Canary Wharf is a centre of culture too

As if to underline that Canary Wharf is about more than just offices and corporate life, the announcement of 2010's Canary Wharf Jazz Festival line-up shows that there are great reasons to stay in the district for leisure as well as for work.

The three-day festival features the sort of big names you'd happily travel to see, yet is completely free of charge.

With businesspeople taking annual holidays in August, there may be space in SACO's Canary Wharf serviced apartments, which offer a great alternative to a hotel if you're taking in more than a day's worth of entertainment in the area.

The festival line-up

This year's Jazz Festival will be the fourth of its kind, and Canary Wharf's Arts & Events Manager Sian Astrop expects it to be one of the best. The first day's headliner is Alex Wilson, the Latin jazz pianist and composer; opening the proceedings will be the award-winning Robert Mitchell Trio. Then on the second day there's a whole day of performances starting with the Round House Jazz Ensemble, via the young British trumpeter Matthew Halsall and the raw beats of The Baker Brothers, and closing with British R&B star Ruby Turner. Finally, and probably the key attraction, there's the chance to watch living legend Pee Wee Ellis round off the festival, the funk pioneer who played saxophone with James Brown. 

All this is taking place from Friday 13th to Sunday 15th August in the outdoor setting of Canada Square Park.

Definitely more than a business district…

In case anyone is still not convinced that Canary Wharf has plenty to offer as a leisure destination, the recently opened Park Pavilion overlooks the festival's setting. There you'll find bars and restaurants such as Canteen, ROKA, Wahaca and the Parlour, which will add to the atmosphere and provide jazz fans with dining options as well as great vantage points in front of the stage.

Staying at serviced apartments in Canary Wharf

Suiting both leisure and business travellers, SACO's luxury serviced apartments enjoy a central location in Canary Wharf. Unlike staying in a hotel, serviced accommodation offers you the living space and freedom to enjoy a real "home from home" experience while enjoying the jazz, shopping and other entertainments.