RENOWNED jazz performers from across the globe are gathering in Suffolk this weekend for a festival of music.More than 20 artists and bands will be performing at the three-day festival at the County Hotel in Copdock.

RENOWNED jazz performers from across the globe are gathering in Suffolk this weekend for a festival of music.

More than 20 artists and bands will be performing at the three-day festival at the County Hotel in Copdock.

The action started yesterday and continues throughout today and tomorrow.

The event is being organised by the British Jazz Foundation – a charity which raises money for jazz musicians who are no longer able to perform due to ill health.

Stars performing at the hotel, who are all well known in jazz circles, include the Americans Herb Geller, Marlene Verplanck, Red Holloway and Warren Vache.

British artists at the event include Derek Nash, Alan Barnes, Roy Williams and Digby Fairweather.

The hotel is completely booked for the weekend but day passes for the music are still available at the reception.

All performances will be taking place in the hotel's Hadleigh Suite. Day passes start at £25.

There is also a buffet available throughout the weekend, a record stall and a full programme of performances.

Gary Install, general manager at The County Hotel, said: "We are hoping this is the first of a regular pattern of annual events held at Easter and we look forward to welcoming lots of local people to the weekend.

"We are also extremely pleased to be welcoming international jazz stars from around the world to Suffolk."

Performances today started at 12.30pm with Jim Douglas and Derek Nash and were due to continue late into the night.

From 8.30pm to 10.30pm The Great British Jazz Band are on stage followed by Pete Long's 9-20 De Luxe.

Tomorrow there will be 12 hours of jazz, starting at midday with Digby Fairweather and Brian Dee and continuing throughout the day with a host of stars.