ONE of the groups planning the Brecon Jazz Weekend says the event will maintain the town’s festival atmosphere this August.

The event, featuring 20 concerts at venues across the town, is being organised by supporters and organisations involved in the Brecon Jazz Stakeholder group.

It will run from August 12-14 the traditional jazz festival weekend.

Lynne Gornall, of the Brecon Jazz Club, said: "It will have the feel of the festival. There will be headline concerts, workshops and street music. All those ingredients are going to be there and the Fringe Festival will be running all weekend."

The Brecon Jazz Festival has been in doubt since promotions company Orchard pulled out of organising the event in December saying it could no longer sustain the financial losses.

As well as the jazz club, which runs a monthly night at Theatr Brycheiniog and organised concerts at the festival with Orchard, the promoter of the Porthcawl Jazz Festival will stage concerts at Brecon Cathedral.

Concerts will also take place at the theatre, the Guildhall and the Castle Hotel.

Those behind the weekend are waiting to hear on the outcome of funding bids before confirming any acts but say the event will maintain the festival’s reputation for quality jazz.

Brecon Town Council has committed in principle to supporting the event which is also supported by the Brecon Beacons National Park sustainability fund.

There will also be street entertainment and activities in Bethel Square, a ‘Food Feast’ next to the Wellington Monument and Brecon Farmers’ Market at the Market Hall and the cathedral will host its traditional Sunday jazz service.

For more on this story see this week’s Brecon & Radnor Express - on sale now