As Brecon Jazz Festival edges closer this summer, we take a look at some of the festival’s featured artists.

Ursula Harrison Quartet, Songs About Birds

This newly commissioned work will be performed by the 2024 winner of Young Jazz Musician of the Year, bassist and composer Ursula Harrison - someone whose career is in rapid national ascendancy. For this special concert and premiere, Ursula explores themes around nature in music with a growing assurance, the outcome of the success of current and previous appearances and collaborations, alongside cultural immersion in the European jazz scene. Ursula is no newcomer to Brecon Jazz, and indeed has been a consistent presence in recent years, with each year, she brings something different, drawing on a deep creativity alongside a sensitive gathering of sources and influences. Expect delight, and the unexpected!

The quartet will be performing on Friday, 7 August, at the Guildhall at 6pm.

Tickets £20 / Youth concessions / booking fee applies

Will Barnes Quartet, Outside the Light

Another musician highly acclaimed by Brecon audiences and reviewers, guitarist Will Barnes too is having an amazing year. A second album launch sees the band now filling seats in prestige national venues, while the work and its inspiration remains close to Will's roots in Wales and jazz guitar. A 'band in full creative flow' is how All About Jazz describes the quartet, and Will is very much the leader and inspiration behind the writing. Again we find a jazz musician speaking through the natural world in his musical expression. Expect melodic, highly engaging work and dazzling musicianship. A must see/hear event, plus an in-parallel light show for a truly immersive concert experience.

The band will perform at Theatr Brycheiniog on Saturday, 8 August, at 1.30pm.

Tickets £30/ Youth concessions / booking fee applies

Ferg’s Imaginary Big Band

A debut appearance for this powerhouse ensemble from Leeds: 'too much fun', "madness, mayhem and sheer brilliance' were just some of the audience reactions from Ferg's last year's appearance at Love Supreme Festival. This band is on a roll, inspired by pop culture as well as Sun Ra, appearing at Ronnies, a sold-out tour, and winning awards and recognition for redefining the nature of 'big band' performance! You will want to hear this, and to dance.

Ferg’s Imaginary Big band are performing at Theatr Brycheiniog at 4pm on Sunday, 9 August.

Tickets £30 / Youth concessions / booking fee applies

Dave Jones Quintet, Trunk of Funk

Expect polished and high energy grooves from these top professionals of jazz. A committed innovator, Dave Jones brings a stellar lineup together, including regular collaborator, saxophonist Ben Waghorn, and then sets them free, yet working within a very tight and disciplined creative setup. Steeped in jazz genre, but working with funky repertoire, Trunk of Funk makes an art form of jazz-fusion, it might even take your breath away!

Dave jones Quintet will be performing at the Guildhall on Sunday, 9 August, at 6.30pm.

Tickets £20 / Youth concessions / booking fee applies

The full programme is available to see here: http://breconjazzfestival.org