THE countdown in on for a four day jazz and blues weekender.

Jazz Jurassica takes place in Lyme Regis over the forthcoming Spring Bank Holiday weekend from May 24 to 27.

This year festival organisers promise an ambitious roster of gospel, blues, brass, soul and swing.

Headliners include Kick Ass Brass, a funky brass supergroup, Laurence Jones, dubbed the new Eric Clapton and Powerhouse Gospel Choir, a hip-shaking female gospel choir. Alongside, Equinor Big Band, a 23-piece band from Norway, promise to give the king of swing, Duke Ellington, a run for his money and festival favourites Matt Carter and Leigh Coleman put Stevie Wonder in the spotlight.

Brass super-group, Kick Ass Brass, which includes some of the country’s top jazz and funk musicians, will open the festival on Friday at Marine Theatre. With ten musicians in the line-up, Kick Ass pumps out a big sound from a large horn section including saxophones, trumpet and trombone, plus pulsating rhythms from piano, guitar, bass and drums.

Julie Sheppard, the organiser, said, “You can’t have a jazz festival without brass so we thought we’d really go for it. Kick Ass Brass is a big banging funky brass band with pounding soul classics at its heart. A really special show for our opening night.”

The blues guitarist, Laurence Jones, returns to Lyme Regis with a new band in tow and a clutch of new recordings to promote. He’s a four-times British Blues Award winner and tipped for future stardom. He’s known for his electrifying live performances which help seal his reputation as one of the most exciting artists on the British blues circuit.

Powerhouse Gospel Choir are expected to live up to their name, setting pulses racing and spirits soaring with their gutsy renditions of traditional and contemporary secular songs. Many are former members of the acclaimed London Community Gospel Choir and have since gone onto work with the likes of Quincy Jones, Pharrell Williams and Florence and the Machine.

“The diverse mix of music is deliberate. We aim to attract dedicated jazzers but also those who would never consider going to a festival with “jazz” in the title. We’re trying to break down a few musical barriers”, said Julie.

The festival will include 40 live acts over the weekend, many involving young local musicians, alongside the on-gong collaboration with youth music charity B Sharp’s Busking Festival on the Saturday. Many events are free on the seafront and in venues around the town.

The festival is very much part of the community with all the events taking place in the town rather than on a green field site. Apart from the Marine Theatre, some of the town’s hotels and restaurants will be hosting events including Swim, The Nag’s Head, Mariners Hotel and the iconic Royal Lion Hotel in the high street.

*Jazz Jurassica, Lyme Regis, May 24 to 27. Buy tickets from jazzjurassica.co.uk