The Larmer Tree Festival, held at Larmer Tree Gardens in Tollard Royal, Wiltshire is now in its 14th year. Officially it runs from July 17-21, but this year there is a special pre-festival concert from Van Morrison tonight.

Van The Man is so well respected and has been around for so long now, I guess no one was going to take issue with him rescheduling the festival for his own convenience.

Born George Ivan Morrison in Belfast at the end of the Second World War, his musician parents schooled him well in jazz and blues. In a rare interview, he said: "I heard all this black music in my house when I was a kid: blues, gospel, Leadbelly, Mahalia Jackson, Muddy Waters, Sonny Boy Williamson. This music inspired me to start playing gigs and joining bands."

Considered a musical innovator and a lyrical visionary, he has more than 20 studio albums to his name and is credited with numerous modern classics such as Gloria, Brown Eyed Girl, Bright Side of The Road and Have I Told You Lately. He has penned over 300 songs and of them considers Soldier Of Fortune one of the most moving. "In a way, I feel that's my situation," he said. "I'm a soldier of fortune. A mercenary soldier in my field."

He has a massive, devoted fan base and the respect of his peers - many of whom he has collaborated with over the years. He's also picked up a clutch of awards including the Brit award for Lifetime Achievement and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993.

Some that have met him have found him temperamental and surly. Certainly he's known for being media hostile and has let his songs speak for him.

Today his voice is as strong, rich and unmistakable as ever. On stage, standing at under five and a half feet tall, he's not known for his stage presence and is generally a man of few words. I guess you can't really expect too many whistles and bells from an artist fast approaching 60 (Tom Jones excluded) and given to wearing black. Whatever, the man's still a musical legend.

Support tomorrow is provided by Derrin Nauendorf & David Downing and Amy Wadge.

The festival proper begins on Thursday with Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra. Jools seems to be a bit of a feature on the souths festival scene this year and will be playing the Eastleigh festival in a couple of weeks. His orchestra is well established, hugely popular and features vocalist Sam Brown.

Thursday's support is provided by Loop Garou and the Lemongrove.

The Larmer Tree Festival provides an opportunity to hear some fantastic music in beautiful surroundings. The landscaped gardens are complemented by eastern temples, Nepalese pagodas and roaming peacocks. With a packed picnic and some evening sunshine it should be a festival to remember.

For further details and ticket prices check out the website www.larmertree.co.uk or telephone 023 8071 1820.