Sutton Coldfield Festival of Arts

• Venue: Sutton Library, Meeting Room 2

Carte Blanche Trio plays jazz standards at Sutton Coldfield Library (Meeting Room 2) on Saturday July 12 from 2.45pm to 3.30pm.

The group is fronted by legendary newsagent Bill Lowe, a saxophonist and clarinettist who is one of two remaining founder members of the Four Oaks Big Band.

With the big band he has just completed a season of popular monthly concerts at the Toby Inn in Sutton Park, playing arrangements of classic pieces by Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Stan Kenton, Artie Shaw and Ted Heath.

With Carte Blanche, veteran Bill gets more room to display his subtle artistry, in the company of flexible guitarist Alan Garwood (also seen on the main stage in The Parade with soul-rock band Caramany at 12 noon) and seasoned bassist Bob Bradley.

Together they tackle pieces from the Great American Songbook in sumptuous fashion.