SOMERS POINT – This year’s Cape Bank Jazz @ the Point will bring an array of musical talent to town for the 14th annual festival.

“Each year we try to tweak it up a little bit,” said Nick Regine, president of the Somers Point Jazz Society. “I think we always try to take that one extra step, and I think we accomplished it with the lineup we have now. I’m looking forward to a great four days of jazz.”

Ten groups will perform at four venues throughout the city during the four-day event, which kicks off Thursday, March 8 with two free shows.

The Venissa Santi Quintet will open the festival 7 p.m. March 8 at Mission Point Church, 900 W. New York Ave.

“Everyone is worthwhile checking out,” said Tim Lekan of Ocean City, who is serving as artistic director of the festival for the third year. “Stylistically some are more modern, some more down the middle, straight-ahead. We set up the set schedule and the timing of everything so that an ambitious listener could actually conceivably listen to a full set of every single artist.”

Nine of the 10 shows will be performed within one block between Gregory’s Restaurant and Bar, 900 Shore Road, and Sandi Pointe Coastal Bistro, hosting performances in two rooms at 908 Shore Road.

“One of the great things for convenience’s sake is people can park at either Gregory’s or Sandi Point and they’re there. They don’t have to go back out to their car,” said Lekan.

This year, the dining room at Sandi Pointe has been added as a venue for late-night sets Friday and Saturday night.

“One of the perks about the late-night venue is usually the other musicians from the earlier performances hang out. For the audience it is sometimes an opportunity to see other artists sit in with the band doing the late-night spot. It happened last year with Eric Alexander playing in the loft. It’s always fun to see,” Lekan said. “Gregory’s has its own character. It’s a little bit longer, narrower room. It’s got its own vibe to it and still a great room to listen to music.”

Among the musicians who are performing, many known worldwide and for their various accomplishments in the world of jazz, probably none is as legendary as drummer Jimmy Cobb.

Cobb is most famous for laying the beat for Miles Davis’ “Kind of Blue,” which many critics consider a revolutionary jazz record.

Jimmy Cobb and Cobb’s Mob will perform 9:30 and 11:30 p.m. in the dining room at Sandi Point.

“You’re talking about a living legend. He has to be considered a jazz icon,” said Lekan. “You can’t miss that one. How many opportunities are you going to get to hear Jimmy Cobb come to Somers Point, New Jersey?”

Local high school students will be getting an education in jazz improvisation at a workshop 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, March 9 at Mission Point Church. Participating high schools include Mainland Regional, Ocean City, St. Augustine Prep and Egg Harbor Township.

“We have, at about the same time, 100 kids coming in from area high schools, and what we’re able to do there is to make this an extra special educational experience for the kids,” Regine said.

An all-weekend event ticket is $60 prior to March 7. Daily tickets are also available. See www.spjazz.org or call (609) 927-6677.

Artist Line-up

Click here for artist bios.

Visit www.spjazz.org to purchase tickets.

Thursday, March 8

Venissa Santi Quintet

7 -10 p.m. at the Mission Point Church, 800 W. New York Ave.

Venissa Santi, vocals, Tim Thompson, trumpet, John Stenger, piano, Madison Rast, bass and Francois Zayas drums and percussion.

The Luke O’Reilly Quartet

8:30 - 11:30 p.m. at Gregory’s Restaurant, 900 Shore Road

Luke O’Reilly, piano, Nimrod Speaks, bass, Anwar Marshall, drums and Dean Moore, alto saxophone.

Friday, March 9

The Mulgrew Miller Trio

8 and 10 p.m. at the ballroom at Sandi Pointe Coastal Bistro, 908 Shore Road

Mulgrew Miller, piano, Ivan Taylor, bass and Rodney Green, drums.

Keith Hollis Quartet

8 and 10 p.m. at Gregory’s Restaurant, 900 Shore Road

Keith Hollis, drums, Frank Strauss, piano, Korey Riker, tenor saxophone and Dean Carrigan, bass.

Sheryl Bailey Quartet

9:30 and 11:30 p.m. in the dining room at Sandi Pointe Coastal Bistro, 908 Shore Road

Sheryl Bailey, guitar, Mike LeDonne, piano, Gary Wang, bass and Joe Strasser, drums.

Saturday, March 10

Walt Weiskopf Sextet

8 and 10 p.m. in the ballroom at Sandi Pointe Coastal Bistro, 908 Shore Road

Walt Weiskopf, tenor saxophone, Andy Fusco, alto saxophone, John Mosca, trombone, Joel Weiskopf, piano, Doug Weiss, bass and Jason Brown, drums.

Three Blind Mice

8 and 10 p.m. at Gregory’s Restaurant, 900 Shore Road

Victor North, tenor saxophone, Lucas Brown, organ and Wayne Smith, drums.

Jimmy Cobb and Cobb’s Mob

9:30 and 11:30 p.m. in the dining room at Sandi Pointe Coastal Bistro, 908 Shore Road

Jimmy Cobb, drums, Rick Germanson, piano, John Webber, bass and Javon Jackson, tenor saxophone.

Sunday, March 12

Tim Horner Quintet

2 and 4 p.m. at Gregory’s Restaurant, 900 Shore Road

Tim Horner, drums, Jim Ridl, piano, John Hart, guitar, Marc Mommaas, tenor and soprano saxophones and Martin Wind, bass.

Grant Stewart Quartet with special guest Hilary Gardner

4 and 6 p.m. at Sandi Pointe Coastal Bistro, 908 Shore Road

Grant Stewart, tenor saxophone, Hilary Gardner, vocal, Tardo Hammer, piano, Joel Forbes, bass and Phillip Stewart, drums.