Could Annan become south Scotland’s New Orleans?

The promoters say they were pleased with the turnout at a recent meeting held in the town’s Market Hall.
Building on the success of the near-by Lockerbie Jazz Festival, fans of the genre in the Annan area hope the club could stage several guest jazz musicians a year and hold regular meetings.
One of the organisers, Marilyn Elliott, explained that newcomers to jazz would be encouraged and there would be taster and learning sessions.
She said: “We were very pleased with the response. At the meeting there were a number of suggestions made and questions asked.
“One was providing an educational aspect, both for students and other members, possibly through record-sharing evenings.”
Mrs Elliott explained that the original aim of just four club nights in the first year was considered at the meeting to be too few with monthly get-togethers preferred.
One potential member suggested that Annan was in a prime position to fill a ‘gap in the market’ in the jazz club circuit between Manchester and Glasgow.
It was suggested that a good promotional move might be to have a stand at the Annan Harbour Festival.
Mrs Elliott, who is also involved in the Lockerbie Jazz Festival, indicated that Annan musician Andrew Turnbull had offered to assist with his DG Kollective Big Band.
She added: “The club, it was suggested, should not solely concentrate on bringing in international performers but also use local musicians and have ‘jam’ sessions.”