Policy Statement

This event is being organised by a local committee of musicians and jazz fans.

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

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.

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.

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Roots and Herbs

The Blakey Project

Art Blakely

To commemorate the life of the great Art Blakey twenty five years after his passing, saxophonist Jean Toussaint has been busy organising a project he calls "Roots and Herbs : The Blakey Project." Borrowed from the Messengers Blue Note record of the same name, and inspired by Toussaint's time with Blakey's award winning Jazz Messengers, Roots and Herbs features an all-star lineup of British Jazz Musicians to explore the music of the legendary bandleader and some of his illustrious Messengers.

"Art was one of the most inspirational band leaders rated amongst some of the greatest. Names like Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Miles Davis come to mind. They all had an inclusive way of band leading that made each member feel a part of the family. Through the music, Art encouraged us to strive and reach beyond ourselves and work as one to create excitement while never losing sight of the audience. Art used to say "it doesn't matter how complex you want to play as long as you swing and play from the heart" then he'd cite the great John Coltrane as an example. I owe it all to the great Art Blakey and I'll be a Jazz Messenger for life". -Jean Toussaint

Jean spent four very productive years in the Jazz Messengers after leaving Berklee. Since settling in Britain in 1987 he has been a major figure on the jazz scene as well as in jazz education.