A Clitheroe bicycle shop is gearing up to host popular Yorkshire saxophone quartet Perfect Fourth, the latest addition to next month’s 2024 Ribble Valley Jazz and Blues Festival which runs over the early May Bank Holiday

“The festival has 20-odd different venues this year, including Ribblesdale Wanderers Cricket Club and Clitheroe Library, but Bowland Bikes presenting a jazz gig is perhaps the most unusual one and I’m sure it will be great fun,” said festival co-ordinator Gary Ward.

The in-demand ensemble presents a varied programme of music from all eras, including classical and modern songs, as well as quirky arrangements of jazz numbers and their own interpretations of popular hits such as the Pink Panther and Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines. (Free, Bowland Bikes, Sunday May 5, 1pm)

Lancashire Telegraph: Franny Eubank

There’s a real treat in store for blues fans with one of Britain’s finest blues vocalists, Franny Eubank, pencilled in to perform two free shows on festival Saturday at Holmes Mill (2pm) and Maxwells Café and Wine Bar opposite Clitheroe station (6pm)

Fuelled by his passionate devotion to Howling Wolf, Little Walter and Sonny Boy Williamson, Eubank’s harmonica and deep and soulful vocals have won the admiration and acclaim of audiences and musicians across the land.

Also, on Saturday, Manchester pianist Andy Stones will be sure to attract a bumper audience when he makes his festival bow with a dash of rhythm and blues and plenty of swing at the Waggon and Horses, Clitheroe (free, 6pm)

Stones is a most accomplished musician, pianist with Manchester band The Winchesters and was recently the keyboard player with the late Leslie McKeown’s Bay City Rollers

Meanwhile, Channel 2 will raise the curtain on this year’s festival, providing the opening act at the Jungle on Moor Lane on Friday May 3 at 5pm (free)

It promises to be an evening of uplifting swing and popular jazz tunes with Channel 2 musicians Jan Holena (ex-Western Valley Hot Club) on sax/clarinet and piano alongside vocalist Simon Brady, formerly of the Swing Commanders, guitar and mandolin, at the heart of the action.

Lancashire Telegraph: Katoush

Katoush, a five-piece instrumental jazz group from Lancaster, will also be in town on the first night, bringing their funky jazz standards to Holmes Mill (free 7pm).

Kirk McElhinney is an exceptional finger style acoustic guitarist based in Manchester and his Sunday show (free, Waggon and Horses, 2pm) will be sure to provide another festival highlight.

McElhinney’s noteworthy career has seen him appear alongside Australian guitarist Tommy Emmanuel and Indian composer Nitin Sawhney.

The Ribble Valley Jazz and Blues festival continues to attract acts from home and abroad and in previous years these have included saxophonist Soweto Kinch and Norwegian composer Bugge Wesseltoft.

The Nikki Iles Jazz Orchestra, Corto.alto and Emma Johnson’s Gravy Boat are the headliners for the 2024 festival which runs from May 3-6.

For details of all the bands and venues at this year’s festival, visit www. rvjazzfestival.co.uk