Having A Ball At Burton Agnes Jazz Festival

It wasn’t the best of starts.

Within minutes of driving into the sodden, mud churned grass in our motorhome in sheeting rain - we were stuck in the mud at the 17th Burton Agnes Jazz & Blues Festival.

Fortunately we didn’t need the services of a local tractor which had been busy rescuing not-so-happy campers before our arrival.

Once set up on our pitch, like true British stoics, we were geared up to defy the bad weather for a feast of talent which, unlike the weather, never disappoints.

Tempting festival goers out of their tents and mobile homes of all shapes and sizes were the fabulous AJB3 – a trio led by Ajay Bebop on vocals and double bass, Wisdom Udensi on keys and Gabe Weber on drums.

Powering bebop into the 2020s, the group who are making their mark on the Manchester jazz scene were applauded and appreciated as the perfect festival opener.

Hailed as ‘The new master of the slide guitar’ at the Montreux Jazz Festival - and lauded by Ronnie Woods as ‘keeping the flag flying,’ - the festival was treated to songwriter and guitar player, Jack Brodbent.

Learning his craft from, and accompanied at the festival by, his musician father who took him to folk clubs and acoustic nights, Jack’s colourful past saw him rise from busking on city streets to touring with icons such as Ronnie Wood and Peter Frampton.

The compelling, gutsy, blues musician - with his prized 1965 vintage Hofner guitars, six albums under his belt and trademark whiskey flask slide - is mesmerising and packs an emotional punch.

The magnificence of the hall and gardens backdrop throughout the day, and especially when resplendent at night, makes this event beyond special for the performers and returning audience. A compulsory element of the Jazz & Blues Festival is letting your hair down in the beer tent as the pace revved up for The Ragpickers ragtime and country Blues trio from Beverley whose combined nine Blues Music Award nominations over the years are extremely well deserved.

Blowing everyone’s socks off to end the evening in style were instrumental acoustic guitar duo Farino who transported me back to the magic of flamenco redolent of Granada.

Comprising John on lead guitar and Karl on rhythm guitar, their high octane performance also spanned Latin and Jazz guitar, leaving us all buzzing as we negotiated the mud and looked forward to the following day’s line up packed with talent, laughter and entertainment.

Singin’ in the rain: great British stoics

The Burton Agness Jazz & Blues Festival is on until Sunday July 14. For more information visit www.burtonagnes.com If you’re joining us, don’t forget your wet weather gear!