Can't you hear that beat on music street

THINK of jazz and the imagination might well land you in the middle of Bourbon Street, New Orleans… muse about the blues, then it’s got to be Beale Street, Memphis without a doubt.

But when it comes to both jazz and blues, then maybe think again - and look to Hagley Road in Birmingham. Yes, that’s our Birmingham and not the one in the Deep South, folks.

Mind you, there won’t be a vast difference come the summer because this long, straight road in the Second City – correction, FIRST city when it comes to the hottest sounds – will be the epicentre of the biggest and best annual music event in the Midlands.

And why? Well, that’s because top musicians from around the world performing at this summer’s Birmingham Jazz & Blues Festival will be staying at the city’s luxury Plough & Harrow hotel.

The 18^th century Best Western is the strategically placed venue that has been announced as the official ‘Hotel Partner’ for the festival, which this year will run from Friday, July 24 to Sunday, August 2.

This means that the hotel, on the Hagley Road in Edgbaston, will host musicians from as far afield as America, Asia and Europe - and therefore be right in the middle of all the action.

International stars already booked to stay at the Plough & Harrow include Stacy Mitchhart and B.D. Lenz, both from the USA, Swing Cats from Barcelona, and Andres Roots from Estonia.

Midlands legend and showbiz veteran Jim Simpson, whose Big Bear Music company organises the festival, said: “We’re pleased to have acts confirmed from all over the world, as well as numerous great local and UK performers.

“With so many musicians travelling to Birmingham, we’re delighted that the Plough & Harrow has become our official Hotel Partner.

“The hotel will provide accommodation to visiting musicians as well as to the veritable army of visiting music fans, who like to stay in the same hotel as the jazz and blues stars they have travelled to see and hear.

“The Plough & Harrow will become a real hang-out, a hub of activity within easy reach of the city, with more than 200 hours of jazz, blues and related music on its doorstep.”

Headlining the festival will be King Pleasure and the Biscuit Boys, one of the world’s greatest jump, jive and swing bands.

The band, this year celebrating its 40th anniversary on the road, will play a rare ‘hometown’ gig at the newly refurbished Botanical Gardens Ballroom.

Another headliner will be Lady Sings the Blues, the celebrated tribute to Billie Holiday featuring a galaxy of UK jazz stars, fronted by West Bromwich-born Val Wiseman.

Confirmed band bookings are now over the 100 mark, with other confirmed artists including Alan Barnes, Tipitina, Hit Parade Heroes, The Shufflepack, Rip Roaring Success, The Too Hot Trio, Jump Jive & Wail, Hot Club of Halifax, and James Oliver.

Mr Simpson added: “More bands are being confirmed every week, and with the Plough & Harrow on board, those from outside the Midlands now know they will have somewhere vibrant and comfortable to stay.”

Paul Smyth, general manager at the Plough & Harrow, said: “We’re thrilled to be announced as the official Hotel Partner for the Birmingham Jazz & Blues Festival, supporting what will be an unforgettable celebration of music, creativity and togetherness.

“We will be delighted to welcome performers, visitors and jazz lovers to stay with us, enjoying our hospitality and many performances at our hotel.”

The Plough & Harrow is an historic hotel and former coaching inn dating back to 1704. Among many famous guests were Edward VII, who regularly visited when he was Prince of Wales, and J.R.R. Tolkien, who stayed there in 1916 while recovering from illness during The First World War.

As well as the Plough & Harrow, other festival venues in Birmingham city centre include The Brasshouse, Old Joint Stock, Bacchus Bar, The Wellington, All Bar One, Millennium Point, The Exchange and Winterbourne House.

Venues outside the city will include The Junction in Harborne, the Fighting Cocks in Moseley, New Oscott Village, the No.18 Coffee & Wine Bar in Tamworth, and the Red Lion in West Bromwich.

Last year, the Birmingham Jazz & Blues Festival hosted 179 performances, 166 of them with free admission, in 101 venues, to an audience of nearly 65,000.

This year is the 42^nd consecutive annual festival, and Mr Simpson revealed how funding has already been agreed from Sandwell Council, with several bids at various stages with other potential backers.  

He said: “We aim to make this year’s festival as big, if not bigger, than last year’s, and as always we need more partners to help us make this happen.”

Anyone interested in funding the festival or becoming ‘in kind’ partners or getting involved in one of the many ways can contact Tim Jennings on 0121 454 7020 or at tim@bigbearmusic.com.