Harrogate International Festival is bouncing back from its grant scare of earlier this year.

Camden teen discovery Amy Winehouse, the urban jazz flavour of the moment, launches the festival on Saturday, July 24, at Harrogate International Centre: a sure sign of a revitalised festival determined to have its finger on the pulse.

The 19-year-old Londoner combines punchy urban beats with old soul, jazz with R&B and hip-hop, and she has received unstinting praise for last autumn's chart-topping debut album, Frank. Festival appearances at Glastonbury and V this summer affirm her status.

Fado superstar Mariza will play at the International Centre on July 31 in one of only two performances she has lined up for Britain this year. "World music's favourite cover girl has it all - charisma, stunning looks, a voice to die for - and Jools Holland as her biggest fan," says festival director William Culver-Dodds. "If you've previously experienced one of her concerts, we already know you'll be first in line for tickets."

Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra will make his return to the International Centre on August 1. A superstar by the age of 22, Marsalis is the leading American jazz artist of his generation, and his Harrogate concert will be his only British date outside London this year.

Another festival returnee will be the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, booked into Harrogate International Centre on August 6, when Libor Pesek will be the conductor and John Lill will be the piano soloist. Classic FM's Orchestra of the North, the Liverpool Philharmonic, will play Mendelssohn's Fingal's Cave and Beethoven's Emperor Concerto before the soaring melodies of Dvorak's New World Symphony bring the festival to a close.

Looking forward to this summer's event, director Culver-Dodds says: "Earlier this year the festival's future was looking grave, but now with our Harrogate Council grant secured for this year we have been able to bring the biggest names in jazz, world and classical music to Harrogate for everyone to enjoy."

Harrogate International Festival will run from July 24 to August 6. For up-to-date programme information or to subscribe to the festival's monthly email bulletins, visit the website at www.harrogate-festival.org.uk For festival tickets, ring 01423 537230.

Updated: 16:23 Thursday, May 20, 2004