A FOUR-DAY jazz and blues spectacular will be going ahead in May, subject to Covid restrictions.

Organisers have announced the Jazz Jurassica festival in Lyme Regis will go ahead at the end of May. say organisers.

Jazz Jurassica hopes to kick off this year’s post-lockdown summer festival season with a bumper line up, featuring performers and sounds from around the globe.

The festival successfully applied for a grant from the Arts Council in December to ensure the festival would be financially viable, since social distancing regulations will mean a smaller audience and therefore smaller ticket sale revenues.

Having received the funding, organisers are confident they can press ahead and hold the event over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend, from Friday, May 28 to Monday, May 31.

The team behind the festival have come to this decision following the government's announcement of the potential reopening of indoor venues across the country on May 17, subject to change depending on Covid figures at the time.

Last year's festival had to be cancelled as a result of the coronavirus crisis.

This year’s line-up features exuberant Afro-Cuban music, gritty blues from the Mississippi Delta, New Orleans boogie-woogie, vintage ragtime and 60s soul, and much more, says Julie Sheppard, its director.

Julie Sheppard, director of Jazz Jurassica, said: “We’ve chosen a diverse mix of music to attract those who’d never consider going to a “jazz” festival.

"And we’ve sourced music from around the world, so even if you can’t jet away to exotic shores just yet, you’ll be able to enjoy the sounds of the Caribbean, New Orleans and Mississippi on your doorstep”

"There’ll be over a hundred musicians playing over the weekend and lots of music to enjoy for free."

She added: "It’s been a difficult eighteen months for festivals, and we aim to make up for it. As a small independent festival, in an iconic location, we’ll blaze a trail for live music over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend”.

“Tickets are now on sale and the full programme is up on our website. We can’t wait for the return of live music."

Programme highlights include a seventeen piece Latin big band, Martin Harley’s new electric blues and a show-stopping soul music revue recreating the 60s and 70s favourite soul classics.

Because of social distancing the number of tickets will be halved compared with previous years. The team are advising people to book as soon as possible to ensure they don't miss out. Full and automatic refunds are guaranteed should the event be cancelled.

To purchase your tickets or for further information, visit www.jazzjurassica.co.uk