life
FEATURE
Keepin’ the jazz steamin’
Following the decision by the National Trust
to discontinue its popular jazz concerts at
Mottistone Manor, The Isle of Wight Steam
Railway is taking forward the tradition of
presenting quality jazz in the open-air, with
the staging of ‘Midsummer Jazz’ on Saturday
20th June.
Some of the UK’s most highly-rated jazz
musicians are already booked to appear
including the 15-piece Pete Long’s All Star
Goodman Orchestra and top UK Dixieland
jazz band, the Dave Shepherd Dixielanders.
Midsummer Jazz will be staged in the three
acre tree-lined arena adjoining Havenstreet
Station, and music lovers and jazz fans
will be encouraged to continue many of
the traditions of the Mottistone event. In
particular it’s hoped that concert goers will
make it a fun social occasion and bring
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their own food and drink to enjoy a picnic
under the stars, while enjoying a feast of
high-quality music!
Midsummer Jazz is one of over 20 special
events being staged by the Steam Railway
this year and it’s hoped that it will become
a regular fixture. “Midsummer Jazz is a new
event at the IW Steam Railway, but we aim
to replicate and develop the success of the
National Trust’s Mottistone Jazz Festival
which has been held at Mottistone Manor
for the past 21 years,” commented IW
Steam Railway Commercial Manager Jim
Loe. “The National Trust is no longer running
their event and the new Midsummer Jazz
will be run entirely by the IW Steam Railway.
We intend to maintain the best and most
popular elements of the National Trust event
and to take it forward, widening its appeal”.
Continuing their association with open-air
jazz, both Wightlink and the IW County
Press are generously supporting the event.
Topping the bill will be Pete Long’s All-Star
Goodman Orchestra - a nationally renowned
15 piece swing band who are selling-out
concerts all over the country. This is an
opportunity for Islanders to experience the
recreation of Benny Goodman’s famous
Carnegie Hall concert of 1938 which is
regarded as the finest jazz spectacle ever. Ex
Jools Holland arranger and star soloist Pete
Long doesn’t have all the original All-Star
Goodman Orchestra, but he has the cream
of London’s big band players, guaranteeing
to provide all the passion and frenzy of the
original concert. Interestingly, Pete also has
a connection with the IW Festival which is
staged the weekend before Midsummer
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