STRATFORD is preparing for its first Big Jazz Explosion this Bank Holiday weekend.

There will be concerts and workshops with local, regional and nationally-known musicians and bands all over town.

Highlights include the James Taylor Quartet, appearing at the Civic Hall on Monday, supported by new jazz funk act Kanopus.

A show about Billie Holiday, Lady Sings the Blues, is on at The Waterside Theatre. Val Wiseman is singing the part, backed by top-class soloists.

Stratford's own Dr Teeth Big Band are featuring a guest appearance from Birmingham star Lizzy Parks and there will also be performances by The Big Swing, featuring The Rat Pack, Wilko Johnson of Dr Feelgood fame and Sax Tempo, Straight Ahead, King Eddy's Revival Jazz Band and the Christian Brewer Quintet.

A series of workshops is being supported by the Stratford Town Trust and are aimed at 11 to 18-year-olds who have an interest in music and want to develop their own styles or experience playing and working with other people.

The programme for the weekend is:

FRIDAY:

6pm, Jive Dancing Workshop, Civic Hall, £5, 01789 207100.

8pm Dr Teeth Big Band with Lizzy Parks, Civic Hall, £12.50, 01789 207100..

8.30pm Wilko Johnson, Cox's Yard, £10 (£12 on door), 01789 404600.

SATURDAY:

11am, Samba Band Workshop, Stratford College, £7, 01789 263620.

1pm, Rhythm Section Playing Workshop, Stratford College, £5, 01789 263620.

3pm, Improvisation Workshop, Stratford College, £5, 01789 263620.

7.30pm, Lady Sings the Blues, Waterside Theatre, £15, 01789 290111.

SUNDAY:

2pm, Singing Workshop, Stratford College, £7, 01789 263620.

3pm, King Eddy's Revival Jazz Band, The Bandstand, Stratford Recreation Ground.

8pm, Creatzioni Jazz Band, The Hole in the Wall, free.

8pm, Christian Brewer Quintet, The White Swan, free, 01789 297022.

MONDAY:

Noon, Sax Tempo, The Bandstand, Stratford Recreation Ground.

1pm, Straight Ahead, The Bandstand, Stratford Recreation Ground.

2pm, The Big Swing featuring The Rat Pack, The Bandstand, Stratford Recreation Ground.

8pm, The James Taylor Quartet and Kanopus, Civic Hall, £15, 01789 207100.

For information about the Stratford Big Jazz Explosion, visit the website at www.stratfordbigjazzexplosion.co.uk.