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The HMV Birmingham International Jazz Festival begins today, the start of a feast of top concerts for the next ten days. STUART MERCHANT highlights some of the star names appearing in the city.
THE CHRIS BARBER JAZZ BAND
Veteran jazz man Chris Barber and his band have averaged an incredible 250 concerts a year since their formation in 1954.
Chris, who recently turned 70, will perform at Ronnie's on Monday July 10.
'I didn't really think that it was possible to create a long term career making a living out of playing jazz,' he admits. 'But in the early 50's the music was becoming more commercially popular so our plan was to continue until the bubble burst and thenreturn to our daytime jobs.
'Here we are, 46 years later, still waiting!'
TERENCE BLANCHARD SEXTET
This amazingly talented band is on display in the first...