Around 70 people enjoyed a night of jazz courtesy of the ever-popular Jim Thorn Quartet at Mountbatten Hospice last week (Thursday 7 February 2019).

The performance was the latest in the Mountbatten Concert Series programme, which features many different genres of live music on every first Thursday of the month, generously sponsored by Red Funnel Ferries. 

The quartet comprised of Jim Thorn on piano, Ken Black on drums, Jon Thorne on bass and vocalist Loren Thorn who performed a number of jazz standards and some country music. Renditions included of Cole Porter’s Love for Sale from the musical The New Yorkers, the bossa nova classic The Girl from Ipanema and On the Sunny Side of the Street, made popular by the likes of Louis Armstrong and Bing Crosby. 

During the interval, wine and canapés were served as guests took in the latest art gallery display, with paintings by local artist Georgia Cook. Her work was widely admired, with some commenting that the display was “moving”, “beautiful” and also “thought-provoking”. According to Georgia, whose paintings are mainly figurative, they are often bound within a narrative derived from strange, wondrous but often painful nightmares, which also provide unlimited inspiration for her work, which is on display throughout February during office hours.

Speaking after the concert, Jim Thorn said: “We were delighted with the size of the audience and the appreciative response to our gig. The John Cheverton Centre at Mountbatten is a great place to play, the food and hospitality is wonderful and we very much look forward to our return. It is also a great chance for us and the audience to see what is on offer at Mountbatten itself, and have a look around the premises. Many people are still unaware of the excellent hospitality and the wide range of activities on offer. The concert series is a perfect way to help raise money for the Hospice and also open the doors to new visitors, who will hopefully return.”

Comments from the audience included “a wonderful evening”, “we really enjoyed the informality of it all, like listening to a live band in your own front room! (canapés were amazing too!)” and “Thank you so much Jim Thorn Jazz Quartet for such an enjoyable evening with such talented artists”.

Anyone who has yet to experience one of the concerts is urged to come to one of the next evenings:

• Alex Katsi – Thursday, 7 March
• Five Fifty 5s – Thursday, 4 April
• BBC Radio 3’s Sarah Walker – Thursday, 2 May
• The Willows – Thursday, 6 June 

Nigel Hartley, Mountbatten CEO, said: “Thanks to Jim and his fellow musicians for such an enjoyable evening, and thank you to everyone who came along to support the concert and also to view Georgia’s wonderful art work. As well as raising funds for Islanders and their families, these concerts are an important way for us to show that we work in a normal and welcoming environment. No-one should be afraid to come and visit our hospice and these concerts are aimed at encouraging more people to find out what we do, and how we may be able to support them, their friends and family in the future. Please come and join us to find out for yourselves!”

Admission is £10, which includes wine and canapés, and there is no need to book – just turn up on the door. All welcome.

Photos credit Bob White.