Leasowes promises enchanting line up

Hailed as one of England's most remotely-placed music festivals, the eagerly antiticpated Music at Leasowes Bank concert is set to celebrate its 29th year in style with a feast of classical and jazz performances.

The festival takes place in a converted barn nestled high in the Shropshire hills in the village of Ratlinghope, between the Stiperstones and the Long Mynd.

Over the years, the event has attracted a loyal following and welcomed both famous faces and emerging talent to the barn.

This year's event begins on Saturday, July 11, with a concert featuring jazz composer Andrea Vicari, a formiddable young musician, who has been commissioned to write a work especially for the event.

Renowned soprano Patricia Rozario, accompanied by Mark Bebbington, will give An Evening of Song on Friday, July 17, featuring a memorable collection of pieces by Gurney, Ireland, Schubert and the first performance of Friendship by the Worcestershire composer Ian Venables.

Jutta's Party Band, a lively jazz quintet led by guitarist Pete Oxley and featuring Chris Garrick on violin and Dave Gordon on piano, by will bring their 'fiendish, feisty fare' to the stage on Saturday, July 18.

On Wednesday, July 22, classical duo Craig Ogden and Alison Stephens will enchant audiences with their fluent techniques and magical expressive nuances on guitar and mandolin - their recent CD, entitled Music from the Novels of Louis de Bernières, sold over 10,000 copies in the first few weeks of issue.

The festival's grand finale will be given by its founder, John Williams, on Saturday, July 25, when poet Roger Garfitt and a host of talented jazz musicians will perform a memorable concert led by composer Nikki Iles to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Leasowes' Jazz and Poetry Concert, a concept which has been broadcast and toured with throughout the country.

Tickets and further information are available from Leasowes Bank on (01743) 790769 or Windband in Shrewsbury on (01743) 367482.