A WEEKEND of music and fun in Leyburn comes to a climax on Sunday afternoon, October 23, when the renowned Savannah Jazz Band brings the festival to a close.

Savannah is one of the most popular UK bands with an international reputation at major festivals in UK and overseas including Holland, Germany, Denmark, Finland and Canada.

The festival weekend starts with the hugely entertaining Alligator Gumbo band, continues with the Eddison Herbert Trio at the Kings Head, and the Yorkshire Gypsy Swing Collective on Saturday night, October 22.

A feature of the festival this year is cabaret lunch performances in the Golden Lion Hotel on Saturday, October 22 by the Nicki Allan Trio and on Sunday, October 23 by the Matt Anderson Trio North.

An important feature of the Leyburn Jazz Festival is the free workshop for aspiring young jazz musicians and this year it will be led by distinguished saxophonist Matt Anderson, who teaches at the Royal College of Music in London and at the Leeds Conservatoire.

Leyburn Jazz Festival is supported by Richmondshire District Council, North Yorkshire County Council and Leyburn Town Council and takes place at venues in Leyburn town centre from Friday to Sunday October 21-23. Tickets are available via the website www.leyburnjazz.co.uk or from the Leyburn Arts and Community Centre, Richmond Road. There is free parking for festival visitors throughout the weekend.