Jazz festival lures visitors to Nanstein Castle

***image3***The Unnerhaus Culture Club holds its Eighth International Castle Jazz Festival today to Sunday at Nanstein Castle in Landstuhl.

The event features traditional Dixieland to big band jazz and blues.
It kicks off at 8 p.m. today with the duet Janice Harrington and Tom Shaka presenting the blues. Another blues highlight follows with B.B. King’s former bass player Big Joe Turner and his band Memphis Blues Caravan.

***image2***After a jam session and fireworks display, performances continue until midnight in the castle towers with Smitty, lead singer of the band Uptown Shufflers and pianist Molli.

Saturday, the festival starts at 3 p.m. with the New Orleans Preachers from Nancy, France, presenting marching music. For the first time, the Milano Hot Jazz Orchestra from Italy performs at this festival. Both bands provide the traditional castle jazz feeling. In between there will be boogie woogie with pianist Christoph Mons.

***image1***The musical highlight is the performance of the Trevor Richards New Orleans Band with world renowned musicians. After the fireworks display, the event continues until midnight in one of the castle towers.

Sunday starts with a jazz session and “Frühschoppen,” early-morning beer, at 11 a.m. The bands New Orleans Preachers, Milano Hot Jazz Orchestra and Unnerhaus Marching Band take turns in entertaining the visitors. The Unnerhaus Marching Band invites children to participate in a kids session. Low Budget and Harald Krüger close out the festival with rock ‘n’ roll of the 1950s until 8 p.m.

A fest tent is set up in the castle yard, where international and local food specialties are offered. A little wine pub is next to the main stage.
Advance tickets are available at the the bookstore “Böhm” in Landstuhl, phone 06371-2742, and at the Unnerhaus in Landstuhl, phone 06371-2742.
Tickets cost €22 today, €26 Saturday and €9 Sunday. Advance tickets for today and Saturday are €4 less. The advance festival ticket for all days is €40 and €48 at the door. Admission for children under 12 is free.