GREENWICH music fans will be left feeling kind of blue at the end of this year’s annual jazz festival.

The Greenwich Riverfront Jazz Festival, celebrating its 27th anniversary, could take place for the very last time next month after falling victim to funding cuts.

Organising committee member Chris Hare said: “It’s been very successful for 27 years.

“But it’s become more and more difficult to get funding when councils are being hammered by cuts.”

At its peak the festival attracted up to 10,000 music fans and put on 115 gigs across 36 venues.

Bass player Dave Silk helped set up the event with other musicians over a pint at the Lord Hood pub in Creek Road.

He said: “We put together the festival in about half an hour.

“It was an instant success.”

One early festival was boosted by the chance arrival of the HMS Ark Royal, when 2,000 seamen descended on Greenwich.

And Mr Hill said his own highlight was the ‘jazz ballet in the sky’ when two planes from Biggin Hill flew while a suite of jazz songs were played from a boat to the crowds on shore.

He said: “It leaves behind lots of little legacies, and lots of memories.”

This year’s festival runs from May 5, featuring 12 events over five days.

Mr Hare said: “Defying cuts in funding, there is no reduction in quality.” News Shopper: Wendy Nieper

Events range from TJ Johnson and the Brunch Bunch Band at the Lord Hood pub on the opening day lunchtime, to an evening featuring vocalist Anton Browne along with renowned vibes player Lewis Wright plus trio and guests at Up the Creek on Monday May 9 at 8pm.

Other highlights include singer Wendy Nieper who joins Rodney Mendoza Trio for some cool Jazz at a festival satellite venue, the Dartford Working Men’s Club in Essex Road, Dartford.

Starting at 8pm on May 5, admission is £7 (£5 conc) and there are some twenty real ales available at the bar.

The festival also features three evenings at Oliver's Bar in Nevada Street Greenwich – The Peter’s Quartet on May 6, Mark Perry Quartet on May 7 and Steve Morrison – Blues Abuse on May 8.

The unique Lord Hood pub stages an all dayer with 11 bands playing from 12 noon onwards on Saturday May 8.

Peter de Wits in Greenwich Church Street hosts saxophone giant Frank Griffith on May 7.

Other venues include the North Pole on Greenwich High Road who present Andrea Britton and Steven Large on Sunday evening May 8.

The Clarendon Hotel features solo pianist Martin Blackwell on Sunday lunchtime May 8.

The Festival finale is at The Rivington Grill, also on Greenwich High Road on Tuesday evening May 10. They stage vocalist Judith Sim along with Rodney Mendoza on piano and Dave Silk on bass.

For full details visit riverfrontjazz.co.uk