A MOUTH-WATERING line-up of virtuoso talent from all over the world has been put together by organisers of this year's Cheltenham International Jazz Festival.

A smorgasbord of blue notes, fluid scales and syncopated rhythms is set to get the town swinging over the first weekend of May.

A chance to hear Jools Holland step out of the small screen to demonstrate his charm and skills alongside his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra is being offered by way of an opener on Thursday, May 5.

The Jazz Jamaica All Stars will keep the momentum going the following night with a super-cool mix of ska, reggae and jazz from some of the best players in the country.

Also performing that night will be Randy Brecker, who has played trumpet alongside the likes of Frank Zappa, James Taylor and Bruce Springsteen.

He will even be sacrificing his post-gig lie-in to make his way down to Dean Close School on Saturday morning, where he will explain (with help from the Birmingham Conservatoire Big Band and the Dean Close Jazz Quintet) just how and where he learned the techniques that have made him one of the world's best.

Saxophonists Jan Garbarek, David Murray and John Surman will delight purists with their immaculate skills, while Abdullah Ibrahim (formerly known as Dollar Brand) will be bringing his unique brand of rolling, gospel-inspired blues all the way from South Africa.

Bank Holiday Monday will resound to the pounding sounds of some of the world's best drummers, including a half-hour piece played by six expert percussionists in protest at the use of drum machines in the music industry.

For the first time since it began in 1996, the festival will feature performances, workshops, exhibitions and talks around the town in a Fringe Festival.