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THE BRASSKETEERS
Formed in 2003 in a Birmingham Balti House, the Brassketeers have one aim: to present good music regardless of style and genre. Their eclectic programme goes from classical favourites to film and television themes to jazz standards. This four-piece brass ensemble brings to its audiences music of astonishing variety and distinction.

THE COBWEB COLLECTIVE
The Cobweb Collective promotes some of the most enterprising young bands in Birmingham, with a strong link to the Conservatoire. Four bands due to be showcased at Zavvi are: Lydia Glandville Trio: Drummer and percussionist Lydia Glandville plays frequently in both jazz and folk circles with the Conservatoire folk ensemble and the band Concrete Jungle. Her trio mixes popular standard repertoire and traditional English melodies; Sam Wooster Trio: Sam Wooster is one of the busiest trumpeters on the Birmingham scene, playing frequently with Mike Fletcher and Ben Bryden. His trio of electric bass and drums showcases experimentation with electronics and sound effects; Jimmy Brewer Trio: Jimmy Brewer fronts this guitar trio which evokes the greats of jazz and rock from Scofield to Hendrix. Jimmy recently played in the Conservatoire Jazz Orchestra's tour led by veteran composer Mike Gibbs; Ben Kane Trio: Ben Kane is a drummer with monster swing, his love for the contemporary Criss-Cross scene of New York echoed by his trio of tenor sax and double bass.

THE DIXIELAND CRACKERJACKS (THE NETHERLANDS)
The career of the Dutch band, the Dixieland Crackerjacks, began on a high note. In January 1994 the band took part in the Annual Swing Contest at the Leiden Jazz Festival. Without any prior rehearsal the band won first prize, with trumpeter Michael Muller named best soloist. In 1996 the Crackerjacks turned professional, appearing at festivals that year in Enkhuizen, Doetinchem, Bergum, Kijkduin, Den Helder and Delft. By 1998 the band was regularly touring abroad, with a first appearance at the Birmingham International Jazz Festival coming the following year. Since then the Dixieland Crackerjacks have built on a reputation as one of Europe's foremost bands in the classical jazz field. Professional musicians with a deep love and understanding of the swinging music of the 1920s and 1930s.

THE FABULOUS BOOGIE BOYS
The Fabulous Boogie Boys, an exciting and entertaining five-piece from Malvern, are party favourites, specialising in soul and rock'n'roll, with songs from the likes of Nat 'King' Cole, Marvin Gaye and Mose Allison in their repertoire. Already big favourites at Upton-upon-Severn, the Boogie Boys are making their Birmingham debut.

THE ROGUE DOLLS
The Rogue Dolls' list of influences is as impressive as it's eclectic. Who else in the Jazz Festival would claim to derive inspiration from Bessie Smith and Cream, from Jimi Hendrix and the Meters or from Dusty Springfield and Robert Johnson? More conventional choices include Louis Armstrong and Jimmy Smith! The Rogue Dolls are a five-piece band whose recent debut CD Roguish Behaviour has been received rave notices. The band's jazz pedigree includes the presence of highly rated Hammond organ player, Ruth Hammond, and singer Katya Gorrie whose second album, Tales of Misbehaviour, has also been widely acclaimed.

THE ROY KIRBY PARAGON JAZZ BAND
Roy Kirby's love of traditional jazz, blues and skiffle led to his forming the Gloucester-based Paragon Jazz Band in 1974. With dedicated musicians travelling from all over the country to play in the band, they soon achieved a very high standard and were booked into Oxford Street's famous 100 Club. The first of many European tours followed in 1976. Roy turned professional in 1989 to concentrate on the music and his persistent hunt for nice tunes has led to the band's large repertoire of tunes. One of the busiest of New Orleans-style bands as well as one of the longest-running, the Paragon Jazz Band is much in demand at festivals, both specialist jazz events like Upton-upon-Severn and staples of country life like the Royal Show or the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show.

