AS REPORTED in the GUARDIAN last month the Nantwich Jazz and Blues festival is in the latter stages of planning with several top gigs lined up.

But, as always with the festival the big paid-for gigs are not all that is on offer.

The last two days of the festival, Sunday 15 and Monday 16 April, see almost 50 acts appearing totally free in pubs and hotels around the town.

Saturday sees most of the shows with performances starting at 12pm and running until 10.30pm.

Among the shows are Merseyside-based Blue C who will be bringing their acoustic guitar and harmonica music to The Vine Inn and The Red Cow pubs on Saturday.

The music of Blue C has been described as Blues Drenched Style with superior song writing and the shows begin at 2pm and 6pm respectively.

Also making two appearances on Saturday are the Hot Foot jazzmen.

The duo have appeared on regional TV and at a variety of clubs and pubs across the country.

The show features tunes from the jazz and dance era and they are to appear at McCormick's at 2pm and The Vine Inn at 6pm.

On Monday contemporary blues classics, swing and jazz are on show as Big Blue House play at the Crown Ballroom.

Featuring Jim Kirkpatrick, who is aged 21 and has been described as one of the most exciting blues players in the North West.

Also on Monday at The Swan With Two Necks is Paul Bayliss and Steve Mead, a renowned mellow guitar and sax partnership. Both shows start at 4pm.

There are plenty more shows being staged and there are styles to suit almost everyone.

For a full programme of the free and paid for events you can contact 625283.