Comedy legend Jasper Carrott declared himself a proud Brummie as he helped to officially launch this year’s Birmingham Jazz & Blues Festival.
Wise-cracking Jasper was invited to be a guest speaker at the launch of the 39th festival, held at The Rep theatre in Centenary Square, on Friday 14 July – the first of 10 days of live music.
He said: “We are all Brummies here, born and bred, and I hope you will all support this great festival.”
Jasper, who also spoke of his hope for the future of his beloved Birmingham City FC following news of their takeover, had earlier joked: “This is my first gig in Birmingham under the new city council leader, and I am being paid sod all!”
The new council leader in question, Coun John Cotton, had said it gave him “huge pleasure” to be at the launch of the festival, which will involve almost 200 live performances – around a third of them on Westside – in 89 venues.
And he added: “You can be sure that the festival will once again attract thousands of music lovers to what we all know is one of THE big cultural events in this region every year.
“People return year after year for an event that has become the soundtrack to our summer. They return for the thrill of live music from top performers, and they return for the warm, friendly atmosphere that makes the Birmingham Jazz & Blues Festival so special.”
Coun Cotton added that the need for art and entertainment was also stronger than ever as people cope with the cost-of-living crisis.
Mike Olley, general manager of Westside BID, which is one of the festival’s main sponsors, said the event had been going from strength to strength.
“The Birmingham Jazz & Blues Festival is the start of the jazz festivals in the UK, so there are people who’ll be coming to Birmingham to start the tour of festivals and stay in the city’s hotels, so it’s an economic advantage for us.”
He also revealed: “I shout Alexa in the morning and say ‘play cool jazz’, and that’s what you will experience when you come to these mainly free events.”
Mr Olley particularly urged people to visit the Lee Longlands furniture store on the festival’s final day, 23 July, when festival organiser, and Big Bear Music founder Jim Simpson talks about his long career in the business.
For more information about the festival visit www.birminghamjazzfestival.com
Main picture: Jasper Carrott holds sway at the launch of the jazz festival.
You can watch Westside BID’s videographer Graham Young’s film of the launch here:
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