THIS weekend's Vale Jazz Festival will be opened by the Vale mayor.

Events will kick-off at 5.30pm on Friday, May 20 at Marco's Coffee Shop on Barry Island and The Saxalettes, a female saxophone quartet, will perform.

On Saturday, May 21, the Derek Nash Acoustic Quartet will be headlining at the Sea View Labour Club. Derek is the featured alto sax player with Jools Holland's band, joined by former members of Jamie Cullum's band and a multiple British Jazz award winner on piano, Derek Gascoyne.

Also performing over the weekend will be Dan Burnett, one of the best blues, soul and funk piano players in the country; Jack Blackman, arguably the best slide guitarist of his generation; Bella and Gareth from Cardiff with her lovely Jazzy soul voice.

The finale at the West End is Max de Bernardi and Veronica Sbergia, former International Blues Challenge winners from Milan, with their interpretation of ragtime, hokum and country blues, all played with passion and a sense of humour.

The Vale Jazz Festival will take place across Barry and a free programme highlighting what is on and where will be handed out during every act.

For more information about the weekend please visit valejazzfestival.com or follow @Vale_JazzFest on Twitter.