Only one week to go before Ventnor welcomes major names from the jazz world for the annual Jazz Festival and the sun has started to shine! Here’s an overview of what to expect this year, so if you haven’t already got tickets to do all or a bit of it there is still time to work it out and buy in advance.
There have been some changes but be in no doubt whatsoever that this festival starts next Friday and that there is a great variety of sounds this year for all ages and music lovers to try out.
The Winter Gardens auditorium hosts the main acts during each day, from Friday 11 April at midday, for Day Pass or Stroller/Package ticket holders.
Day passes and Weekend Stroller tickets can be purchased in advance (advisable) or you could take a chance on the day. Here you can see Southampton Jazz Youth Orchestra with special guest on piano (replacing Edana Minghella), Aydenne Simone & the Jazz Culture Band, Sophie Garner with the Jazzcotech Dancers, Terry Seabrook’s Cubana Bop, an afternoon with Ian Shaw, Cameron Pierre, Tony Smith & Co, Gilad Atzmon and the Orient House Ensemble, Tony Kofi Trio with Byron Wallen, Protect the Beat with Derek Nash.
Taste also some new Spanish Wines in the Wines from Spain promo tent here alongside the extra food concessions or try out a Kawai digital piano in the lobby.
Last thing at night the Winter Gardens also hosts the separately ticketed special events. It is highly advisable to buy these tickets in advance:
Fri: £30 Maceo Parker Band featuring Dennis Rollins headline 3 hour show
Sat: £15 Messin’ Around Club Night with Camden Town DJ Perry Louis, the Jazzcotech Dancers and both Thabani & Manteca live on stage
Sun: £25 grand swing night finale with the Pete Long Big Swing Orchestra as well as Liane Carroll & Ian Shaw.
Down at the Spyglass Inn, The Boathouse hosts the Jazz Chill stage, sponsored both by Wines from Spain and the owners of the Spyglass Inn. On Friday afternoon and night, you can enjoy the Baddest Blues Band (Ever) followed by DJ Tim Boogaloo with the Filthy Six with their racy take on boogaloo and Blue Note numbers. Then on Saturday and Sunday you can pick up John Paul Gard, Tom Cawley’s Curios, Trevor Watts & Veryan Weston, Faye Patton, Zoe Galant. This venue is for pass/stroller/package ticket holders but is also a pay on the door venue at £5 per gig.
Ventnor Baptist Church joins the fray for pass/stroller/package ticket holders AND for £5 per gig pay on the door visitors. “On the Edge” on Saturday 12 April in here you have the opportunity to catch one of this years bands tipped for the top, Empirical. Also Brigitte Beraha, Shez Raja and Louis Vause.
For those who want to enjoy some of the atmosphere and music for free, down at the Mill Bay Inn, Mick Smith of Quay Arts is hosting the free jazz fringe all weekend from midday on Friday 11th April, interspersed with some big band sounds at the Baptist church that day and both big band and Glorious Chorus gospel St Catherine’s Church on Saturday 12th April. There is also the Sunday service with Glorious Chorus on the Sunday morning.
Ventnor Towers Hotel sponsors a Sunday Trad Jazz Lunch with the Sussex Kings on the 13th. At £25 per head, tickets include the music and lunch. Must be booked in advance and not a stroller venue. Buy from either the Jazz Office (T: 856206) or the hotel itself (T: 852277)
Other local sponsors, the Royal Hotel, host a resident’s only weekend jazz dining package. At the time of writing, the rooms are full but do call them on T:852186 just in case.
With the last minute changes of venues, numbers are more restricted than last year so it remains advisable to pay in advance, although there is a last minute ticket sales desk in the Winter Gardens lobby open from 10am on Friday 11 April and some venues have pay on the door options IF the venue isn’t already full on arrival.
For Weekend/Day Stroller or separate event tickets in advance visit the
Jazz Office, 6 Pier St, Ventnor, IOW, PO38 1ST
Or telephone: 01983 856206 / 856200
Or buy on-line at Jazz Festival Office (Paypal fees apply)
