IMAGES: Jazz returns to Upton
The sound of music returned to Upton this weekend with jazz filling the town’s bars and pubs.
With the cancellation of the annual Upton Jazz Festival for the second year in a row, organizers were able to ensure the city does not go another year without live music with the Upton Day of Jazz on Saturday, October 2.
Visitors were treated to music at five of the city’s venues, despite the gloomy weather doing its best to cool people down.
The one-day festival was kicked off with performances by the Gloucester Youth Jazz and the Worcestershire Youth Jazz Orchestra.
Organizer Jon Parsons said: “Parents and grandparents were delighted to see their talented youngsters on stage after the challenges of the past eighteen months.”
Festival goers filled Upton’s pubs and cafes all day long, with plenty of hotel room reservations or camping arrangements to stay overnight.
Kyle Hassall is the owner of three of the venues involved in the event; Bar 7, The boathouse and Mojitos.
He said: “It was great to have signs, albeit on a smaller scale, of festivals returning to Upton.
“We have missed the live music and have found a very responsive venue at all of our live music events over the past few months, it really brings people smiles and brings the ‘buzz’ back to Upton.”
Among the artists who took to the stage were Touch of Jazz from Malvern, Manteca from Stroud and Tunehead from Gloucestershire.
Oliver Carpenter, currently a member of Mumbo Jumbo and previously of Upton Blues, commented on the pleasure of returning to perform in front of a live audience and hoped that Upton and its festivals would return to song next year. He congratulated the halls for taking up the challenge, supporting Jazz and encouraging the return of live music.
Speaking ahead of the event, Malvern Hills District Councilor Daniel Walton, Tourism and Economic Development Portfolio Holder, said: “We are really proud to support this event and look forward to seeing the city filled with residents and visitors alike enjoy free music and great atmosphere.
“We have provided £ 2,500 from the ERDF Welcome Fund which provides free access to all sites and will also help encourage visitation in the city. ”
The Jazz Festival will return in its entirety on the last weekend of June 2022.