Daughter of jazz legends one of headline acts at festival

The grounds of the elegant Elizabethan hall play host to three days of music over August 5 to August 7 and organiser and sax-playing owner Simon Cunliffe-Lister is again promising a “something for everyone” experience.

Jacqui, daughter Sir John Dankworth and singing star Dame Cleo Laine, last year performed with the legendary Marvin Hamlisch in New York to a standing ovation, and will be appearing on Saturday evening, while Martin – who has recorded with artists as diverse as Sir Richard Rodney Bennett, Curtis Stigers and even Noel Gallagher – will appear on the Sunday.

This year a cap of 1,500 has been put on tickets to try to keep the atmosphere relaxed and friendly. The setting –the main stage is on the Hall’s lawn and has rolling fields as a backdrop – has been described as “beautifully serene.”

Simon, who will play out the festival, along with co-organiser singer Saffron Byass, said: “We are very protective over the festival. We love the atmosphere and we get such a warm positive response, we don’t want to overcrowd it.

“We like to involve local actors and performers but also have some wonderful national if not international jazz stars. Jacqui definitely fits the bill, and it’s great having names that people from across the UK will have heard of and be keen to see. We had Clare Teal last year, who is of similar ilk to Claire Martin. She presents a weekly jazz show on Radio 3 and has many successful albums.”

Tickets are available at www.burtonagnes.com and from the festival office on 01262 490 324.