SOME of the UK's leading jazz and blues musicians are set to headline a new festival taking place in Calstock this autumn.

The inaugural Calstock Jazz and Blues Festival will encompass every venue in the village and hopefully every member of the community, say the organisers.

Originally the vision of a small group of jazz enthusiasts in the area, the festival is creating real excitement in Calstock with events organised for tiny tots through to pensioners.

Recognised as one of the UK's leading jazz divas and former BBC Jazz Singer of the Year, Clare Teal will headline the festival and be accompanied on piano by Australian composer Grant Windsor in the stunning atmosphere of the Old Chapel Arts Centre.

Other leading bands will include a quintet with front line duties shared by legendary tenor saxophonist and London jazz club Ronnie Scott's regular Dave O'Higgins and Swiss guitar maestro Nicolas Meier.

Multi award winning New Orleans trumpeter, vocalist and composer Abram Wilson will be bringing his quartet to the festival and running an afternoon of fun at Calstock Village Hall with his 'jazz babies' musical event for three to five year olds.

Alongside the headline acts will be a number of local jazz and blues bands, including Roger Marks with his five-piece trad' band and the festival will also see the culmination of Helen Porter's series of singing workshops.

Chairman of the festival steering group Alastair Tinto said Calstock Church of St Andrew would host a gospel choir, and blues artists would be heard at the Tamar Inn and Calstock Social Club. The Lime Kiln Gallery would be the venue for light jazz combos throughout the weekend and Calstock's Rubber Band would head up the street parade.

'There will also be an opportunity to showcase the talents of local artists, performing on a stage in the marquee,' he said.

'Calstock is such a creative place and this festival has really generated a lot of interest

'I am really confident that it is going to be a great success and we hope this will be the first of many jazz and blues festivals here.

'We hope that a permanent jazz choir will come out of this and maybe a monthly jazz cafe at the Old Chapel.'