Last weekend saw the Island rocking to the sounds of the successful Isle of Wight Jazz Weekend, which is now a staple feature of the UK jazz scene.

Event director Jim Thorn said: “A lot of hard work from a few volunteers goes into running this event each year but we are now being rewarded with comments from audience members and top professional musicians alike, telling us this is one of their favourite jazz festivals in the UK. 

"That sort of feedback makes all the effort worthwhile and we can’t wait to start planning next year.”

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The weekend opened on Wednesday at Newport Methodist Church with a sublime set from Sheffield-based Nicola Farnon, who was making her festival debut as part of a tour of the south. 

Thursday saw the traditional gig at Mountbatten, which could have been sold out twice over, for the gig by Cameron Rossi Quartet.

Cameron first came to notice through the Island’s youth jazz orchestra and has gone on to turn professional and is busy gigging and recording. His band’s high-energy gig was breathtaking.

Friday night at Quay Arts saw a number of local acts, including Ryde School Swing Band, Gary Plumley’s Alleycats, and Jon Thorne’s Echoes of Ellington quartet all take sets upstairs and downstairs, followed by a jam session. 

The venue was full and enthusiastic, the jam session went on until after midnight and featured many professionals jumping in.

Throughout the weekend there were well supported fringe events at many venues, with local musicians playing at the Bargeman's Rest, One Holyrood and other places.

The plan is for this aspect to be extended further in 2025.

Saturday opened with a brunch in the newly refurbished Minster with gypsy and French inspired jazz from Muse Manouche. 

It was a light and enchanting way to begin the weekend’s events at this wonderful venue. 

Next it was back to the Apollo Theatre for the trad jazz/Dixieland group, The Windy City Weatherbirds, with a lively set which included tributes to all their influences and had toes merrily tapping. 

Local musicians Sandor Stankovics (tuba) and Terry Dickinson (drums) seamlessly fitted in.

The afternoon concluded at Newport Minster with Sass and Brass fronted by trumpet player and vocalist Georgina Jackson backed by a six piece band including several faces familiar to Island audiences such as Matt Skelton and Karen Sharp.

Her set included tributes to both Duke Ellington and Frank Sinatra before closing with a rousing version of Route 66 which had the audience dancing in the aisles before giving the band a standing ovation.

Then it was to Quay Arts where David Newton, 16 times winner of Best UK Jazz Piano Player at the British Jazz Awards, gave an intimate and masterful solo piano recital.

The closing event of the day was at Newport Minster where Saturday headliner Tony Kofi’s Inside Straight formed to showcase the music of the late Julian Cannonball Adderley. Tony gave the Minster’s acoustics a thorough testing.

The final day got underway with a well-received opener from guitarist Tom Ford’s trio at Quay Arts, and a Shades of Shearing quintet at the Apollo, featuring the exact arrangements of the master pianist George Shearing.

With the event drawing to a close it was back to Quay Arts for another performance by pianist David Newton, now accompanied by long-time friend and collaborator, and Island favourite, Alan Barnes on alto and baritone saxes and clarinet.

Featuring work from their new album ’Tis Autumn, these two mainstays of the UK jazz scene were as inspiring and entertaining as ever.

There was no better way to end a magnificent weekend than with a full house at Newport Minster where Claire Martin, last here in 2018, gave an outstanding performance. 

She was supported by festival regular Jim Mullen, who has a long and distinguished career, and together they gave a wonderful performance.