ONCE again centred on the Hilton Hotel and Casino, Douglas - along with some events in the town centre - the IoM Jazz Festival is set to be a real treat for both visitors and residents alike.
About 40 musicians will be taking part in the extravaganza which will feature a number of activities that are staples of the festival.
The opening ceremony will take place at Tower House, Douglas, at 3.15pm next Friday and will feature the Chicago Teddy Bears Society Jazz Band. The festival is supported by the Department of Tourism and Leisure and Geoff Corkish MHK will be attending the ceremony on the department's behalf.
Alan said: 'It (the opening ceremony] has always proved very popular, particularly with the visitors who came over the day before or that particular morning and they all flock down there and enjoy the Chicago Teddy Bears.
'It also gives the opportunity for other people who don't go to any jazz concerts or sessions to hear a very good North West jazz band.'
There are two other bands appearing during the festival: the 2nd Line Jazz Band from Sweden - who will be coming to the Island for the first time - and Jim McIntosh and his Jazzaholics which features an all-star line-up including BBC broadcaster and trombonist Mike Pointon.
A long list of individual musicians taking part includes clarinet and tenor sax player Julian Marc Stringle, saxophone player Karen Sharp, tenor saxophone player Art Themen, vocalist Marcia Pendlebury and many many more.
The Harlem Club and The Cotton Club will be back at the Hilton with one room featuring traditional and Dixieland Jazz and the other more mainstream music or swing music.
The music there will be held over three nights plus the Saturday and Sunday afternoon.
Meanwhile, the New Orleans Parade and Parasol competition is always one of the more colourful highlights of the Jazz Festival and it will be an important feature again this year.
About 40 musicians will be taking part in the extravaganza which will feature a number of activities that are staples of the festival.
The opening ceremony will take place at Tower House, Douglas, at 3.15pm next Friday and will feature the Chicago Teddy Bears Society Jazz Band. The festival is supported by the Department of Tourism and Leisure and Geoff Corkish MHK will be attending the ceremony on the department's behalf.
Alan said: 'It (the opening ceremony] has always proved very popular, particularly with the visitors who came over the day before or that particular morning and they all flock down there and enjoy the Chicago Teddy Bears.
'It also gives the opportunity for other people who don't go to any jazz concerts or sessions to hear a very good North West jazz band.'
There are two other bands appearing during the festival: the 2nd Line Jazz Band from Sweden - who will be coming to the Island for the first time - and Jim McIntosh and his Jazzaholics which features an all-star line-up including BBC broadcaster and trombonist Mike Pointon.
A long list of individual musicians taking part includes clarinet and tenor sax player Julian Marc Stringle, saxophone player Karen Sharp, tenor saxophone player Art Themen, vocalist Marcia Pendlebury and many many more.
The Harlem Club and The Cotton Club will be back at the Hilton with one room featuring traditional and Dixieland Jazz and the other more mainstream music or swing music.
The music there will be held over three nights plus the Saturday and Sunday afternoon.
Meanwhile, the New Orleans Parade and Parasol competition is always one of the more colourful highlights of the Jazz Festival and it will be an important feature again this year.
For more information contact All About Jazz.
