The programme of performers at this year’s Wangaratta Festival of Jazz and Blues has been released. The Festival’s artistic director, Adrian Jackson, says that this years “theme” is the diversity in the number of female soloists and bandleaders who will be playing. Adrian, who has been artistic director of every festival since it started in 1990, talks with Thursday Drive’s Mick Paddon about the artists performing over the long weekend from 28th to 30th October, and the competition for the National Jazz Awards. The 10 shortlisted saxophonists for this 2016 Award, a different instrument is featured each year, will perform over the weekend in semi finals then on to finals