An island jazz workshop brought participants from the Isle of Man, Switzerland, Germany, England and Scotland together last weekend for a programme designed to welcome musicians of different ages and abilities.
Organiser Rolf Blocher said one of the biggest highlights of the event was seeing ‘all the smiles and happiness’ among both the participating musicians and the audience.
The final concert, held at the King Court Theatre at King William’s College, proved particularly memorable, with performers aged from 13 to 85 and ranging from beginners to advanced musicians taking to the stage.
‘To see people from different countries and a wide range of ages and abilities on stage and all speaking the same musical language and enjoying it made it special for me.’
The concert also attracted a larger audience than organisers had anticipated, with the theatre packed with listeners.
Rolf said the response had been ‘overwhelmingly high’, adding that he was particularly proud of the turnout as this was the first event of its kind.
The idea for the workshop came from Rolf’s own lifelong passion for music.
He has played since the age of eight, with his late father serving as his first music tutor.
Having attended jazz workshops and events in Switzerland, Germany, France and the UK, Rolf said he wanted to bring a similar international experience to the Isle of Man.
After moving to the island around four years ago, he was invited to play with the Blue Vannin Jazz Band.
In October 2025, he suggested hosting a jazz workshop on the island and subsequently formed a team with fellow musicians Jim Houghton on drums, Ed Jeffers on bass, Peter Pell-Hiley on guitar and John Stillmann on piano.
Together, they developed the idea and worked on the logistics of bringing the event to fruition.
Rolf said his original aim was to create ‘something new and exciting’ while bringing an international event to the island’s cultural calendar.
The international participants were also impressed by their surroundings, with Rolf describing King William’s College as having a ‘Hogwarts-like’ atmosphere.
Expressing his gratitude Rolf said: ‘We are all very grateful for all the support of King William’s College and to Hannah who works at KWC and was our contact person.’
While the organisers are not yet committing to a second workshop, Rolf said they may consider bringing the event back to the island.
Rolf said: ‘My team and myself were very exhausted after this intense weekend, it is probably too early to say but we might consider to do it again.’
For those interested in taking part in future Isle of Man Jazz events, the organisers are encouraging musicians of all abilities to keep an eye on the group’s website for further announcements.
The workshop is aimed at both beginners and experienced musicians, with opportunities for vocalists to develop their storytelling and instrumentalists to refine their improvisation skills.
Rolf was asked to describe the event in three words, to him the weekend was: ‘Creative, vibrant and international.’