Back again for it’s sixth year in the city centre, the festival will offer blues and jazz fans a varied programme of top class national musicians and our excellent regional bands in our delightful Cathedral City.
This festival offers blues and jazz fans a varied programme of top class national musicians and excellent regional bands in our delightful Cathedral City.
This year jazz fans can enjoy music from Some Kinda Wonderful with Noel McCalia & Derek Nash, Dennis Rollins with the Nick Dewhurst Band, Walsall Jazz Orchestra, The Tommaso Starace Quartet, Brass Monkeys, The Ben Holder Band, The Apex Jazz & Swing Band and many more to be announced.
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Dear Customers and supporters,
I and the trustees of Lichfield Arts hope you are all safe and well.
It is with great sadness that we have decided, as a result of government recommendations and continuing uncertainty, to cancel all our events until the end of October. This covers our Fuse, Blues & Jazz and L2F festivals as well as our September and October Guildhall concerts.
We have had extremely supportive responses from the artistes affected, and hope to rebook and welcome them – and you – in 2021. We’re also exploring ways to present some special ‘end of lockdown’ events to welcome the return of live music.
In the meantime, we are doing our best to offer online entertainment from our booked artistes and others, as well as finding ways of presenting online shows featuring local musicians. Please check our Facebook page for updates.
As a well-run charity with relatively low overheads we will get though these difficult times. Nonetheless the cancellations will reduce our income considerably. We would therefore be truly grateful for any financial support you could give through a donation or by becoming a member.
If you have booked tickets for any of our cancelled events, please send an email to info@lichfieldarts.org.uk and someone will be in touch to discuss your options.
Thanks and best wishes.
Jeff Fowler
Lichfield Arts Chair, on behalf of Lichfield Arts Trustees
It seems only yesterday that the idea of a blues and jazz festival was suggested back in 1990 and now 30 years and at least 300 bands later we still offer blues and jazz fans a varied programme of top class national musicians and excellent regional bands in our delightful cathedral city.
This year it is no different. Jazz fans can enjoy music from traditional, gypsy jazz to swing plus funk and big band to the wonderful music of Sevie Wonder. Blues fans can enjoy the popular and distinctive rocky blues of the Rebecca Downes Band, good time blues from The Goodfellas, the mind-blowing soulful blues of rising star Georgia van Etten and everyone’s favourite, the Emma Jonson Band. Sunday will see a more acoustic day with the evergreen Steve Ajao plus Blue Void and to finish off the more rocky, local favourites Alfi Romeo Band. Main venues for the festival will again be Lichfield Guildhall and the Cathedral Hotel.
So come along for the whole weekend, a day or a single concert. Simply relax and enjoy!
Thursday 28th May 2020
Walsall Jazz Orchestra
We open the festival with a dedication to the memory of John Hughes who founded this wonderful big band some forty years ago.
Friday 29th May 2020
Rebecca Downes Band
Get ready for a great night of blues performed by one of the Midlands finest bands.
Dennis ‘The Creative Menace’ Rollins & Nick Dewhurst Band
These two very funky musicians first met in 2005 when the Netherstowe School Big Band had a two day workshop with the master trombonist.
Saturday 30th May 2020
Emma Jonson Band
Since her first appearance at the festival some years ago this, much-in-demand, talented pianist has been wowing audiences across the UK, Europe and beyond.
Georgia van Etten
Australian born Georgia has wowed audiences from Australia to all the major European festivals.
GoodFellas Blues Band
This five-piece Staffordshire band play fiery and guitar based blues from a varied pallete of material by the likes of BB King, Blues Breakers, Gary Moore and Joe Bonamassa plus their own original music.
The Brass Monkeys
What’s in a name? This is an eclectic, brassy band whose influences include jazz, blues, reggae, soul and much more.
Roy Sainsbury’s Rhythm Chiefs
This band comprise some of the Midlands finest musicians who play music from the era of Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald to the sounds of the Count Basie Band.
Tommaso Starace Quartet
A great start to a day of excellent jazz with one of Lichfield’s favourite saxophonists bringing his very talented quartet to the festival
Sunday 31st May 2020
The Noel McCalla/Derek Nash Band
The Noel McCalla/Derek Nash Band presents Some Kinda Wonderful What better way to finish off the festival than celebrating the genius of Stevie Wonder
Apex Jazz & Swing Band
This fine experienced six-piece band led by leader Robin Mason (clarinet/saxes), Jon Stone (trumpet/vocals) Ron Hill (trombone), Nick Wiltshire (keyboard), Bob Boucher (double bass) and Jin Harney (drums)
Ben Holder Band plus Julian Marc Stringle
Ben is one of most exciting and gifted jazz violinists to appear on the Uk scene. He brings along his very talented quartet of Jez Cooke (guitar), Paul Jefferies (double bass) and Nick Milward (drums).
Alfi Romeo Band
This popular local band are Simon Phelps (lead guitar), Gary Mackay (guitar/vocals), Terry Hurly (bass) and Nigel Jones (drums).
Robert Jackson
Back again after last year’s performance this excellent finger-picking guitarist with his fine vocals and blues harp, influenced by the likes of Peter Green and Eric Clapton, will simply enthral you.
Blue Void
This talented duo are Derek Bo Ridley (vocals/slide guitar) and Phil Jackson (harmonica/vocals).
Steve Ajao
Steve will be your master of ceremonies for the afternoon and will start off proceedings.
Wade Street Church FREE Festival Church Service
Wade Street Church FREE Festival Church Service Now very much part of the festival.