The Hull Jazz Festival next month features alto saxophone funk jazz legend Pee Wee Ellis heading a line-up of featured international artists for the 2010 festival, which will take place from 11-18 July. The festival includes over 100 musicians and takes place in venues across Hull, including the Pave Café Bar, Goodfellowship, the Hull Truck Theatre, and the Marina Boatshed.

Other bookings include Evan Christopher and UK-based trumpeter Abram Wilson, the Rango Collective from Egypt, the Renato d’Aiello Quartet from Italy, Asere Cuban All-Stars, and Jazz Flamenco with Chico Pere from Spain. UK artists for Hull this year include saxophonist Alan Barnes, singer Louise Gibbs, guitarist Jim Mullen, 7 Pieces of Silver, and the UK Mingus Collective.

Also featured as part of the festival is the Hull Jazz Summer School, which takes place from 13-15 July, and culminates on the 15th with afternoon masterclasses for saxophonists and vocalists by Barnes and Gibbs and an evening performance by the students. The summer school is co-sponsored by the festival and East Riding College.

This year’s festival comes to a climax from 16-18 July featuring special performances by Django à la Créole with Evan Christopher, the Abram Wilson Group, and the Pee Wee Ellis Jazz Assembly. There will also be four performances on the Waterfront, including big band music from the Asere Cuban All-Stars, East Coast Big Band, and the City of Hull Youth Orchestra, as well as celebrations on 17 July to welcome the boats from the 2009/10 Clipper Around the World Yacht Race.

– Nivedita Sarnath

For more go to www.hulljazzfestival.co.uk