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Music fans travel from far and wide to enjoy Newcastle’s Annual Jazz and Blues Festival, which takes place each year over two days at the end of May on the Bank Holiday weekend.

Visitors have come from as far afield as London, Birmingham, Wales, Manchester and even the United States since the event began three years ago.

The festival attracts headline Jazz and Blues performers from this country and the other side of the Atlantic while providing a unique showcase for local talent.

Building on the reputation the town has already established for live local music, organisers are confident that the festival will continue to play a major part in raising the profile of Newcastle.

Ambitious plans are being considered to extend the event. This involves looking to increase the number of days and a greater number of venues.

Selected pubs and cafes provide the core venues, however, St. Giles’ Church in the town centre was the location for the festival launch in 2007. Morning hymns were replaced by jazz music with some real toe-tapping among the pews.

This year, Keele University has been added to the list of musical attractions available by providing an outdoor venue for jazz and blues adjacent to the Students’ Union.

The festival is a joint initiative between Newcastle Borough Council and local licensees, who work together to create a packed, non-stop programme of music.

Headline acts, which have thrilled audiences so far, have included Kent Duchaine, King Pleasure and the Biscuit Boys, The Climax Blues Band, The Jalapenos, The Stumble and Smokehouse Blues.

The majority of performances each year are free but one or two venues sell tickets for the headline acts to control numbers. Visitors are able to wander between venues to enjoy a great cross-section of music.

More details about the programme, bands, venues and performance times are available on the Council’s website www.newcastle-staffs.gov.uk