Isle of Wight International Jazz Festival Cancelled

[Detomah]

In a shock announcement today the organisers of the Isle of Wight International Jazz Festival have confirmed that the event has been cancelled for 2009.

The current economic climate has been blamed for this decision along with the shortfall in sponsorship for 2009 with slow ticket sales. Organisers hope that the event will be back in 2010 and all tickets bought will be valid then. For those who want a refund however, organisers have said that this will be undertaken with the month.

The release giving full details follows:

It is with great sadness that in the height of recession, for 2009 only, the Directors of the festival have had to issue the news set out below, which is self explanatory. The action has been taken to ensure the future of the festival. We are sad we shall not be seeing you this year but look forward to welcoming everyone to the festival set for 9,10,11 April 2010 and if you wish to roll forward your tickets for next year they will remain valid for the East Dene jazz festival programme at this year’s prices and this will assist us in gauging attendance at an earlier point of the festival planning process.

Having had a very positive response to the re-structuring of the Jazz Festival for 2009 we are making the decision to hold fire until 2010. Although top line artists have been booked and all the necessary arrangements are in place to ensure a safe venue and least impact on Bonchurch, the worsening of the downturn in the economy since November 2008 means that the number of sponsorships, that are required, have not been forthcoming. Having explored all options it has been decided that it is in the best interests of live jazz, the Jazz Festival and the Island’s reputation for music, if the Jazz Festival is deferred until the weekend 9-10-11 April in 2010.

We realise that a lot of people will be disappointed but in the current economic climate we cannot be confident that the usual late ticket sales, upon which all ventures of this type rely, will materialise. We are therefore taking positive action to ensure the integrity of the business. All tickets will be valid for the equivalent events at East Dene in 2010 unless ticket holders request a refund. All refunds, cancellation fees and outstanding bills will be paid within one month.

A Reception and Presentation on the future plans for the Festival will be given at East Dene on Saturday 18th April at 7.30pm for all who are supportive and positively interested in working together for the good of Jazz, Bonchurch and Ventnor and the Island. This will be a private reception for invitees and pre-registered supporters, so please telephone the Jazz Office on 856200 to register if you would like to come along.”

Yours sincerely,

The Directors