With some last minute jumps through funding hoops, the Bancroft Maynooth Jazz and Blues Fest is back for another year under the professional direction of Jane Bunnett and Larry Cramer.

From Aug. 9 to 12, Performing Arts Bancroft, a contributing member group of the Algonquin Arts Council, with support from the Ontario Arts Council welcomes artistic directors Jane Bunnett and Larry Cramer along with a full slate of traveling musicians.

The Jazz & Blues Fest opens Aug. 9 with a talent competition and opening night party at the Arlington Hotel in Maynooth. At 8 pm, 10 not to be missed local musicians will provide musical selections of jazz and blues for a friendly competition for a small prize, judged by local celebrities and festival artists.

Guest artists will be invited to join the stage at 9 pm for a great night of music

and refreshments.

This is a free event.

Millennium Park is the place to be Aug. 10 in Bancroft at the band shell for a full evening of local talent and invited guests, hosted by Jane Bunnett and Larry Cramer.

The evening kicks off with Njacko Backo and Friends, music from Africa from 7 to 8 pm followed at 8 pm by the Bancroft Shows Their Roots (some of the finest musicians in the area match their talents with festival guests).

Lisa Particelli, Ori Dagan and Laura Hubert take the stage at 9 pm with their unique vocal style.

The Heavy Weights Brass Band will close the evening with hot New Orleans arrangements of your favourites that will surprise many, as well as original music. Adjacent to Millennium Park, The 580 Club will feature Jazz 91.1 FM Cafe

Latino's radio personality/vocalist Laura Fernandez and Noah Zacharin, entertaining between main stage events through out the evening as you enjoy food and beverages in our Jazz Cafe.

Saturday Aug. 11 brings the beats with a drumming circle, featuring Njacko Backo and Friends at the Maynooth Farmer's Market.

Stay on for a pig roast at the Maynooth Community Centre beside the Farmer's Market, with musical friends from 5 pm to 8 pm then stroll New Orlean's style to the Arlington at 9 pm for the feature event- Jane Bunnett's 30 Years Canada/Cuba Show with a walk through New Orleans.

Musical guests will include some of the top players from Cuba, Toronto and a New Orleans mash-up with the Heavy Weights Brass Band.

Sunday Aug. 12, the weekend will close with an inspirational farewell brunch in support of the Hastings Hunger Coalition, with music by local and invited guests.

The Gospel Brunch will begin at 11 am, with music at noon to 3 pm.

A portion of the proceeds from all events will go towards the Jazz & Blues Fest for 2013.

Find us on Facebook - Bancroft Maynooth Jazz & Blues Fest, call 613.474.3309 and/or 613.3328.5651, email myc6@nexicom.net for more information and tickets.