When jazz was first promoted in the newly redeveloped Docklands area of London in the early 1990s the unfettered nature of the music was in stark contrast to the manicured corporate and rather soulless world that was growing all around as the towers of commerce rose in the sky and the multinationals moved in. Hearing James Blood Ulmer or Sam Rivers at Canary Wharf's Cabot Hall back in those days was a seriously weird experience. Fast forward 15 years and the area, with better transport links, a more mature residential and business base and a much more lived in feel, it's now a more congenial place for a jazz festival.

The Canary Wharf Jazz Festival, due to take place from 19-22 September in Jubilee Park, Canary Wharf, has just announced its line-up. Building on the After Hours series and programmed by former Blackheath Halls promoter Pete Conway the festival presents 10 bands in seven concerts in an outdoor setting. Artists booked include Empirical, Dylan Howe, Trevor Mires, Troy Miller, Empirical, Mishka Adams, Zoe Rahman, Paul Booth, Lauren Dalrymple and Dennis Rollins' Badbone.