BUDDING musicians and buskers are being offered the chance to join a major festival.

The organisers of the International Upton Jazz Festival, which runs from Friday to Sunday, June 27-29, are running informal jam sessions at Upton Social Club, Church Street, with Chester-based jazz pianist Malcolm Hogarth and Isobel Toner, who plays string bass.

Musicians can simply turn up with their instruments and play from 7pm to 10pm on the Friday and Saturday as well as 2pm to 5pm on the Sunday, while buskers are welcome on the streets.

Malcolm is joined at the jam sessions by Isobel and drummer Mike Pearce.

The festival's musical director, Rachel Hayward, said: “They aim to bring musicians of all levels together for some enjoyable Upton jam sessions.”

For more information and tickets, go to uptonjazz.co.uk or call 01684 593254.