PEMBROKESHIRE’S biggest jazz celebration kicks off on Thursday, August 24, for five days of top class entertainment.

Topping the Saturday night bill this year will be none other than the festival’s president, saxophonist and flute player Nik Turner. The north Pembrokeshire-based founder of Hawkwind is renowned for his innovative bands and has been putting together a band specially for Aberjazz.

So far he has secured some brilliant young musicians, Stephen Jones, guitar, Charlie Scarr, drums, Gary Smart, bass, Kevin Davey, trumpet/flugel horn.

Nik will be playing in Theatr Gwaun on the Saturday at 7pm, tickets £10.

Sunday headliners Rocking in Rhythm bring a non-stop show which will appeal to every audience. It combines Paul Jones' legendary hits and more with the riveting jazz of Britain's newest all-star band Digby Fairweather's Half Dozen, teaming with Paul to bring the immortal songs of Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Louis Jordan and classics from the Great American Songbook.

Book a seat at Theatr Gwaun on the Sunday at 7:30pm. Tickets £22.50.

Also on the line-up, The Red Stripe Band sold out in 2015 in Ffwrn, and this year they are back again in the magnificent surroundings of the Fishguard Bay Hotel on the Friday.

Front man Neil Drinkwater on piano, vocals and keytar is joined by Helana-May Harrision on vocals, John O'Neil, tenor sax and clarinet, Lee Vivian, trumpet, Erica Clarke, baritone sax, flute and swanee whistle, Costa on banse and Ed Williams on percussion. This year they will be playing in the ballroom Fishguard Bay Hotel so there will be plenty of dancing room.

Tickets £15/£12.50.

Bob Kerr’s Whoopee Band will fill Theatr gwaun on the bank holiday Monday.

Established in 1967, the outfit is possibly the last of the great comedy jazz bands that combine zany musical and visual humour with lively jazz and impeccable musicianship.

The Whoopee Band was originally an offshoot of the eclectic Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, and shared many similarities with other outfits of the time such as The New Vaudeville Band and The Temperance Seven. Bob himself, who is mainly featured on trumpet and cornet, was a member of both the Bonzos and the New Vaudeville Band.

Tickets £15.

The Chris Ingham Quartet will kick off this year's festival events in Theatr Gwaun with a celebration of the music of the American composer Hoagy Carmichael. Tickets £10.

With upwards of 50 bands or workshops on the programme, the line-up undoubtedly has something for everyone, with many free events on the Aberjazz Fringe scattered around various venues in the town.

Full details at aberjazz.com.