A Worcestershire music festival has sold 40 per cent of its tickets just days after they went on sale.
Upton Jazz Festival takes place on June 24 and 25 with bands including Ben Holder’s Hot Club Quartet and Jake Leg Jug Band set to perform.
But jazz fans are being warned to act early to avoid missing out on the festival’s ticketed events.
“We don’t want people to be calling up in May and June and be disappointed,” said Jon Parsons, one of the festival organisers.
“Tickets have been going well so far and last year we had sold out by April, so there’s a good chance we will sell out again.
“We have a loyal band of jazz lovers who have been coming here for 20 or 30 years - and we know that hotels, B&Bs and camping sites all sell out.”
As well as ticketed concerts, the jazz festival programme features a range of free gigs taking place in pubs and cafes around Upton.
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“We did this last year and it’s a great way of supporting the local economy,” said Jon. “It also means that if people don’t want to come for a whole weekend of jazz, they can come and enjoy a day or even just a couple of hours.
“People can just pitch up, find somewhere to sit for their drinks, their pizza or whatever, and listen to a range of music.
“We are broadening the range of music we put on and despite the image some people have of jazz, we have music that will put a smile on your face.”
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Asked who he was most excited to see perform live in Upton this summer, Jon said: “Ben Holder filled the Memorial Hall last year and got three uproarious standing ovations. He is a top, top virtuoso violin player.
“I’m also a big fan of the Tenement Jazz Band.
“Even among the free concerts we have Jeremy Huggett’s Boogie Band. The fact we are giving people the chance to see them for free is just lovely.”
Weekend tickets are £65 and are available from the Upton Jazz Festival website.
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