Local bands saddle up for south west tour

Three Bristol jazz bands have ditched their tour bus for a week-long tour of the south west's music venues.

One hundred and fifty miles in six days would be tough enough for anyone, but the bands - Morningstar, Milon and Pop Parker – are taking a double bass, drums, saxophone and a guitar along with them.

They started with an impromptu gig at the Castle Park band stand in Bristol yesterday, before heading to Bath, then on to Chippenham, Frome, Yeovil and Bridport this week, followed by their final gig at the Square and Compass in Worth Matravers on the Dorset coast this weekend.

The band members taking part are: Dino Christodoulou, 48, of St George; Jon Short, 29, of Cotham; John Blakeley, 29, of St Paul's; Neil Smith, 45, of St George; Mark Barber, 45, of Totterdown; and Jesse Vernon, 40, of Paris.

Dino Christodoulou said: "I decided to do it here after doing a similar journey to Spain. I travelled 1,200km from north to south while busking with my sax.

"The only reason to do it is to play, and so we don't have to be in a van. It should be pleasant, if it doesn't rain.

"If it works I would like to do it again next year, with more bands."

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1. Queen - Bicycle Race
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