Jazz Preview: Pickering sticking to the traditional repertoire

Why should it? Every year fans from all over the country and overseas – America, Australia, Germany – gather in the 150-seat Memorial Hall to bask in the strains of music which carries the imprint of the early jazz pioneers.

"We have tried introducing more contemporary sounds but the reaction was not encouraging so we have stayed with traditional jazz," said Janet Howard, chairman of the Pickering Jazz Society and daughter of the late Joe Passey, a co-founder of the event 22 years ago.

"For many of our supporters, it's like an annual reunion, almost a family gathering. There are so many dying arts out there. These things have to be preserved. It's just a matter of getting the younger generation on board."

This year's programme begins with Richard Leach's 7 Stars of Jazz on Monday, followed, on a nightly basis, by the Amy Roberts Band, Spirit of New Orleans, the Yorkshire Stompers, the Wirr Orleans Jazz Band and the Gambit Jazzmen.

Meanwhile, upholding the virtues which Pickering holds dear, Acker Bilk and his Paramount Jazz Band will play at Harrogate Theatre tomorrow night.