TrustNEWS Item

Ref: tn_3305
Date: 27th April 2005

‘The Duke’ backs Jazz Festival’s new venue!

Nathan "The Duke" Ellington gets down! Wigan Athletic’s goal machine Nathan ‘The Duke’ Ellington has given his backing to Wigan International Jazz Festival’s brand new venue – the JJB Stadium. Nathan, who takes his nickname from legendary Jazz icon Duke Ellington, has paid homage to both his namesake and the famous festival that is now celebrating it’s 20th anniversary.

“I’m really glad that the Jazz Festival is coming to the JJB. It’s a great venue and obviously with the Festival being in its 20th year, it’s an excellent opportunity for people to come and see some quality music in a quality venue,” said Nathan. “It’s funny that people have christened me ‘The Duke’. It’s nice to be compared with such a musical great. It seems that the name Wigan has become synonymous with Jazz over the years and I’m really happy to support the Festival.” This year’s festival runs from July 9th to the 16th and has the most comprehensive programme in its history.

Jazz greats such as The Manhattan Transfer, James Morrison, the Woody Herman Orchestra and Joey De Francesco will all appear at the Marquee Suite, JJB Stadium.

“The Marquee Suite is perfect for jazz,” Ian Darrington, director of the Jazz Festival enthused. “In many ways it reminds me of Ronnie Scott’s in London or the Blue Note in New York. It has a cool, crisp atmosphere and is very stylishly finished. We can’t wait to get the show started – the artists will love it!”

As well as the celebrity concerts at the Marquee Suite, the JJB will also be hosting ‘Dinner Jazz’ at Rigalettos. People will be able to enjoy the sweet sound of some of the UK’s finest Jazz vocalists such as Lee Gibson, Kelly Dickson and Sarah Bennett, while tucking in to the finest cuisine that Wigan has to offer.

“The whole feel of the Festival this year is very exciting. We still have the traditional international flavour that Wigan is renowned for, but the new venue has meant we can open up Jazz to a whole new audience and make people realise it is not just the music of the purist, “ Ian continued.

Tickets for this year’s festival go on sale in early May and are available from the tourist information centre on 01942 825677. ‘Dinner Jazz’ tickets will be available directly from Rigalettos on 01942 770432. For regular updates see www.wiganjazz.net

All artists appear courtesy of Ernie Garside Productions.

-Ends-

NOTES TO EDITORS:
For further information on this News Release please contact Chris Dunbar, PR Consultant, Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust on 01942 776719 or at C.Dunbar@wlct.org or Phil Green at Wigan Council’s Press Office on 01942 827369.

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