EMERGING jazz stars are tuning up to appear at this weekend’s International Upton Jazz Festival.

Youngsters from Malvern's Chase Jazz Band will join Prince Henry’s Big Band from Evesham and the Hanley Castle High School Swing Band on Saturday and Sunday in the Best of Young Jazz marquee.

They will be playing to the crowds in 45-minute slots on Upton's sports fields alongside gifted musicians from Worcestershire Youth Jazz Orchestra, Blue Monday – four ex-Droitwich High School students – and Birmingham Conservatoire graduate Toby Boalch.

There are young musician showcases too, and masterclasses and workshops with Percy Pursglove, a respected jazz master and graduate of the Birmingham Conservatoire.

The festival include more than 60 concerts from Friday to Sunday, with New York songstress Sally Night, George Huxley and Sammy Rimington, and British Jazz Award-winner Remi Harris among those starring.

For more information and tickets, go to uptonjazz.co.uk or call 01684 593254.