Darlington Jazz Festival is aiming to be back this April (21 – 24), bringing its usual array of live performances to venues across the town. The festival, now in its fifth year, continues to go from strength to strength, providing a platform for local and national talent and allowing North East audiences to experience a range of exciting 'live' jazz and big band acts. 

This year we aim to make the festival accessable to many more people with free performances during the Saturday afternoon at a host of venues across the town centre which will give the shoppers a taste of the weekend. We are also including a performance (Sunday) at the iconic St Cuthbert's Church which will blend choirs and big bands. However, all this comes at a cost and although many musicians are playing for free, there are still expenses such as: venue costs, rehearsal venues, insurance, generators, marquees to provide...

The money raised will go towards securing another fantastic weekend of live music and help massively to creating a carnival/festival atmosphere in the town centre much of which will be free to the public.  

The festival kicks off with a workshop on Thursday (21st April) with local musicians of all ages and abilities invited to learn from one of the festival’s headliners, Darlington-born Matt Roberts. Roberts will then take to the stage on Friday to lead his own group, already prominent on the London Jazz scene.

Trombonist, Dennis Rollins is well known on the national and international jazz scene and will be joined by multi-instrumentalist Al Wood and the Durham Alumni Big Band. The festival rounds off on Sunday with more acts performing across town centre venues.

Darlington Jazz Festival said:

“The region can be really proud of the fantastic musicians it’s producing and the festival is a great opportunity to show them off alongside their national counterparts. 

“By bringing the festival to multiple venues, more people can experience the great music and atmosphere Darlington Jazz Festival has to offer.

“Last year’s festival was a huge success and saw the hard work of organisers and musicians rewarded with sell-out audiences.  We’re hoping for more of the same this year.”

Find ‘Darlington Jazz Club’ on Facebook and Twitter for regular updates on acts, venues and more. For further information or sponsorship opportunities, email darlingtonjazzfestival@live.com. Even if you can't attend but feel that you want to contribute to this cause please help to put a sparkle into Darlington.