This year, with the Belgrade Theatre under major redevelopment, we have opted to create our own unique, spectacular venue by introducing a huge marquee into the Cathedral Ruins. It is important to stress that this is a full-on festival venue, with all the usual facilities including a bar and with a no‑holds‑barred line up to boot. On Friday night, Georgie Fame is in the ascendant; Saturday sees the return of Courtney Pine and Sunday night soul singer Carleen Anderson maps out the common ground between Jazz and R&B.

Saturday afternoon is in the hands of the Phoenix Collective, plus a jam session led by Live Box. On Sunday, Polish trumpeter Tomasz Stańko brings one of the best small jazz groups in the world for an afternoon of mesmerising music.

Monday’s two header features bands associated with the late sixties Canterbury scene. The Soft Machine Legacy stars some of the longest‑serving members of that band, whilst Richard Sinclair, original bass player and writer with Caravan and Hatfield and the North joins forces with the mighty Tony Coe for a unique afternoon.

Elsewhere, Warwick Arts Centre and the University of Warwick Students’ Union complement the programme with gigs by Antonio Forcione, Soweto Kinch, Sergio Monroy and Gilles Peterson. St Mary’s Guildhall hosts concerts with a world flavour by Susheela Raman and Robert Mitchell with Omar Puente. The Herbert boasts some great late night sessions from the bands of Trudy Kerr, Clark Tracey and Ed Jones, as well as free lunchtime gigs. Lastly, we welcome a brand new live music venue to the Canal Basin. Taylor John’s House opens for business with Alex Wilson’s Latin quartet on Thursday and, amongst other things, Evan Parker on Sunday.

But back to the beginning, when the festival starts up on Thursday at 12.30pm for a free event in Priory Place, with excellent local fare from Decatone, Shkayla and The Big Easy. A great taster for what's to come.