Young musicians keen on jazz will get the chance to perform with Dennis Rollins, one of the world’s great trombonists, at the wall2wall Jazz Festival this year.

As well as appearing at the festival with Chube – the group featuring Welsh jazz harpist Ben Creighton Griffiths – Dennis will also be in Abergavenny to direct jazz workshops with young people. They will culminate in a public gig on August 31 by The Big Bluesy Jazz Band, composed of his workshop students with Dennis playing too.

Dennis is almost as well known for his educational projects as he is as a star performer with his bands Bradbone & Co., the Velocity Trio and his new one FUNKY-FUNK!

‘It’s an important role I treasure,’ he says. ‘Working with students from primary school to university level, it’s always a pleasure to pass on my musical knowledge to the next generation.’

Dennis received the MBE for these all-round musical qualities and was given the Freedom of Doncaster, his home town, for being a role model and for his educational outreach work with local youngsters.

At wall2wall, Dennis will be directing students at two full-day sessions on August 29 and 30 and a half-day one immediately before playing in public on the 31^st. Anyone wishing to take part should be no older than 18, have musical ability to Grade 5 or higher, and be available for all three workshops and the final gig.

Dennis is looking for a drummer, a bassist, a guitarist, a pianist, two alto saxophonists, two tenor saxophonists, four trombonists and four trumpeters. But any young instrumentalist outside these specific requirements should inquire about taking part.

There is no charge for the workshops and if you are interested in taking part, please send us a short email at info@blackmountainjazz.co.uk – or call Mike on 0795 8612691.