Jazz will be bubbling all over Southend this weekend, as the eighth Southend Jazz Festival culminates in a feast of music throughout the town.

Tonight there are two treats lined up with the Southend Jazz Orchestra performing in the Maritime Room, Cliffs Pavilion, while the Jive Jazz Dance Night swings with the Ponjo Stompers at the Cliffs Bandstand, Clifftown Parade.

Things really come alive tomorrow with live jazz all over the town starting as early as 11am in the High Street.

There are four bands booked to play in the town centre. The Graham Hunter Combo, Union Jazz band, the Estuary Jazz band and Jazz Bus with Kid Tidimans' New Era Jazz Band will all be strutting their stuff for shoppers to enjoy while they struggle with their bags, their children and the crowds.

In the afternoon the Graeme Culham Jazz Quintet will be playing in Belfairs Park, Leigh and the crazy antics of Bob Kerr's Whoopee Band are on display at the Cliffs Bandstand, Clifftown Parade.

In the evening there's a choice of three venues for a live jazz experience, starting with Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen at the Cliffs Bandstand.

The Kevin Creighton Trio will perform at the Players' Retreat bar, Station Road, Westcliff and Annexe Jazz with Paul Day will be appearing at the Crooked Billet, Leigh.

The jazz just keeps on going on Sunday. There is lunchtime jazz on the pier walkway with Ponjo's Hot Four, the Alan Beecham Sound in Belfairs Park and the Jazz Bus with the Down Home Jazz Band at the Peter Boat, Old Leigh.

Afternoon jazz with the Pasadena Roof Orchestra can be enjoyed at the Cliffs Bandstand and in the evening Jackson Sloan and the 4 Riffs -- with a last minute change of venue -- will be at the Westcliff Hotel

The finale to the Southend Jazz Festival will be a free open air concert in an enclosure outside Yates' Wine Lodge from 4pm.

Among the acts for the evening will be Touch'n'Go and Dexter and the Revelations.

Tickets are needed for the Maritime Room, the Westcliff Hotel and the Cliffs Bandstand, available from 01702 215120.

Jazzman - Kenny Ball is appearing at the bandstand

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