Jazz legends booked for music festival

Tickets go on sale on Friday at the De La Warr Pavilion for An Evening With John Dankworth and Cleo Laine on Friday, July 6.

This illustrious duo have played live in top venues all over the world.

For one night only, they will present a spectacular summer evening of smooth vocals and cool jazz in support of the festival initiative launched by Bexhill businessman and former West End singer Tony Mansi.

Tony said this week: "We are thrilled that the 'King and Queen' of Jazz, Sir John Dankworth and Dame Cleo Laine have agreed to open the Bexhill Festival of Music on July 6.

"This will be a magnificent start to a 10-day celebration of music and song for the residents and visitors to Bexhill.

"It is our intention that the Festival becomes an annual event, so we need the community to support this exciting new venture."

Tickets for this evening of glamour and glitz are on sale at the De La Warr Pavilion box office on Friday at 23, 19 and 15 on 01424 229111.

Music lovers are being invited to support Songs From The Shows, the Saturday, March 10 festival fund-raising concert and receive a 2 discount on the ticket price for Cleo Laine and John Dankworth's July concert.

Songs From The Shows, will feature a host of local talent including schools and organisation. Tickets are 9 and 8.

The Bexhill Festival of Music 2007 is the first in what is hoped to be an annual event, featuring a wealth of musical talent from superstars to local stars! It will run from July 6 to July 15.

The Bexhill Festival of Music is sponsored by the De La Warr Pavilion, Earl's Bakery and the Bexhill Observer.

Tony Mansi, a former president of Bexhill Chamber of Commerce is using contacts built up during 10 years as singer in West End musicals to attract big-name talent to the July festival. His wife Maggie was a dancer with the Festival Ballet Company, how the National Ballet, and head dancer in her day at the London Palladium.

Tony has put together a festival organising group as part of his plan to bring big-name artists to the pavilion including singers from the Royal Opera House.

Partners include the De La Warr Pavilion Trust and the Bexhill Schools Consortium, Rother District Council and the East Sussex Music Service.

Fund-raising for the festival is primarily the responsibility of former town mayor and local businessman Stuart Earl.

His old family firm, was among the first to offer sponsorship.

Tony Mansi hopes next month's fund-raising concert and the July festival to follow will lay the foundations for an annual series.

"If people enjoy what we do we can build on that....

"It has been an ambition of mine to stage a festival of music since moving to Bexhill nine years ago.

"A music festival is the perfect way for everyone in Bexhill to get involved in a cultural event, either as a creator, performer or member of the audience.

"With the support of the pavilion, local schools and Rother District Council, we hope that the festival in 2007 will be the first of what we hope will be an annual event in the town and a significant festival within the South East region."

Songs From The Shows on March 10 will include contributions from Bexhill Light Operatic and Dramatic Society, East Sussex School of Performing Arts, the Janice Blake Dance Studio, East Sussex Music Service, Bexhill Consortium Schools Choir and local solo artists.