Thousands of local residents enjoyed Ealing Jazz Festival's 30th anniversary as it rocked Walpole Park from Wednesday (July 29) to Sunday (August 2).

The festival kicked off on Wednesday with the Ken McCarthy quintet and Vasilis Xenopoulos Standard Time Quintet, and the festival co-founder's own band Sound of 17 Big Band closed the annual event on Sunday.

This year, Ealing Jazz Festival also paid tribute to event's co-founder Bev Bowles-Bevan, who sadly passed away this year at the age of 89.

Fine weather and great musicians made Ealing Jazz Festival's 30th anniversary one to remember.

Festival co-founder and artistic director Dick Esmond said: "It was brilliant, the 30th anniversary. We were lucky with the weather.

"Many, many thousands of people came. On Saturday and Sunday it was chock-a-block!

"The bands played above themselves, it was a very jubilant atmosphere... Every time I walked across the grass I had people approaching saying how much they enjoyed it. They [the performers] are all stars.

"It was trouble-free, a huge turn-out and a lovely event. Many people thought it was the best ever... A phenomenal show!

"We even had a visit by our new MP for Ealing Rupa Huq."

The festival, which launched in August 1985, also includes fringe "festival wind-up" events around Ealing that are free for the public:

Jazz Fringe event:

  • Thursday August 13: Festival "Wind-Up Night" at The Plough in Northfield Avenue, Ealing, from 8pm-12am

Ealing Jazz Festival fringe festivals are free.