Jazz Festival postpones to October

Pandemic causes delay to long-running event.

The Birmingham, Sandwell & Westside Jazz Festival, held annually across the region since 1985, has been forced by Covid19 to postpone from the scheduled July dates to October 16th to 25th 2020.

This, the 36th edition of the festival known internationally for its mostly-free programme of good time jazz, blues, swing and rhythm & blues will again present performances in unusual places: museums, libraries, shopping areas, public squares, canals, a furniture store as well as in bars, cafes and hotels.

And as always there’s more. A lot more.

there will be ree litterbug and lindy hop dance sessions, harmonica, photography and ukulele workshops open to all ages, the famous Texas Harmonica Rumble, a Make and Play Cigar Box Guitar session, a Sketch Crawl and a Barbershop Quartet – in a barbershop. There will be an exhibition of jazz festival photography, talks, discussions, Q&A sessions and music appearing in the most surprising places.

The Leader of Birmingham City Council, Cllr Ian Ward,commented,[The festival] is an opportunity to come and see top class live music in clubs, open spaces and bars around the city, and just have a great time.”

While comedian Jasper Carrott added: “The cultural side just lifts Birmingham’s standing wherever you go in Britain. It’s a renowned jazz festival right in the centre of England that’s been going for 35 years, and no-one can match that.”

Once again, this time in October, right here in the heart of The West Midlands, the good times are back, ready again to rock and roll.