The line-up has been revealed for Bristol International Jazz and Blues Festival 2015. The festival takes place between Thursday, March 5th to Sunday, March 8th at Colston Hall, Colston Street, Bristol and boasts a programme of over 40 concerts, workshops and jam sessions.

Friday March 6th Following the incredible success of last year’s Big Swing Dance, the 17-piece Bruce Ilett Big Band and Ray Gelato & The Giants will transport Colston Hall back to an era when swing reigned supreme for an evening of jiving, lindy-hopping and jitterbugging.

Saturday, March 7th The Big Buzzard Boogie Band along with vocalist Lillian Boutte and a huge chorus will be celebrating Cartoon Jazz! From the The Jungle Book to Frozen, Mary Poppins to Toy Story; Cartoon Jazz will feature songs from the greatest family movies of all time as you’ve never heard them before.

On Saturday afternoon saxophonist Andy Sheppard will be joined by guitarist Eivind Aarset, double bass virtuoso Michel Benita and percussionist Michele Rabbia for the UK premier of Andy's new ECM album due for release in spring 2015.

Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings featuring the Average White Band’s James Stuart and vocalist Beverley Skeete will headline the festival on Saturday. 

On Sunday The New Orleans Takeover will pay tribute to the spiritual home of jazz and blues with three specially curated concerts.

Louis Armstrong played Colston Hall over 50 years ago and in 2015 his music will make a long-awaited return to the venue for The Louis Armstrong Story. For this unmissable show, The Louis Armstrong Museum has given us exclusive access to some of Satchmo’s original big band compositions which haven’t been played since 1947.

Featuring a 17-piece band comprised of Bristol’s finest musicians, guest vocalists and soloists from New Orleans along with The Wire’s Clarke Peters reading from Armstrong’s personal letters and autobiography, this unique tribute will celebrate the great Satchmo as the single most important influence in jazz history.

In the second of our New Orleans Takeover concerts, the legendary Pee Wee Ellis, who was part of James Brown’s original horn section, and Fun Lovin’ Criminals frontman Huey Morgan will inject some funk into the festival! Backed by Ellis’s own Funk Assembly  featuring a stellar line-up which includes Tony Remy, Gareth Williams, Laurence Cottle and Mark Mondesir 

Closing the festival on Sunday night, is Dr.John bringing his unique blend of bluesy rhythms, funk and voodoo flair all the way from New Orleans.

Other artists confirmed for The Lantern are Django A La Creole, Matt Schofield & Slowly Rolling Camera to name just a few.

With a brand new programme of fringe events on Thursday, March 5; a full line-up of free gigs and jam sessions in Colston Hall throughout the festival and a series of music master-classes with some of the festival’s star performers in The Folk House and the Bristol International Jazz & Blues Festival 2015 the festival is shaping up to be one of their best yet!

Tickets on sale via the official box office here or call 0844 887 1500