If you don’t fancy a film tomorrow night, then why not head to Havenstreet Steam Railway for the Havenstreet Midsummer Jazz event.
Following the loss of the annual Mottistone Midsummer Jazz comes a fantastic new event to be held at Havenstreet Railway Station.
All proceeds will go towards restoration and preservation work at the IW Steam Railway, which is a registered educational charity.
With gates opening at 5pm, whilst you arrive you’ll be entertained by Southern Rag-a-Jazz (a strolling traditional jazz band) on the railway platform and on the field where the concert is being held.
The first band for the evening programme will be the Dave Shepherd Dixielanders, with Dave Shepherd on clarinet, Enrico Tomasso on trumpet, Roy Williams on Trombone, Len Skeat on Double Bass, Nick Dawson on Drums and Stan Bourke on Piano.
They will play from about 7pm – 8.20pm, after which they will make way for the main band of the evening; Pete Long’s Goodman Orchestra.
These gentlemen (15 of them in all) plus lady vocalist (Joan Viskant) will recreate the world famous Bennie Goodman concert of 1938, held at Carnegie Hall in New York.
Pete Long, the band leader and soloist, is well known on the British jazz scene and has a long and distinguished pedigree, starting out at the National Youth Jazz Orchestra and working amongst others with Jools Holland and the BBC Big Band.
This year it is 100 years ago that Benny Goodman was born and Pete Long and the band are celebrating that with this marvellous tribute.
The show will start around 8.45pm and finish around 11pm.
People who have bought tickets for the evening can arrive earlier if they wish and for an extra £5.00 take a round trip on the last steam train of the day which leaves at 3.59pm.
Ticket prices have been kept to just £15.00 to enable as many people as possible to come to the event, which it is hoped will be repeated annually and maybe even extended to two nights next year.
Tickets are available (by phone) from the IW Steam Railway on 01983 882204 or (in person) from the County Press Shop or the Melbourne Ardenlea Hotel, Queens Road, Shanklin or online from Wightlink
Bits and Bobs:
Venue: the exhibition field at Havenstreet Steam Railway
Times: gates open at 5pm – finish 11pm (approx)
Type: outdoor event (covered stage); people are welcome to bring their own blankets / fold-up chairs etc. and a picnic, although there will also be refreshments on-site, as well as a real ale / wine bar.
Tickets: £15.00 (for groups:12 tickets for the price of 10)
