Who Are We?

The Newport Jazz Weekend Committee is:-

Jim Thorn is the Event Director of Newport Jazz Weekend. He is a Newport-based solicitor and a busy local musician. He is regularly booked as an accompanist for other musicians, and for a number of years he has organised regular jam sessions around the Island. He runs two bands and often pops up appearing with several others as a guest.

Bill Wills, retired Radar Engineer has been playing drums for over 50 years; from jazz to orchestral. Writes musical plays, short stories and spoof letters to the famous! Has backed many top UK jazz musicians and recently re-started Newport Jazz Club. He promotes jazz concerts at the Apollo Theatre, Newport. Bill was the Chairman of the organising committee for the 2012 event.

Mike Whitehead, now retired from the electronics industry and co-originator of the original Newport Jazz Club, has been a bass player for nearly fifty years and has played with all sorts of musicians, professional, semi-professional and amateur during this time, including some of the country's best jazz players.

Tim Marshall is a semi-retired professional musician who worked for many years for P&O Cruises, playing for shows and backing cabaret. He has lost count of the times he as been round the world but he thinks it's about 12. Now a land-lubber, he is re-discovering styles of music denied him afloat - folk/rock, soul and jazz. Tim is the Jazz Weekend website editor.

Vicky Cullis was born on the Island in Newport and began her musical career, singing and playing the vibraphone with local dance bands and jazz groups. She continued playing after moving to Essex in the 60s. Now retired and back on the Island, is delighted to be involved with the Jazz Weekend.

Jean Toyne. Secretary of Newport Jazz Club. An ex singer from a musical family background. She loves all jazz styles and has managed clubs and artist bookings. Has seen and heard many times her idols Miles Davies, Gerry Mulligan and Ella. Would like to see more youngsters become involved in jazz.

Willie Sanderson is a jazz enthusiast who has come on board in 2013 to lend his considerable experience of organising jazz events. He has excellent contacts within the UK jazz world and regularly hosts jazz events in Cowes which raise funds for charity. He also kindly provides accommodation for a number of our visiting professional musicians.

Policy Statement

Our aim is to promote jazz on the Isle of Wight. Members of the committee will not receive any financial reward. Audited accounts will be made available after the event.

The committee will cover the cost of the main venues and headline acts. This will be funded by sponsorship, ticket sales and other fund-raising activities.

Any subsequent profits will go towards funding future events and a donation to charity (IW Mountbatten Hospice).

We will encourage other performances during the period. However, we will not act as agents. It will be the responsibility of the performers and venues to negotiate between themselves.

Contact Us

If you want to contact us, please email -