St George hosted the ninth annual Imperial Wharf Jazz Festival on Thursday 19th & Saturday 21st September, the festival proved to be a brilliant day out for all the family, attracting thousands of residents and visitors from the local community and across London.
The free event, held on The Boulevard at Imperial Wharf, London's leading riverside destination, provided a stage for some of the world's finest musicians while visitors relaxed in style and enjoyed the music at the exciting restaurants and bars over-looking the River Thames.
The festival opened on Thursday night with the amazing live vocals and harmonies of EverYoung. The much anticipated headline act, Jocelyn Brown, provided a lively atmosphere with her energetic crowd pleasing performance, and range of soul and club anthems.
On Saturday the Imperial Wharf Jazz Festival commenced with Congo Faith Healers, providing an intense and compelling live performance, followed by Best Jazz Act MOBO award winning band Kairos 4tet. Anthony Strong, hailed as "England's next jazz superstar" performed a mix of classic jazz and swinging originals, with Stonephace Stabbins featuring Zoe Rahman bringing blistering energy to the stage.
The Saturday evening introduced powerful vocalist Zara McFarlane combining modern jazz with eclectic nu-soul, The Festival was wrapped up with a lively performance from headline act James Taylor Quartet with the coolest, vibrant sounds in funky acid jazz, lifting the crowd to their feet to provide a party atmosphere. The crowd were also treated to a surprise performance by the hugely talented 12 year old Sam Barnett, a Saxophonist who recently won Mayor of London's GIGS competition this year.
Nick Hutchings, Managing Director of St George Central London commented: "We are thrilled to have once again hosted the Imperial Wharf Jazz Festival and delighted to be able to offer local residents, visitors from across London and others from further a field the chance to hear a range of music in a fantastic surrounding whilst enjoying the wide range of restaurants and shops available."
The Festival was programmed and produced in partnership with St George by leading event production company ESIP (www.esip.co.uk/).
Imperial Wharf is superbly connected with excellent transport links, following the opening of the Imperial Wharf over ground railway station. Providing links to the London underground network via West Brompton and easy access to Clapham Junction, London Waterloo and London Victoria railway stations. A river taxi service, available from the adjacent Chelsea Harbour offers efficient river travel to the City whilst the fashionable King's Road and Sloane Square are but a short taxi ride away.
Located at the heart of Imperial Wharf, the Jazz Festival provides outstanding views along the river Thames, creating a great atmosphere where diners can enjoy a range of culinary delights from Harris & Hoole coffee house, a range of Lebanese dishes from Yamal Alsham, the taste of Thailand in The Blue Elephant, fine selection of wines and cigars from Wimbledon Wine Cellar, as well as the highly popular Young's Waterside bar and restaurant.
For added convenience, residents have access to a 24 hour concierge service, 385m walkway along the River Thames, managed car parking, residents' car club, offering environmentally and congestion charge free car hire, Karen Hardy Dance Studios, Jury's Inn Chelsea Hotel, Gambado; the family indoor play centre and Bright Horizon's childcare and education centre.
For further details on the Imperial Wharf Jazz Festival or to view pictures from the event please visit www.imperialwharf.com/jazz.