EXCITEMENT is building ahead of Nantwich’s 18th Jazz Blues and Music Festival as a host of debuting acts are announced.

The event welcomes Swinging at the Cotton Club, Wishbone Ash and Stan Webb’s Chicken Shack.

And organiser Phillip Martin is certainly looking forward to the festival, which kicks off on April 17.

“This year’s line-up is stronger than ever,” he said. “We were working on 2014’s festival line-up within a month of the 2013 Festival ending.”

“The Saturday show, Swinging at the Cotton Club, has been on our radar to be booked for a number of years now.

“They comprise of a 10-piece orchestra and six singers and dancers, it’s an action-packed show celebrating the music, dance, and songs of the Cotton Club – New York City’s famous nightclub of the 1920s and ‘30s.

“The exciting dance and music of the Cotton Club is recreated by the fabulous Jiving Lindy Hoppers, the world’s premier jazz dance company and Harry Strutter’s Hot rhythm Orchestra.”

Another debut this year will be Deborah Bonham and her band – sister to legendary Led Zeppelin member Pete Bonham.

“We have been trying to get Deborah here for years,” added Phillip. “At last we have, she has a terrific pedigree and she has performed with the best.

Jacqui Dankworth and Bruce Foxton’s From the Jam will perform on the Monday, while Snake Davis and the Suspicions return on Sunday as acts, including Nantwich’s own Thea Gilmore, appear across 16 venues over Easter weekend.

For information on tickets visit nantwichjazz.com or call 01270 625283.