The bank holiday weather forecast for May 2 to 5, 2008 is always good! This also applies to the extraordinary selection of jazz and blues that is once more being served up at the fourth Mumbles Mostly Jazz and Blues Festival.

The festival kicks off in some style with the soulful jazz funk of Average White Band founder member, lead singer and guitarist Hamish Stuart and his band. And what a band, with Ian Thomas on drums (Sting, Madonna, Ray Charles, Scott Walker), Steve Pearce on bass (Stevie Wonder, Bryan Ferry, Madonna, Seal) and, of course, Hamish on vocals and guitar, who played for six years with Paul McCartney plus George Benson, Diana Ross etc etc. Not a bad line-up to start!

Saturday starts off around 1pm with the remarkable roots blues band The Spikedrivers. Three master musicians, they deliver American roots that "conjure a presence, a sense of place, from a sound" – so said the magazine Blues in Britain. Not to be missed and, believe us, we won't.

Saturday evening kicks off with a newly formed blues band, which consists of the funkiest musicians from the parallel worlds of blues, jazz and rock returning to their roots: The Baddest Blues Band (Ever!). Then on to the main course with The Hamsters. What can we say? "They are fabulous, one of Britain's very best live bands" – Bob Harris of Radio 2 said that, not us. They play rock blues better than anyone – so says everyone! Loud, proud and gut-achingly good. Have a ball!

Sunday afternoon chills down with the fantastic sounds of Lee Gibson – a "jazz vocal sensation", said The Independent – with the Dave Cottle Trio. As to Sunday night, well the night doesn't come any bigger, with the BBC Big Band hitting Mumbles for six. The top names in jazz play in this awesome 17-piece juggernaut of a band. It has entertained thousands with international stars such as Tony Bennett, George Shearing, Michel Legrand, Louie Bellson, James Morrison, Lalo Schifrin, Ray Charles, Patti Austin, Amy Winehouse and Dr. John. It's a must see.

And then to finish off on Monday we once again have the genius that is Brian Breeze and his Rhythm & Blues Band, with a powerful ensemble, which will include Dave Cottle on keyboards and trumpet, Richard Cottle on keyboards and sax, Paul Smith on drums, and Robin Hames on bass. Rave on!

Whew!! So get some tickets for these and more top-class jazz and blues acts, which will be appearing in the Marquee and the festival's second major venue at the Conservative Club over the weekend. Smaller, more intimate gigs will also be found all over Mumbles in locals such as the Park Inn, Victoria Inn and Beaufort Arms and at the Mumbles Cricket Club, Rugby Club and Yacht Club; some of these gigs will be free.