THE Hamilton Quarter will be transformed into New Orleans' French Quarter from tomorrow until Sunday when they host their second annual Jazz Festival.

Top billing goes to Tommy Sancton, the great catch from '96, who returns with a full New Orleans band line-up, supported by Bill Greenow's Sydney Bechet-style quartet, celebrating the centenary of the great soprano sax player's birth.

The popular Riverboat Shuffle is repeated with the excellent band of clarinettist Chris Blount replacing Brian Carrick, who was injured in a motoring accident. Wirral's own Mississippi Jazz Band salutes King Oliver, while Bob Dwyer's Hot 7, with Bob 'Jelly Roll' Gough on piano, play Morton music.

Ken 'Dusty' Binns and the New Orleans Express extend the use of the aptly named New Orleans Bar - open during Saturday daytime for live jazz and refreshment - while 'Blues in the Pubs' is another Saturday treat.

'Piano Play Time' and, for insomniacs, 'The Late Night Club' stay at the Woodside Hotel.

Saturday sees marching bands out on the streets repeating last year's epic 'Battle of the Bands' in Conway Street.

By popular demand, Sunday morning's Gospel event returns to the Priory and Mahogany Hall (a special marquee on the Piazza in front of Woodside Ferry Terminal) will provide the setting for Tommy Sancton and special guest Pat Hawes to play the festival out in style with 'The Final Blow Out'.

Be there or you'll definitely be square!

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.