MEDIA RELEASE

Major new sponsor announced for Bournemouth Jazz Festival

(22 - 24 April 2016)

A major new sponsor has been announced by Bournemouth Jazz Festival. Ferndown based Independent Financial Advisers, Atkins Bland Ltd, has agreed to be the main sponsor of this year's Festival and the JaZz Factor workshops for local young musicians taking place on Sunday, 24 April 2016. Seewww.bournemouthjazzfestival.co.uk

A number of Bournemouth schools and colleges have already signed up to compete in the Jazz Factor event which givesyoung players a real opportunity to develop their skills and work with professional jazz musicians.

Gerry Clarke, Festival Director, said, "We are delighted that one of our leading local independent Investment Advisers, Atkins Bland have agreed to sponsor the Jazz Festival this year. With their help and support I am confident that the Bournemouth Jazz Festival will have a truly positive impact on the town, enhancing the quality of life for its residents and visitors over the coming years."

Kevin Bland, Managing Director of Atkins Bland commented, "We are keen to support the local community and help increase the town's tourism appeal through this new world class jazz festival which we feel will contribute greatly to the town's economic growth and cultural development"

The Jazz Festival takes place over the weekend of 22/23/24^thApril at various venues around Bournemouth, with a number of International stars performing at The Royal Bath Hotel, a unique World Jazz Jamboree event at the Norfolk Royale Hotel and the Jazz Factor competition and Awards Ceremony at The Bournemouth Pavilion on Sunday night which features The Dorset Youth Jazz Orchestra and the Bournemouth University Big Band.

Tickets for the jazz performances including the Ginger Baker Experience with Andy Sheppard and Gene Calderazzo and a variety of world class Jazz singers including Jacqui Dankworth, Tina May and Zoe Schwarz can be booked through The Bournemouth Jazz Festival website:www.bournemouthjazzfestival.co.ukor through the BH Live websitewww.bhlivetickets.co.uk/Online/default.aspor by phone on 0844 5763000.

Picture Caption:L - R. Company Director, John Knott, with Gerry Clarke Bournemouth Jazz Festival Director and Kevin Bland, Managing Director and Robert Carter from Investment Advisers, Atkins Bland.

Further press information: Jane Adkins, A Head for PR, T/: 01935 813114 or E/:jane@aheadforpr.co.uk

BJF 05 (Mar 2016)

Note to Editors

The Bournemouth Jazz Festival boasts a Headline Acts programme comprising top international and national jazz names including world renowned singer Jacqui Dankworth, saxophonist Jean Toussaint who worked with the legendary Art Blakey the much-loved singer Tina May and rising trumpet star Yazz Ahmed.

There will also be a "World Jazz Jamboree" featuring jazz styles from Africa, Europe, India, The Middle East and South America and a "Jazz Village" in Bournemouth Town Centre with a live music stage, food and drink stalls and a programme of ‘street jazz' across the town with additional "razzmajazz" pockets planned for Westbourne, Southbourne and Boscombe.

The Jazz Factor comprises a series of jazz workshops and jazz competition for young musicians with awards ceremony and concert in the Pavilion Ballroom in the evening.

Atkins Bland has been providing highly professional, personal and fully independent investment and financial advice to those in the South West and beyond for over 25 years.  For more details seehttp://www.atkinsbland.co.uk