************************* York Theatre Royal has joined forces with J-Night, Dune Records and City of York Council to bring award-winning stars such as Denys Baptiste, Abram Wilson, Andrew McCormack and Jazz Jamaica to the city. Dune Records is the award-winning company specialising in British jazz artists emerging from the seminal Jazz Warriors – which spawned Courtney Pine, Steve Williamson, Orphy Robinson and Gary Crosby. The Festival opens on Thursday 13 July when Jazz Jamaica return by popular demand with Motor City Roots - Jazz meets Motown. The 12 piece combo hits the spot with a world class line up, which includes stars such as Juliet Roberts, Soweto Kinch, Denys Baptiste and Alex Wilson, and embraces the legacy of the Motown label and its enormous contribution to the world of great music. The specially commissioned Delta Blues Project by sensational New Orleans trumpeter and vocalist Abram Wilson is staged on Friday 14 July. Wilson leads an explosive 10 piece line up of three bands in one, including the amazing Londorleans Brass Band, taking the listener on a journey from the blues of the Mississippi Delta to a hip hop jazz underworld. Andrew McCormack is the incredibly talented pianist with Denys Baptists, Abram Wilson and Kyle Eastwood. He takes centre stage with his quintet on Saturday 15 July at 5.30pm to pay tribute to one of the living legends, Herbie Hancock, in a special performance of the piano icon's Blue Note classic album Maiden Voyage. The festival finale on Saturday 15 July at 8.30pm features the Mercury Prize and MOBO winner - saxophonist Denys Baptiste with his celebratory performance of John Coltrane's classic album A Love Supreme. This special project marks the 80th anniversary of John Coltrane's birth. The Festival has now become a regular feature of summer in York and organisers are seeking to involve local people through workshops, education projects and foyer concerts. Organiser David Porter said, "We are delighted that the Dune Jazz Festival is returning to York Theatre Royal with some of the most exciting jazz artists around, covering a colourful spectrum to suit most tastes from Tamla Motown to the Delta Blues, from the classic Blue Note sounds of John Coltrane to the modern genius of Herbie Hancock Whatever the flavour, JAZZ is at the heart of all that we do!" Janine Irons, Managing Director/ CEO of The Dune Music Company Ltd and Tomorrow’s Warriors Ltd is to been awarded an MBE (Member of the Order Of The British Empire) for Services to the Music Industry in Her Majesty The Queen’s Birthday Honours. The award, given to individuals who have made a difference to society and in recognition of exceptional achievement and dedicated service, honours Janine’s tireless commitment over the past 10 years to developing a number of world-class, award-winning jazz artists and two internationally acclaimed companies now acknowledged as leaders in the field of jazz performance and recordings, and music education. Together with her partner, bassist Gary Crosby, she has successfully created one of the country’s leading independent record labels, Dune Records receiving critical acclaim from every corner of the globe. As artist manager, Janine has achieved significant success with more than 20 music awards having been collected by Dune artists since 1997 including two from the Mercury Music Prize for An Album Of The Year, two MOBO Awards, an Urban Music Award, several BBC Radio Jazz Awards and four international awards. York Dune Jazz Festival is supported by Arts Council England, Illuminate, City of York Council and the Alf Peacock Memorial fund. Tickets are priced £10.00-£20.00 with tickets for Under 25s and Students at £4.00 (A season ticket is also available from £35-£50). These can be purchased at the York Theatre Royal Box Office or by calling 01904 623568. Tickets are also available online at www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk. **************************