Next month will see the return of the Isle of Wight Jazz Weekend, when various venues in Newport will be echoing with some of the UK's finest jazz.

This year will see a return to Newport Minster after a major refurbishment.

The Isle of Wight Jazz Weekend will be held from September 18 to September 22, with a range of free and ticketed events.

Headlining Saturday is Tony Kofi’s Inside Straight which was formed to showcase the music
of the late Cannonball Adderley.

Tony is a multi-instrumentalist and a player of the soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxophones as well as the flute.

Having cut his teeth in the Jazz Warriors of the early 90s, he has since gone on to establish himself as a multi-award-winning musician, teacher and composer.

Adderley worked with Miles Davis, before embarking on a solo career cut short by his untimely death at 46.

Opening the weekend on the Wednesday at Newport Methodist Church is vocalist and bass player Nicola Farnon, making her festival debut.

Nicola originally studied classical cello and piano before embracing jazz. She will bring a natural musicality, versatility and attention to detail, with classic songs ranging from the 1930s to the 1970s.

Friday night features a doubleheader of events at Quay Arts where two stalwarts of Island
jazz will be leading the proceedings.

Upstairs you will find Gary Plumley’s Alley Cats, a fusion/funk band known for their interpretations of numbers by Herbie Hancock, Jaco Pastorius, the Crusaders and Michael Brecker among others.

Gary is no stranger to Island audiences with an impressive CV that includes gigs with acts ranging from Sax Appeal to George Michael.

Meanwhile, with an equally impressive CV is Island-based bassist Jon Thorne, who has worked with artists as diverse as Robert Plant, Charlotte Church and Donovan.

Jon will be downstairs in the café leading a trio through the songbook of Duke
Ellington is famed for such classics as Take the A Train and Mood Indigo.

Opening proceedings on Sunday at Quay Arts is lsland-based Tom Ford.

Originally from Birmingham, he spent his youth playing across the UK before going to Boston USA to study jazz composition at Berklee College of Music. He fuses neo-soul, pop and jazz to create his signature Tom Ford sound.

Tickets are available from iwjazzweekend.co.uk

Also representing the Island is guitarist Nick Page, who loves the Island so much that he
composed his own “Isle of Wight Suite”, paying a musical tribute to some of his favourite
local places.

Influenced by Charlie Parker, Nick can be found on Saturday afternoon in Newport Methodist Church.

Event director Jim Thorn said: “It is a real pleasure to curate the event, and put together a diverse programme of events where there is something for everyone.

“Tickets are selling well and are available through our website which also has full details and timings of all events.”

There may be tickets available on the door, but to guarantee a seat, booking in advance is
advised.