Latest news from the Jazz Office is that next year’s festival ‘promises to offer the most diverse and eclectic package of performances in the history of the event’?
Geri Ward and Phil Snellen have been working extremely hard, to secure not only the best Jazz musicians for the 2007 festival, but can also now announce official sponsorship from Velocity.
Velo-who you say? Not fitting into their target market of 15-30 year olds, it’s no surprise I’d never heard of them. But, apparently it’s a new range of flavoured Direct Energy Source drinks “that are delicious on their own if you need a boost and even better mixed with your favourite tipple for a cocktail that can’t be beat’? Sounds great and I’m sure I’ll be trying it out next April” probably the cocktail version though ;-).
More news is that the festival is going to double in size next year with five new venues. Yes, five new venues!
Where will they all go you ask? Well one will be The Jazz Dance Marquee which will make up part of the new ‘Jazz Village’ (Jazz Village! Blimey!) set atop the cliffs overlooking beautiful Ventnor bay. Not entirely sure where this will be, but I’m guessing that it’s Salisbury Gardens. A very beautiful spot and well positioned for this year’s Jazz Bazaar Marquee.
According to Geri, “Appearing at the Jazz Dance Marquee will be DJs from the world famous Messin’ Around club night at London’s Jazz Cafe, who’ll also be hosting the Jazz Festival’s very first Club Night at the Winter Gardens on Saturday”? Shame that the original sprung floor which once graced the main hall of the Winter Gardens is no more (anyone know which idiot sanctioned it’s removal?).
The Club Night and the Jazz Dance Marquee will play host to the legendary Jazzcotech Dancers (pictured above). Never heard of them? Well, we’re told they’re a world famous troupe of experts in Street/Jazz/Fusion dance styles. Not only that but they’ve appeared in clubs and at gigs all over the world and supported the man himself James Brown, not to mention Maceo Parker and young Jamiroquai. Be sure to check them out because they look like they’ll be amazing.
