The Isle of Wight International Jazz Festival which is held in and around Ventnor on the Isle of Wight from Friday 17 April until Sunday 19 April 2009 has made its first line-up announcement.

Visiting the Isle of Wight for the first time are the James Taylor Quartet confirmed for the Saturday Messin' Around Club night, Ray Gelato & the Giants will be playing the festival finale concert with an English jazz diva whose name is to be announced later.

Soweto Kinch will be appearing with Tim Garland, and Guy Barker with Ian Shaw on the opening night in the Spiegel Theatre.

The Stroller programme, includes John Etheridge on guitar with Liane Carroll's vocals & piano, Portico Quartet, Snake Davis Band, Derek Nash with Protect the Beat, a 1980's reunion of Chris Walker and the Real Ale & Thunder Band, Thabani, Tim Garland's Lighthouse Trio, and pianist Gwilym Simcock.

The event also promises a huge variety of other types of jazz established or completely new and a definite mix of different cultural sounds and jazz rhythms.

The former home of poet Algernon Swinburne and its gardens at East Dene in Bonchurch is to join the festival as a key venue where the 1920's inspired Spiegel Theatre and various stages will play host to this year's line-up.

The festival includes a 'Stroller Programme', a Friday night headline concert, a Saturday Night Club Night, and a stage in a free fringe marquee in the Jazz Village.This is an ever evolving festival line up of jazz for all tastes and ages in a relaxed seaside setting.

Tickets are on sale, this year as eTickets, priced at £138 for a Gold limited issue, or £75 Weekend Stroller, variety of other tickets and prices with reductions for children. Please see the IoW Jazz Festival tickets page for full details and to buy.

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