Jazz and blues bonanza hits Second City

ONE of the Midlands’ biggest annual music events got off to a rocking start as the 41^st Birmingham Jazz and Blues festival hit the ground running.

With a soundtrack provided by classic rock ‘n’ roll band Hit Parade Heroes, organisers, sponsors and general supporters rallied behind festival director Jim Simpson to assure guests at a packed launch party that this year’s festival was once again going to cut the musical mustard.

Local celebrities mingled with journalists and guests at the Hilton Garden Inn, Brunswick Square, Birmingham to hear the director announce that despite the financial challenges, the festival was nevertheless all set to be its usual success.

Festival supremo Jim Simpson said: “I know there’s been some speculation about the future of our much-loved Jazz and Blues Festival, so I’d like to assure everyone that this, the 41st year of the festival is absolutely going ahead from today (July 18) to the 27^th.

“It features 178 performances – more than 95 per cent of them completely free to attend – across 103 venues in Sandwell, Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Sutton Coldfield and Solihull.

“These performances feature top class musicians from across the UK, France, Italy, USA, New Zealand and Sweden.”

Music lovers will be spoiled for choice over the 10 days of the festival, as pubs and other venues come alive to the sound of classic jazz, bebop, boogie-woogie, swing, jump-jive and all forms of blues, from big city band format to earthy Mississippi Delta styles, featuring cigar box guitars and wailing mouth harps.

Jim said: “This festival is a celebration of live music, community, and resilience – and in challenging times, that spirit shines even brighter. While it’s true that Birmingham City Council made the difficult decision to withdraw arts funding for 2024/25, and we have also experienced the loss of support from Westside BID this year, amounting to a combined shortfall of £45,000, our response has been to push forward with renewed purpose.

“The support we have received has been nothing short of inspiring. We are grateful to Sandwell Council and the Musicians’ Union, whose unwavering backing has been essential to our continued success. And we are delighted to welcome on board West Midlands Combined as a major sponsor.

“Your support has also been extraordinary. Through our GoFundMe campaign, individuals and fans of the festival have been stepping up to contribute, helping secure our future – whether through small donations or simply by spreading the word.”

Jim added that last year, despite the sudden and significant funding cuts – which coincided, ironically, with the festival’s 40th consecutive year – the festival chose to celebrate “louder and larger than ever before”.

That festival delivered 239 performances, 230 of them free, in 120 venues to nearly 88,000 people. No other event in this region can match that track record, he said. However, he sounded a word of warning.

“Thanks to a mix of funding, generous donations, and a personal loan I’ve taken out to safeguard the event, I’m proud to confirm that this 2025 festival is secure and will proceed as planned.

“That said, we can’t do this alone. The long-term future of this unique event depends on meaningful investment from cultural, business, and arts organisations. If you or your company can help, we’d love to talk,” he said.