A FORMIDABLE powerhouse of jazz will make sure things are swinging at a popular Denbighshire event.

The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod has announced that its big Friday night concert will be headlined by Guy Barker's Big Band.

This will take place on the evening of Friday, July 7.

Guy Barker's Big Band is a formidable powerhouse of top-drawer jazz players, who make their Llangollen debut this summer.

Initially formed as a septet in 2001 for the Mercury Award-nominated album of legendary jazz trumpeter, Guy Barker, they went on to become the house band for Cheltenham Jazz Festival, opening the London Jazz Festival, performing at the BBC Proms, hosting the annual Royal Albert Hall’s Big Band Christmas, and much more besides.

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The band's list of regular collaborators reads like a who’s who of vocal talent from Jamie Cullum to Gregory Porter, Vanessa Haynes to Clare Teal, Tommy Blaize, Paloma Faith and Kurt Elling to name a few.

Guy Barker's Big Band will bring to North Wales a star-studded line-up of guest soloists and a programme drawn together with Guy Barker’s inimitable sense of story-telling through music, taking the audience on a thrilling journey through the history of 20th century jazz song.

The annual Llangollen International Eisteddfod is home to over 4,000 performers during the week-long programme between July 4-9, 2023.

It is now a key driver of cultural tourism to North Wales and attracts over 20,000 visitors every year.