SWANAGE Jazz Festival will return this summer for its 27th year, it has been announced.

Bumper crowds flocked to Swanage and more than 50 bands played at the popular three-day event in 2015.

Festival artistic director Fred Lindop said: "Swanage Jazz gives jazz fans in Purbeck and Dorset the opportunity to enjoy a wide-ranging programme of music that distinguishes the festival from most others."

This year's event kicks off on Friday July 8 with the popular steam train/jazz dance excursion to Harman's Cross, where a top traditional jazz band will play in the village hall.

"The festival features bands from across the whole spectrum of jazz," explained Fred. "Leading the trad or classic programme is Keith Nichols' Blue Devils, probably the best band anywhere playing the music of the early big bands of the late twenties and thirties, with charismatic singer Joan Viskant.

"This year the band will play music popularised by the black bands of Harlem in the late twenties and early thirties."

Among the many other bands appearing are Budapest Ragtime Band and the Old Hat Jazz Band, organisers have confirmed.

The festival will be based at venues across Swanage, with the two main marquees situated at the town's Sandpit Field.

There will also be several student bands at seafront locations, performing to holidaymakers.

Fred said: "There’s also a large programme of bands playing more recent styles, from swing to contemporary jazz-rock and world music fusions.

"Among them are the exceptionally talented Arun Ghosh, whose quintet plays modern jazz with a distinct south-Asian accent.

"Leading musicians like festival president Alan Barnes feature in bands paying tribute to some of the great bands of the past, like Alex Welsh, and classic shows, such as the Jazz at the Philharmonic."

Swanage Jazz Festival takes place from July 8-10.

Further details and tickets are now available from swanage.jazz.org or by calling 01929 422215.