INTERNATIONAL jazz stars will be hitting the high notes across Sandwell next week as part of the 32nd Annual Birmingham and Solihull Jazz and Blues Festival.

The Sandwell Fringe has become a firm favourite with music fans over recent years and from Friday, July 15 until Sunday, July 24 there will be live performances in Oldbury, Cradley Heath, Blackheath and Bearwood.

Big Bear Records has been instrumental in bringing world renowned jazz and blues artists to Sandwell for the past three years and has organised this year's line up.

Jim Simpson from Big Bear Records said: "It's great to be able to be able to bring music to local communities and it's a pleasure to work with Sandwell libraries again."

Councillor Richard Marshall, Sandwell’s cabinet member for leisure, added: "We started off just a few years ago with Lightwoods Park as our only venue as part of this fantastic jazz and blues festival.

"The fact that we now have 14 events over 10 days at 14 different venues at our libraries, parks and museums is testament to how much the people of Sandwell enjoy this style of music.

 "Whether you're a seasoned jazz and blues fan or someone listening for the first time, you're guaranteed a quality show that's also free."

The park’s programme gets underway with the renowned Bruce Adams Quartet on Saturday, July 16 at Sandwell Park Farm.

Long-time jazz performer, Bruce is one of the most entertaining musicians on the jazz scene known for his jokes and amusing anecdotes about the jazz scene.

On Sunday, July 24, at Haden Hill Park, The Great Birmingham Trombone Company will be performing at 2pm.

The Jazz Festival programme at Sandwell’s libraries gets under way on Friday, July 15 at Oldbury Library with The Humors at 2.30pm.

On Tuesday, July 19, Cradley Heath Library has Roy Forbes performing at 7pm and on Saturday, July 23, Blackheath Library has the Steve Ajao Quartet performing at 7pm.

For more information, please contact 0121 569 4911 or visit www.sandwell.gov.uk/libraries.