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AARON WEINSTEIN (USA)
At the time of his previous appearance at the Birmingham festival in 2006, Chicago violinist Aaron Weinstein was already recognised, at the age of 20, as one of the most exciting emerging jazz talents which his festival appearances certainly confirmed. Two years on from his previous Birmingham appearances Aaron's upward trajectory continues. Recent developments include a duo album with John Pizzarelli and appearances with Frank Vignola and Jane Monheit.

ADAM PHILLIPS TRIO
The Adam Phillips Trio is a roots blues band with 21st century attitude. Ignoring genre and generational boundaries with laidback ease, they are just as likely to be heard playing Rage Against the Machine as Robert Johnson, Bob Marley as Big Bill Broonzy or Little Feat as Little Walter. The only certainty is their love and respect for the blues in all its guises.

ALAN BARNES
Multi-award winning saxophonist/clarinettist Alan Barnes is as versatile as he is talented. Regulars at the Birmingham festival will have encountered him in many guises, always as an original and exciting soloist on four or five different reed instruments, often as composer/arranger of projects like Swinging Down Broad Street and the Marbella Jazz Suite. In addition to his ability as a composer, Alan has a gift for reinterpreting the jazz of the past. His Liquorice Stick All-Sorts feature the music of the great clarinettists and he is currently also performing his Duke Ellington tribute, this in the wake of memorable re-creations of Horace Silver and Cannonball Adderley among others.

ANDY HAMILTON & THE BLUE NOTES
The life and career of saxophonist Andy Hamilton are quite remarkable even by jazz standards. Born in 1918 in Port Maria, Jamaica, Andy formed his first band, in 1928. After a spell in New York, Andy headed for England in 1949, building a unique reputation on the Birmingham jazz scene over the next four decades. Oddly, national and international fame did not come to him until 1988 at the age of 70 when he recorded his debut album Silvershine.

ANEESA CHAUDHRY
Up-and-coming jazz and world music performer Aneesa Chaudhry will be performing songs from her current album, Asian Provocateur, a jazz-Asian fusion of sounds and songs. Aneesa grew up in a creative Asian household, but went on to train as a barrister. Eventually the pull of her creative roots became too strong and she moved into a music career, embracing styles from jazz to a classical repertoire, soul and Indian song. A charismatic and glamorous performer, Aneesa is establishing herself on the festival scene, with appearances at the City of London Festival, Ealing Jazz Festival and the National Theatre Music Pitch as well as at Birmingham.

ART THEMEN
Since his retirement from a career as a highly respected orthopaedic surgeon, Art Themen has been able to devote himself to jazz full-time, introducing yet more people to his inspiring and original saxophone style. Following his early successes with the Cambridge University Jazz Band, Art formed his major musical relationship with Stan Tracey in 1974. He is one of British jazz's most individual soloists and has played and toured with such major American jazzmen as Nat Adderley, George Coleman, Red Rodney and Al Haig.

ARTHUR BROWN JAZZ BAND
Having led his own band for many years, trumpeter Arthur Brown joined Pete Allen and then had a spell leading a band in Spain. On his return to the Midlands, he formed his present band, which appeared at the 2005 Birmingham festival, still dedicated to the same buccaneering style of Dixieland with which he made his name.

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