Internationally-renowned clarinettist Emma Johnson has welcomed the Bingley Jazz Festival and says it will widen the appeal of jazz to younger people and families.

Described by big band legend Benny Goodman as a "mighty fine clarinettist", Emma is also a respected conductor, composer and arranger and this year celebrates the 20th anniversary of winning the BBC Young Musician of the Year competition.

She has been awarded an MBE for her services to music and won an award from jazz maestros Cleo Laine and John Dankworth for her jazz crossover work.

Emma's new album, Voyage, is a blend of jazz and classical tracks, featuring classical favourites and her own arrangements of works by Scott Joplin, Leroy Anderson and Benny Goodman.

"Jazz and classical music is becoming more popular now, thanks to artists like Jamie Cullum and Katie Mellua, and it's good that there is more choice available for younger people," said Emma, 37.

"There's an informality to jazz events that makes them fun. I like the idea of this event being held in a variety of venues, with some outdoor concerts, which makes it all more accessible to people.

"Younger people in particular are often put off by the idea of sitting through a concert in a stuffy hall, where everyone is dressed up. Classical and jazz events have got better at presentation in recent years - concerts tend to be a lot more fun these days - but we still need to evolve and move with the times.

"Having a three-day festival will bring lots of fun to this town and will hopefully introduce new music to a younger audience who may not normally attend a jazz concert."

Jazz enthusiasts from across Britain are expected to attend the three-day festival, sponsored by JCT600 and the Telegraph & Argus. It is being hosted by Lord Mayor of Bradford Councillor Allan Hillary to "celebrate Bingley" and raise funds for his appeal supporting young people's organisations Outward Bound and the Nell Bank outdoor activity centre in Ilkley.

The festival has been welcomed by traders and community leaders in Bingley as a way of raising the town's profile nationally and boosting businesses. Town centre manager David Dinsey said: "It will bring enormous benefits to places like shops, cafes, pubs, restaurants and hotels in the town. It's a great contribution to Bingley's regeneration.

"If people are coming from other areas of Britain to Bingley, that's got to be good for the town.

"Bingley has a long jazz tradition, with bands playing at the Brown Cow pub for many years and big jazz names like Humphry Lyttleton appearing at Bingley Arts Centre. This festival will be the start of a jazz revival here."

The festival, featuring 14 bands headlined by the Pasadena Roof Orchestra, runs from May 28 to 30. The line-up also includes the Mike Hoggard Trio, featuring Alan Barnes, Peter Frank's Dixieland All Stars and the Chicago Teddy Bears. Concerts will be held in a variety of venues and there will also be some outdoor concerts.

For more details ring (01274) 434965 or visit www.bingleyjazz.co.uk.