THE long anticipated line-up for the annual Ealing Jazz Festival has been announced, with American jazz-funk pioneer Roy Ayers taking the Saturday headline slot.

The festival, which takes place on Saturday July 23 and Sunday July 24 at Walpole Park, Mattock Lane, will also see performances from MOBO award-winning saxophonist YolanDa Brown, jazz flautist Keith Waithe and his Macussi Players and the all female septet Nerija.

K.O.G & The Zongo Brigade will be bringing West African vibes from Ghana via Sheffield, while fellow festival favourite Greek saxophonist Vasilis Xenopoulos will be returning as a quintet.

Councillor Bassam Mahfouz, cabinet member for transport, environment and leisure, said: “This year’s Ealing Jazz Festival is set to be one of the most exciting to date.

“By focusing on two fuller days, the festival has been carefully programmed to include both world renowned jazz acts that will perform in Ealing for the first time, while tipping our hats to festival favourites who have appeared at the festival for many years.

“The jazz festival is a great day out for residents and a much anticipated event on jazz lovers’ calendar.”

The line up also includes: B.Y.O.B (Bring Your Own Brass), Kate de Frietas & the Babacools, Gill Cook Quintet, Niji Adeleye The Boom Yeh, DJ Cal Jader, Rum Buffalo, The Manteccas, City Ramblers Revival Skiffle Band, Jules Faife & Zad Adda, J L J Trio, Band of Joy, Matt Findlay Band, Jack Honeyborne Band, Partikel and Benet McLean, Ealing Community Improvisation Orchestra, Femi Tomowo Trio, Rick Leon James Quartet, Fox & Kavuma, Tim Robinson and The Blue Amen.

The jazz festival forms part of the Ealing Summer Festivals programme organised by Ealing Council. Gates open at midday with performances starting at 12.30pm.

Advance tickets, priced at £5.50 per day and £11 per weekend, plus delivery fees, are on sale now at ealingsummerfestivals.com Tickets on the door are £7 per day or £12 for the weekend.