County Durham's loudest festival is back — with brilliant bands and musicians heading to the region for a 10 day celebration of all things brass.

BRASS 2018

'BRASS 2018' takes place from Friday 13th to Sunday 22nd July, and sees a special focus on female performers, starting with 'Women and Brass' on the festival's opening night.

The concert will feature a big band formed of leading female jazz musicians, led by 74-year-old drummer Crissy Lee, a member of the pioneering Ivy Benson Band who became one of the most famous dance bands during the Second World War.

The show also features Swedish jazz trumpet star Gunhild Carling, a brass internet sensation who will bring her high-energy performance to the stage.

Showcase

Paul Gudgin, Artistic Director of the Durham BRASS Festival told 4BR: "The 2018 Festival provides us a great opportunity to celebrate the increasing prominence of female musicians in all forms of brass music.

It's a privilege to showcase many of the leading female musicians from the classical, jazz and the brass band world."

Brass bands

Brass bands are well represented in a number of interesting events.

NASUWT Riverside is teaming up with leading Northern Soul Band 'Keep The Faith' for a fascinating cross-over performance in Nothern Soul Hotspot, Easington.

Meanwhile, National Champion Brighouse & Rastrick will perform with West End Star Liza Pulman in a unique collaboration celebrating the songs of Barbara Streisand.

The Festival will conclude with a large free concert in Wharton Park where Reg Vardy will be joined by a big choir to perform Carl Orff's 'Carmina Burana'.

The 2018 Festival provides us a great opportunity to celebrate the increasing prominence of female musicians in all forms of brass musicPaul Gudgin, Artistic Director of the Durham BRASS Festival

International flavour

The 12th annual festival boasts a true international flavour, with Australian trumpeter James Morrison, New Orleans' all-female jazz band 'Shake 'Em Up' and street bands from France, Serbia and Spain.

A Street Ceilidh led by a Scottish street band promises to have people up on their feet and dancing, while the Scottish Swing Orchestra will join with a local chorus for swing versions of Hollywood musical tunes from films including 'The Sound of Music', 'Chicago' and 'Hairspray'.

The festival will also see bands head out into schools across the county for special performances for over 15,000 children as well as giving pupils the chance to have a go at playing brass instruments for themselves.

More information and tickets

For more information and to book tickets to all BRASS events visit: http://www.brassfestival.co.uk/