The Birmingham International Jazz Festival celebrates its 25th Silver Anniversary this evening, with an All Star Jam Session at the city’s Botanical Gardens. It was a jam session in 1984 – fronted by the late Humphrey Lyttleton - that directly led to the very first festival , and went on to become  the Sunday Times’ ‘jazz record of the year’. The show tonight will be packed with some of the biggest names in British jazz, and will feature two interchangeable front lines. The full line up is:

1. Digby Fairweather (trumpet). Festival Patron and the only one of the Team of 1984 to play in this year’s version.
2. Enrico Tomasso (trumpet). Trumpet player with an authentic jazz pedigree, as a 7 year old famously played to Louis Armstrong on the tarmac at Leeds Airport. ‘I’ve not seen so much talent anywhere’, commented the great man.
3. Robert Fowler (tenor sax). Original and powerful soloist on tenor sax, baritone sax and clarinet. Played with the Pasadena Roof Orchestra and Alan Barnes’ Octet.
4. Art Themen (tenor sax). British Jazz Award winning, ex-orthopaedic surgeon (!), played with Alexis Korner, Mick Jagger and Jack Bruce.
5. Mark Nightingale (trombone). Ex MYJO and NYJO trombonist who has worked with international stars including Ray Brown and Clark Terry.
6. Ian Bateman (trombone). Versatile trombonist and member of Acker Bilk’s Paramount Jazz Band. Regular player with the Ronnie Scott Big Band.
7. Jim Hart (vibes). Talented drummer, pianist and vibes player. A regular with Sir John Dankworth’s bands.
8. David Newton (piano). One of the country’s most versatile and talented pianists. A regular winner of British Jazz Awards.
9. Dave Green (double bass). Freelance bassist and member of the Chris Barber Band. Played with Benny Goodman, Coleman Hawkins and Sonny Rollins.
10. Ralph Salmins (drums). One of the country’s most accomplished jazz drummers. Played with everyone from Madonna and Bob Dylan to James Moody and Jimmy Wetherspoon.
11. Val Wiseman (vocals). West Bromwich born singer, closely associated with the Billie Holiday tribute ‘Lady Sings the Blues’. Numerous recordings under her own name.

Tickets £10 (0121 454 7020 or 0121 454 1860)