A CALL has been sounded to horn players from throughout the region, to take part in a community event in conjunction with this year's Wangaratta Festival of Jazz and Blues.

In a similar vein to the festival's 2017 project – which offered local musicians the chance to play alongside Australian rock band Spiderbait – those involved in this year's initiative will learn and play with Melbourne–based New Orleans–style group Horns of Leroy at the 2022 festival.

An 'army of musicians' of all ages and abilities is needed for the project, which will see them take part in a series of workshops with Horns of Leroy, before a public performance on the Sunday of the festival in October.

For that show, the local musicians will congregate at the top of Merriwa Park and march through the market stalls and crowd to the main stage in Wangaratta's popular sunken gardens, where they will perform two songs with Horns of Leroy and acclaimed singer Thando.

Those who play woodwind, brass and percussion instruments are invited to take part; instruments just need to be portable and unamplified, and musicians able to play them.

Scott Solimo, the festival's co–artistic director, said organisers were excited about the project.

"We want to try and get the community involved, and encourage local musicians, and it was proven in 2017 that an opportunity like this is really well–received," he said.

"If there is anyone out there who would like to be part of it, they can register on the festival website (https://wangarattajazz.com).

"We want to get people up and going, and excited that the festival is back and live."

Horns of Leroy has earned a reputation for delivering raucous shows featuring insatiable energy – inspired by the sounds of New Orleans, and fused with the energy of Melbourne's streets.

The group has performed hundreds of shows on stages from the MCG to Splendour in the Grass, from Dark Mofo to the hallowed Hamer Hall and Adelaide Cabaret Festival.

Its grand sounds have been heard nationally and on a variety of platforms; they achieved broader success courtesy of a cover of the famous Victoria Bitter jingle, a viral cover of Justin Bieber's 'Sorry', and television appearances on The Project and Big Music Quiz.

Recognised as one of Australia's premier brass bands, Horns of Leroy has shared the stage with the likes of Peking Duk, The Black Sorrows, Vika and Linda Bull, Angus Stone, Kate Ceberano and the Rockwiz Orchestra.

The first of the three workshops planned in the lead–up to the festival will be held on Saturday, April 9 at the Wangaratta High School performing arts centre in Edwards Street.

Further sessions will be held on July 16, and on October 29 (the day before the performance).

For more information, visit the Wangaratta Festival of Jazz and Blues website.