The main stage for the festival is once again in a magnificent marquee inside the breathtaking Cathedral Ruins. This time there’s not only great music, beginning with the acclaimed Mingus Big Band on Friday, but also a showing of the feature length Mingus documentary – ‘Triumph of the Underdog’. On Saturday another big band rolls into town under the leadership of UK jazz giant Stan Tracey, and on Sunday Abram Wilson and his 10-piece outfit perform as part of a double bill with Andy Sheppard’s project featuring James Morton and ‘The Luna-tics’.

French bass maestro Henri Texier flies in on Saturday afternoon with his brilliant quartet and on Sunday Bheki Mseleku and his band are paired with one of the finest contemporary jazz voices in the UK, Gwyneth Herbert.

Part of the fun at festivals is attending the late night and fringe gigs and as usual there is some fine music to choose from. On Thursday, Alec Dankworth brings a Spanish feel to the Biggin Hall. Late on Friday and Saturday night Taylor John’s House hosts gigs by Cameron Pierre Trio and a rare chance to catch Seb Rochford and Polar Bear in an intimate setting.

Festival favourite Bryan Corbett returns with his quartet as part of our programme of free lunchtime gigs on the Friday at Escape Bar, while The Big Easy host a tea time show there on Sunday. Elsewhere, at the Herbert Café, Liquid Café Wine Bar, and the Earlsdon Cottage there are more free gigs including Bulap and Jucumaya, a very fine pianist Alcyona Mick, The Ian Hill Duo and flamenco guitarist Si Hayden.

No festival would be complete without the young musicians in the Phoenix Collective and they will be appearing beneath the Cathedral Porch on Saturday. And, of course we kick off with a free show in Priory Place on Thursday afternoon with two local bands, the Cool Dudes Jazz Orchestra and Time Squared.

Finally, the festival closes on Monday with Blues in The Ruins featuring Tony ‘TS’ Mc Phee, the Michael Roach Band and The Pirates.