JAZZ fans got a taste of this month’s Oxford Jazz Festival with the sweet sax sounds of the Annemarie Nelson Quartet.

Featuring 60 performances in 30 venues, organisers hope this year’s will be the best yet, with a strong focus on British performers.

The quartet entertained jazz fans at the Big Bang restaurant in Walton Street on Tuesday.

Bassist and festival co-founder Paul Jeffries said: “We played some mainstream jazz, a lot of great standards, and swing. I am ecstatic about this jazz festival. It’s going to be a great one.

“There are going to be some great British artists and we try to feature as much local talent as possible.”

The festival starts on April 21 and performances will be held at venues including the Ashmolean Museum and the Randolph Hotel.

Founder and Big Bang owner Max Mason said: “The festival is about putting jazz into venues for people who would not normally see it.”