Swinging scientologists to cut short stay at favourite jazz festival

The Jive Aces will be returning to perform at the opening of the City of Derry Jazz festival over the May Bank Holiday weekend, but have had to pull out of some of their gigs due to filming commitments.

The Jive Aces Management agent said that the band were upset at having to cut short their schedule at their favorite festival this year and they hoped their friends and fans in Londonderry would understand that a unique opportunity that had come up for the band.

The band will also be bringing the glamorous Holby City actress Rebecca Grant as their special guest singer.

Oonagh McGillion from Derry City Council said that while it was disappointing that the Jive Aces were not able to perform for the duration of the festival she was confident their replacement act – The Regular Joe’s – will prove popular with the Jazz festival audience.

Their early departure is a blow for the festival as the band is one of the festival’s most popular acts and has previously worked with John Travolta, Status Quo, Isaac Hayes, Van Morrison, Count Basie Orchestra, Keely Smith, Priscilla Presley, Buddy Greco, Kirstie Allie, Kenny Ball, Chuck Berry, Tony Christie and Lee Evans to name just a few.

Extending best wishes to the festival, the agent said the Jive Aces were looking forward to make a return to the festival next year, or earlier, and hoped the 2012 event was a huge success.

They also highly recommend the Regular Joes with whom they have worked many times in the past.

Ian Clarkson, lead singer of the Jive Aces, said: “We were gutted when we found out that the filming we were doing clashed with our favorite festival, we look forward to it all year. We are really glad that we could work out to still come and open the Derry festival, especially as this is our tenth year.

“We have recommended a great band to replace us and hope all our friends in Derry will understand. The BBC actress Rebecca Grant will also guest with us and we will give Derry a great show as usual. Cheers!”

Oonagh McGillion from the Council added that venues affected by the decision had been informed of the change and details of the replacement act.

“This year’s festival promises to be a great success and we hope the Derry audiences will enjoy the performances by the Regular Joe’s when they perform at a number of venues across the city over the May Bank Holiday weekend,” she commented.

For full details about the festival programme visit: www.cityofderryfestival.com or follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/DerryJazzFestival