The 29th Birmingham International Jazz and Blues Festival got off to a glittering start with a launch at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in the presence of the Lithuanian Ambassador, John Hemming MP, Councillors Carl Rice, Philip Parkin, Rob Sealey and James Hutchings, and local business leaders.
Speeches from the Lithuanian Ambassador Asta Skaisgriryte Liauskiene, Festival Patron Digby Fairweather, Festival Director Jim Simpson and Coun Rice alternated with music by the Remi Harris Trio, Sheep Got Waxed (one of two Lithuanian bands appearing at the 10-day festival) and Los Zingaros New Gypsy Tango Trio from Argentina.
