This year's festival is sponsored by Smith & Williamson and Ashfords.

Accountancy, investment management and tax group Smith & Williamson, and national legal and professional services provider Ashfords, will jointly sponsor the festival for the first time.

Festival producer Colin Gorrie, said: “The Board of Trustees and Management are proud to welcome two leaders in Bristol's corporate sector, Ashfords and Smith & Williamson, as the festival's first major sponsors. This support reflects their confidence in what the festival has achieved in four short years, and confirms the importance it gives to our city's cultural development. We’re very much looking forward to developing our partnership with Ashfords and Smith & Williamson with the most exciting festival programme to date.”

Chris Dyson, head of Ashfords’ Bristol office, commented: "Ashfords is delighted to be sponsoring the Bristol Jazz & Blues Festival and supporting one of our city’s biggest music events. The festival has continued to grow year on year and we are looking forward to welcoming an exciting line-up of musicians to Bristol this March.”

Mike Lea, managing partner of Smith & Williamson’s Bristol office, said: “We are very pleased to be sponsoring Bristol’s International Jazz and Blues Festival in 2017 and look forward to a star-studded line up. Last year, we sponsored the festival’s launch reception which was such a hit with our clients, colleagues and friends of the firm that we couldn’t resist coming back for more. The festival’s reputation has grown significantly over the years and it’s a privilege to be part of it.”