DR BARRY Morgan, the Archbishop of Wales, will be officially opening the Vale Jazz Festival in Barry town centre tomorrow (Friday, June 19).

Around 22 jazz acts will perform in 20 venues around Barry and all the events are free, thanks to sponsorship from local businesses and the Arts Council of Wales.

They include young professional harpist Ben Creighton Griffiths who will play during the service at St Mary’s Church.

The Archbishop said: “I am delighted to be opening the festival and am looking forward to the service on Sunday.

"Christianity’s links with jazz go back a long way - the music came from slaves suffering in the southern states of America when they expressed their feelings by using Biblical imagery and African rhythmic music with hymns such as ‘Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord’ or songs such as ‘When the saints go marching in’.

"So jazz speaks to those who are broken and crushed and borne down by life.

"But it speaks too of a hope and a longing that somehow God will rescue them. It teaches us to be creative and to improvise - to make the best of the hand we have been given and to cope with the discordant notes that are thrown at us.”

Councillor Richard Bertin, chair of the Vale Organisers said: “ I am very pleased that the church has decided to support our first Vale Jazz fest and it is fantastic news that the Archbishop will not only be taking this service but also launching it as well. I hope this will be well supported and will hopefully become an annual event.”

The Reverend Ben Andrews, Rector of Barry added: “We are delighted as a parish to be involved in the Barry Jazz festival and look forward to welcoming people to St Mary's on Sunday on what we hope will become an annual event.”

The festival opens on King Square, Barry at 4pm on Friday. Dr Morgan will also be preaching at a service at St Mary's Church, Barry on Sunday at12.30pm.