BUDDING young musicians are tuning up to join the sixth annual Darlington Jazz Festival on its return to town next week.

This year’s celebration of all things jazz is set to include diverse performances from a range of artists in the town centre to showcase the talents of the next generation of stage stars.

The jazz carnival will launch the month-long Darlington Arts Festival, running from April 27 until the end of May, organised by Darlington for Culture.

A series of performances from Darlington schoolchildren and students will be performed from Tuesday, April 25, until Sunday, April 30, beginning with Reid Street Primary School and St George’s Church of England Academy.

Pupils will take part in a special Train Music Project led by Durham Music School at the Head of Steam Railway Museum on Tuesday alongside the jazz festival’s composer in residence, jazz educator and trumpeter, Matt Roberts.

Darlington-born Mr Roberts will also lead a jazz improvisation workshop at the Crown Street Art Gallery on Thursday, April 27.

On Saturday, April 29, Darlington’s young musicians will play in various ensembles in Joseph Pease Place from 12.30pm alongside live solo and small group performances around the town from noon until 3pm.

Ian Robinson, deputy head of Durham Music Service, said: “We’re thrilled to be able to get local youngsters, and other jazz fans, involved both in the workshops and performances – it will be a fantastic experience for them.”

For more information on the festival line-up, visit darlingtonjazzfestival.co.uk