Marlborough International Jazz Festival has a diamond sparkle this year when one of its guests, Echoes of Ellington Swing Band, kick off a world premiere tour of Duke Ellington’s The Queen Suite in honour of the Diamond Jubilee.

From Friday to Sunday, the normally sleepy town of Marlborough, near Swindon, comes alive with more than 90 bands playing in the wide streets, bars, marquees, bandstands and even the town hall.

This year Clare Teal makes a welcome return to the festival, headlining on the Sunday, while Darius Brubeck, the Red Stripe Band and Chris Jagger, brother of Rolling Stones frontman Mick, head into town to entertain the crowds.

This will be the 26th anniversary of the jazz festival and among the guests are acts from more than 24 different countries, all gathered in a typically English country town to make music.

Festival consultant Nick Fogg said: “Marlborough Jazz is a unique family festival loved by all age groups. There is no finer sight than seeing the generations mingle on a summer’s day in Marlborough, strolling from venue to venue enjoying the different strains of music emanating from all directions and drinking in the carnival atmosphere.”

Swindon bands Pignose, led by Pete Cousins, and the Bob Bowles Band have also been invited to join the festival fun alongside flamenco guitarists Eduardo Niebla Trio, Al Marconi, Steve Big Man Clayton, Sticky Wicket The Slaughterhouse Seven and Helele and Damsque in the African Bandstand.

Nick said: “It is a musical treat in a very British surrounding.”

Duke Ellington met the Queen in 1958 and wrote the Queen’s Suite in her honour but it has never been performed in its entirety in public before. Echoes of Ellington will get in the swing in the Douglas Priory Marquee.

Tickets are from £22 to £68 and a family ticket means under-14s go free when accompanied by adults. See Marlborough International Jazz Festival has a diamond sparkle this year when one of its guests, Echoes of Ellington Swing Band, kick off a world premiere tour of Duke Ellington’s The Queen Suite in honour of the Diamond Jubilee.

From Friday to Sunday, the normally sleepy town of Marlborough, near Swindon, comes alive with more than 90 bands playing in the wide streets, bars, marquees, bandstands and even the town hall.

This year Clare Teal makes a welcome return to the festival, headlining on the Sunday, while Darius Brubeck, the Red Stripe Band and Chris Jagger, brother of Rolling Stones frontman Mick, head into town to entertain the crowds.

This will be the 26th anniversary of the jazz festival and among the guests are acts from more than 24 different countries, all gathered in a typically English country town to make music.

Festival consultant Nick Fogg said: “Marlborough Jazz is a unique family festival loved by all age groups. There is no finer sight than seeing the generations mingle on a summer’s day in Marlborough, strolling from venue to venue enjoying the different strains of music emanating from all directions and drinking in the carnival atmosphere.”

Swindon bands Pignose, led by Pete Cousins, and the Bob Bowles Band have also been invited to join the festival fun alongside flamenco guitarists Eduardo Niebla Trio, Al Marconi, Steve Big Man Clayton, Sticky Wicket The Slaughterhouse Seven and Helele and Damsque in the African Bandstand.

Nick said: “It is a musical treat in a very British surrounding.”

Duke Ellington met the Queen in 1958 and wrote the Queen’s Suite in her honour but it has never been performed in its entirety in public before. Echoes of Ellington will get in the swing in the Douglas Priory Marquee.

Tickets are from £22 to £68 and a family ticket means under-14s go free when accompanied by adults. See www.marlboroughjazz.com.