THE SHAKEDOWN
Ex-That Swing Thing singer Paul Bytheway leads a six-piece band which over the last year has built a reputation for its swinging mix of standards and more creative material. The band has a repertoire of rock and pop songs alongside original songs that still have the feel of 1940s standards. Expect Led Zeppelin v Bobby Darin, Black Sabbath v Mel Torme and Gnarls Berkley v Sinatra himself.

THE T BONES
The T Bones are on a mission to re-capture the joyful spirit and spontaneous feel of the blues of the forties and fifties, an ambitious task for four guys from the West Midlands. For the last couple of years they have been busy insinuating themselves onto the bills of various blues festivals around the country and providing the people of Walsall with quality entertainment. Imagine a cross between Lightnin' Hopkins, Elmore James and Jimmy Reed with a bit of laconic Black Country humour thrown in for good measure and you are some way to describing the T Bones experience.

THE TOMORROW BAND
One of the UK's hottest contemporary jazz trios, the Tomorrow Band consists of Chris Bowden on alto sax, drummer Neil Bullock and bassist Ben Markland. Their high-energy mix of jazz/funk/standards recently received standing ovations at the Birmingham Jazz Poll Winners Awards. The band's festival appearance will include previews of their highly anticipated second album, 2 to Get Set (Rehab Records).

TIM KLIPHUIS (THE NETHERLANDS)
Patrons of the last two Birmingham festivals need no persuading of the exciting qualities of violinist Tim Kliphuis. Tim first made an impact internationally when he joined Belgian gypsy jazz guitarist Fapy Lapertin in 1999. Their association resulted in three acclaimed CDs and tours of Europe and the UK. Since he embarked on a solo career in 2004, he has performed with such renowned jazz musicians as Les Paul, Herb Geller, Bob Wilber and Bucky Pizzarelli. With his London-based quartet he recorded The Grappelli Tribute (2005) which was released to rave reviews and last year he followed up with the CDs Live in Glasgow and Swingin' the Classics.

TIPITINA
For Tipitina, returning for a third Birmingham International Jazz Festival, 2008 has been a breakthrough year, with high-profile gigs and their debut CD being widely distributed on the Continent. Formed in 2005 by classically trained pianist Justin Randall who began his career playing boogie woogie with James O'Hara's Detonators, Tipitina also boasts the talents of singer/guitarist Debbie Jones and drummer Gary Barber. Justin is a specialist in the great New Orleans piano tradition of Professor Longhair and Dr. John, while Debbie's gospel background includes appearing with the One Voice and Urban Voice choirs which featured on The Best Gospel Album in the World. Since the release of the CD, I Wish I Was in New Orleans (Big Bear) Tipitina's reputation in Europe is steadily growing, with appearances at the Bordeaux Jazz Festival, Copenhagen and Lund on the date-sheet. Prestigious UK gigs include Brecon Jazz Festival and four days at the BBC Summer Festival at the NEC.

TOM MARTIN BAND
The Tom Martin Band perform mostly original material encompassing jazz/Latin rhythms/acoustic rock'n'roll. The band consists of Tom Martin (guitars/mandolin/harmonica/ piano/vocals), Pete Wingate (saxes/flute/piano), Bill Green (fretless and double bass) and Glyn Phillips (drums/percussion) has been together for around nine years and has released two CDs, Old Stones and Darkness and Beauty. The band's festival gig will feature a collaboration with By Word of Mouth on Pete Wingate's horn arrangements of songs such as Most Stories and Weekend in Jail. Stand by also for appearances by guest musicians.

VAL WISEMAN
A flawless technique, perfect intonation, precise sense of time and a vast repertoire underpin exquisite taste and an innate ability to swing. Having moved from the Midlands to London to join the Monty Sunshine Band at the end of the trad boom, Val appeared with Alex Welsh, Humphrey Lyttelton, Sandy Brown and Kenny Baker before taking time out to have a family. Her appearance at the 1986 Birmingham Jazz Festival led to her fronting the highly successful Billie Holiday tribute, Lady Sings the Blues. In 2006 she released what was (astonishingly) her first solo album to a barrage of critical acclaim. Much in demand at festivals throughout the UK, Val has also appeared at New York's Birdland and Lenox Lounge is recent years.

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