Brecon Jazz Festival 2012 unveils international line-up: Dionne Warwick, Roy Ayers, Claire Martin and more to appear

Brecon Jazz Festival 2013

Founded in 1983, this major jazz festival is the 'go-to' for fans of the genre, not least for its incredible annual line-up of stars from across the globe. Previously, Humphrey Lyttleton, George Melly, Jan Garbarek, Sonny Rollins, Cleo Laine, Courtney Pine and even Van Morrison, who is no stranger to adding jazz essences to his repertoire, have all graced stages in and around the Welsh Brecon area.

Last year, previous promoters from The Hay Festival pulled out with the usual economic climate and financial difficulties also bearing down on the future of this heritage event. Thankfully, Cardiff-based promoters Orchard have commandeered the responsibility of running it - Brecon Jazz Festival 2012 lives on with many aims, one of which is to involve members of the local community a lot more and feature street entertainment, as well as an all-star cast of jazz and soul legends.

The three days begin on Friday 10th August when the schedule begins with performances from ex-Cream drummer extraordinaire Ginger Baker, Welsh trumpeting wizard Neil Yates, international million-selling soul-jazz singer Dionne Warwick and the Mercury-nominated Kit Downes Quintet. Quite a starting pitch, we feel.

For the rest of the weekend, you have Saturday's attractions of vibes-master Roy Ayers, a Brecon cathedral show for award-gathering singer Claire Martin and acclaimed jazz-supergroup Lighthouse, featuring Grammy-winner Tim Garland, Mercury-nominated Gwilym Simcock and percussionist Asaf Sirkis, and Sunday's treats which include MOBO-winning sax-wielding YolanDa Brown, previous Brecon Jazz veteran Stan Tracey and landmark modern outfit, Neil Cowley Trio.

We will have tickets available for all featured Brecon Jazz 2012 shows running from 10th to 12th August from 9am on Saturday 12th June, prices vary with many shows costing around a tenner!

Paul Pledger