TEMPERANCE SEVEN

On Friday evening, the 2008 Festival will be launched with impeccable style by a welcome return of the fabulous Temperance Seven. One of the great names in British jazz for over forty years, the Temperance Seven always provide an entertainment highlight ... as well as presenting some really good jazz as well.

CLAIRE MARTIN

Claire has long been considered the finest British jazz singers of her generation and over recent years she has been attracting a significant worldwide reputation. Of her performance in the States last year, one reviewer said "“A world-class performer, offering proof-positive that jazz can be sung in a British accent” Claire will be performing at the Marsden Mechanics on Saturday evening.

SNAKE DAVIS

Snake Davis is perhaps the most in-demand saxophonists in the British circuit at the moment. As resident saxophonist on "Tonight With Jonathon Ross" he played with the likes of, James Brown, Smokey Robinson, Chaka Khan and many more. Be prepared to enter a land where funk meets soul meets jazz on Sunday afternoon in the Marsden Mechanics

EMPIRICAL

One of the hottest properties in British Jazz today, Empirical have been getting rave reviews from both the jazz press and fellow performers. When giving the bands' debut CD, its British Album of the Year Award, Jazzwise said that "Empirical could turn out to be one of the most important bands in UK jazz history". Hear them in the Marsden Mechanics on Saturday afternoon.