Don Weller Quartet launches Funky February

With Christmas and New Year behind us it might seem that we are entering the gloomiest time of the year; but fear not, because IOW Jazz has the perfect remedy for those winter blues.

Funky February kicks off in great style with the very first appearance on the island by a true legend of British Jazz. Don Weller is widely regarded as the finest tenor sax player of his generation as well as being a founding father of jazz/funk/fusion in this country. His technical prowess is reflected in his winning the Best Tenor Sax title at the British Jazz Awards on three separate occasions, and although he is best known for his live work with such luminaries as Stan Tracey, Peter King, Art Themen and Dave Newton, he is also a seriously underated composer, and his music has been used in major films.

This talented and influential jazz star has been chosen as the perfect act to open the brand new monthly night of 'Jazz At The Towers' which will take place on the first Friday of every month starting on 2nd February 2007. Don will be accompanied by his all-star quartet of John Donaldson on keys, Arnie Somogi on Double Bass and Dave Barry on drums, playing a swinging set of original compositions plus a well chosen standard or two.

The Ventnor Towers hotel & restaurant itself has undergone a major revamp, with a larger stage, a new, state of the art sound system and a new Kawai MP8 Stage Piano helping to make this a great place to experience the finest in live music. The following 'Jazz At the Towers' takes place on Friday 2nd March and features the dream-team pairing of hot jazz pianist Andrea Vicari with island-born sax maestro Mornington Lockett and his band. An excellent carvery will be available at each event at a very reasonable price and can be eaten at your table as you listen to the bands.

Funky February carries on in fine style with 'Jazz At The Boathouse', when the hard-bopping funk fusion of Hard Lines make a return to the Island after blowing the roof off the Boathouse last year. Featuring a quintet of excellent jazz performers at the peak of their form, this gig is highly recommended for anyone seeking to reenergize themselves during the winter doldrums. The band are a tight collective led by Scottish-born keyboards whiz Iain Rae and featuring island-based sax colossus Gary Plumley and they really do cook!

There is even more to smile about as another new monthly night has just been announced, this time at The Fat Cat Bar at Sandpipers Hotel in Freshwater Bay. 'Jazz At The Fat Cat' takes place on the last Friday of each month starting on Friday 23rd February with a gig by the Island's hottest new Jazz collective, Caldera. Gary Plumley again features on sax and flute alongside an all star line up of hot island jazzers.

All tickets are £15 for the jazz at each venue with some usual discounts available for Friends of IW Jazz Festival. Separate dining arrangements available at all three jazz clubs, some of which can be booked in advance.

Tel: 01983 856206 or 856200 Jazz Office or visit the shop at 6 Pier St, Ventnor.