Young musicians from York Performing Arts Centres will have the exciting opportunity to take part in a series of inspirational workshops led by world class British Jazz appearing in this year's York Dune Jazz Festival.

The festival, organised by Creative Arts Promotion Ltd, in partnership with City of York Council, Dune Records and J-Night, will take over York Theatre Royal for three days of thrilling music from Thursday 5 to Saturday 7 July. 

This year marks the bi-centenary of the abolition of the slave trade and Dune Records' tenth anniversary. In celebration of these important dates the theatre will host live performances of new work, inspirational workshops and academic debates led by Dune's award-wining roster of artists in partnership with J-Night and City of York Council. 'Let Freedom Ring!' York Dune 2007 will celebrate the importance of black artists and music in post-abolition UK and involve new projects from Jazz Jamaica, Soweto Kinch, Abram Wilson, Denys Baptiste and Gary Crosby.

A total of 15 young musicians will get the chance to have a masterclass with alto saxophonist, Soweto Kinch. One of the most exciting and versatile young musicians on the British Jazz scene, Kinch, has worked with two of the most important jazz luminaries in Britain, saxophonist Courtney Pine and double-bassist Gary Crosby.

After his festival performance on Friday 6 July, fabulous New Orleans born trumpeter, vocalist and rapper, Abram Wilson, will led a jazz jam in the York theatre Royal Foyer to include a group of musicians from the Performing Arts Centres.

Abram will also be visiting the Performing Arts Centre 1 at Canon Lee School on Saturday 7 July to give a workshop to budding young jazz musicians.

Donna Fox, City of York Council's young people's arts officer, said: "This is a unique opportunity for young musicians from the Performing Arts Centres to play alongside some of the best contemporary jazz artists in Britain. It is a key priority for the arts education service to encourage connections between the performing arts centres and city wide festivals and events. Young people can enjoy high quality experiences, and be inspired by professional artists through active involvement in the festival. This education programme will provide new challenges and motivation to the young musicians."

York has three performing arts centres based at Canon Lee School on Saturday morning, Millthorpe School on Wednesday afternoon and Archbishop Holgate School on Friday afternoon. There are a variety of performing arts activities including the York Youth Jazz Band, a funk ensemble and the York Area Big Band.

For more information about the performing arts centres, please contact the Arts and Culture office on 01904 554660 or visit www.york.gov.uk/education

For tickets to the York Dune Jazz Festival call 01904 623568 or visit www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk