JAZZ IT UP!

THE Waterboys will be joined by Cuban pianists and the ‘world’s best soul band’ at San Javier’s jazz festival which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.

The event, which is among the best in Spain, will feature 22 concerts over 15 nights from this Friday until July 23.

There will also be a special award presented to guitarist Ximo Tebar who performed in the very first festival concert in 1998.

The British-Irish folk rock band, The Waterboys, behind 1985 hit Whole of the Moon, will be returning to the festival after a fouryear break on July 22. Most concerts will be held in the redesigned 500 seat Parque Almansa venue and kick off on June 30 with Djavan, one of the most admired Brazilian musicians in the world.

July 1 sees Cuban pianist and vocalist, Alfredo Rodríguez, who was discovered by legend Quincy Jones, while British group Mamas Gun also perform.

The Festival closes on July 23 withs, the Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra making their Spanish debut.