marsdenjazzfestival.com. Half price tickets are also available for under-30s and children up to the age of 16 can see each of this year’s headliners for just £1.