Nominate your favourite IW Jazzer:-

I (Andy Norman) didn’t start to be interested in Jazz until I came to the Island in 1978 aged 16, so I have been hugely influenced by the Island Jazz Scene, here are my nominations:-

The Unity Stompers - All of them - I wouldn’t be playing Jazz today without them.

Richard (Spats) White - Piano, Reeds and simply ANYTHING he puts his mind to - My first introduction to Jazz.

Cephas Howard - Took our “Temperance 7” influenced school band seriously…..

The Goose Island Syncopators - Jack and Keith shared their love of Vintage Jazz and Real Ale, they have a lot to answer for...

Ray Heath - Introduced me to many of “The Guys” through the Monday evenings at Eric Marder’s.

Dick Sparks - I met him at Symphony Orchestra (playing French horn) when I first came to the Island, he was happy to make way for a “youngster” and he continued to be generous with his help and encouragement. The first to interest my son (Sandy) in the Double Bass.

Norman King - The finest Saxophonist to come out of the Island since Mornington Lockett.  NOT a second Mornigton though he is definately the ORIGINAL Norman King - don't miss him...

Norman King blowing up a storm and giving Gary and Mornigton a run for their money at "The 3 Tenors", Yarmouth 2005

Mornington Lockett - Born in London, but grew up on the Isle Of Wight, where he began playing jazz, sitting-in with local traditional and mainstream bands whilst attending Cowes High School. A true Local Hero. 

At Dartington he studied saxophone with Bobby Wellins, classical clarinet with Lorna Lowe and the North Indian Sitar with Armanath Misra. He persuaded the college authorities to allow him to take Jazz Saxophone as a first study and became the first person in the UK to gain a degree qualification on the instrument in 1983. He moved to London in 1984 to study at the Guildhall and has lived and worked in the London area ever since.