The National Jazz Archive has announced a series of fundraising concerts over four weekends from May to October to raise funds for its Heritage Lottery Fund project, The Story of British Jazz.

The first concerts, held on May 30 and 31, will feature performances from the Gresty-White Ragtimers and Kenny Ball’s Jazzmen, led by Keith Ball.

Digby Fairweather, founder of the Loughton-based Archive, said: “We are deeply grateful to so many friends of the Archive for giving their services for these concerts absolutely free – it is wonderful that they are helping to ensure the continuing work of the Archive like this.”

The concerts will take place at Loughton Methodist Church and tickets are priced between £12 and £20, with reduced prices for the pair of events.

For full details visit: www.nationaljazzarchive.org.uk/events