Joining a stacked line-up of jazz legends, local musician Sol Grimshaw will return to September's Isle of Wight Jazz Weekend next month, with his ensemble, The Blue Orchids.

Speaking to the Isle of Wight County Press, he said: "I’m looking forward to bringing down this new project of mine.

"We'll be playing arrangements from Nat King Cole’s trio and similar sounds.

"Our show is inspired by the original piano trio - guitar, piano and bass - but with a vocalist and saxophone player."

Describing his fellow musicians as top notch, Sol explains they met while studying at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

Sol himself recently finished a four-year degree course there. Before that, he attended the prestigious Purcell School for Young Musicians. 

"It was quite an amazing place to be. All of a sudden I was surrounded by some of the best young musicians in the world. 

"The work ethic there was unbelievably amazing," he recalls. 

Studying at Hertfordshire-based music school was key to Sol's development, musically and personally. He says it was a chance to find himself, while living away from home.

Be warned! The Isle of Wight Jazz Weekend may be your last chance to catch Sol for a while, as he plans to go travelling.

"I’ve been gigging full time in London for the last few years. I’ve just finished my course, so I'm going to Australia for a few months. 

"When I get back I'll be straight back to London and gigging, but I thought why not have a bit of a break?"

You may not yet have seen Sol perform live but you have probably seen members of his family - they carry an impressive musical pedigree. Sol's dad, JC Grimshaw and his aunt, Angelina Grimshaw, are rightly revered on the Island and beyond. 

"The Grimshaws have got a fairly long musical history on the Island," Sol says.

Sol promises you will leave with a smile on your face, "because the music we’re playing is cheerful, happy and swinging.”