Gigs
Guildford Jazz at the Cricket Pavilion | Adam Glasser Quintet: “South Africa and Beyond”
Wed 1 May | Guildford Jazz at the Cricket Pavilion | Adam Glasser Quintet: “South Africa and Beyond” | Woodbridge Road, Guildford GU1 4RP | food and drinks from 7.15 pm Jazz from 8.00 pm | Tickets £20 (discounts for members and students) from here
Award Winning virtuoso harmonica player and pianist Adam Glasser brings a band of contemporary jazz musicians to play township jazz. Adam’s harmonica sound combines his South African roots with many years in the UK jazz scene as well as with Hugh Masekela, Joe Zawinul, Martha Reeves and Jimmy Witherspoon. This concert explores township jazz standards across a range of composers from Abdullah Ibrahim to Caiphus Semenya and Themba Mkhize. With Adam Glasser – harmonica & piano, George Crowley – saxophone, Ant Law – guitar, Steve Watts – bass, Corrie Dick – drums.
Bracknell Jazz | Espiral Trio
Fri 3 May | Bracknell Jazz | Espiral Trio: Josephine Davis – sax, David Beebee – guitar, Martin Pyne – percussion | South Hill Park Arts Centre, Ringmead, Bracknell, RG12 7PA | 7:30 – 10pm | £18.00 under 18yrs £8.50: for other concessions contact South Hill Park Booking Office 01344 484123 | Full details
Adrian Cox Quartet featuring Denny Ilett | Purdy’s Pop Up, Henley
Sat 4 May | Adrian Cox Quartet featuring Denny Ilett | The HAODS Studio, 19 New Street, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 2BP | 8pm, doors 7:30pm | Info and tickets £21 here
Straight after the launch of his new acclaimed album “Clarinet Fantasy” at Ronnie Scotts, Adrian brings his fabulous Quartet to Henley to play a selection of standards inspired by the great clarinettists of New Orlean, Barney Bigard, Sidney Bechet and Edmond Hall, plus some of his original music from the album.
Pete Allen Jazz Band | Newbury
Jeremy Sasoon – The Ray Charles Project | Dorchester-On-Thames
Sun 5 May | Jeremy Sassoon – The Ray Charles Project | Bishops Court Farm,
Dorchester-On-Thames, OX10 7HP | 7 -9 pm. doors open at 6pm | £23 |
Tickets– or can be purchased at the door on the evening | Contact 01865 590390 or diane_bishopsfarm@outlook.com
A night of fun-filled live Jazz!
Graeme Hewitt’s High Society Jazz Band | Theale
Jazz at The Four Horseshoes | Sherfield-on-Loddon
Tues 7 May | Equinox Quintet with Pete Billington | Pete Billington piano, Peter Bingham tenor sax, John Clarke guitar, Derek Alford bass, and Paul Kaluza drums | Four Horseshoes pub, Sherfield-on-Loddon RG27 0EX | 8pm to 10.30pm | Four Horseshoes | No charge for admission (donations are welcomed)
Sam Braysher feat. Annie Majin: Kurt Weill and the American Songbook | Norden Farm, Maidenhead
Thurs 9 May | Saxophone and vocal-led jazz standards | Sam Braysher alto saxophone, Annie Majin vocals, Matyas Gayer piano | Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Altwood Rd, Maidenhead SL6 4PF | 8pm | £16 | Info and tickets here, or call 01628 788997
Three outstanding young jazz musicians interpret songs by the composer of “Mack the Knife” and “September Song”, plus Broadway favourites by Gershwin, Arlen and Rodgers & Hammerstein.
Fleur Stevenson Trio | Maidensgrove
Fri 10 May | Fleur Stevenson Trio, Maidensgrove | Fleur Stevenson vocals, Hugh Turner guitar, Curtis R Ruiz double bass | Five Horsehoes, Henley-on-Thames RG9 6EX | 8.00 pm | £16 diners only. Tickets: 01491 641282
Jazz at Progress | Five-Way-Split
Fri 10 May – Five-Way-Split – Quentin Collins trumpet, Vasilis Xenopoulos tenor sax, Rob Barron piano, Magyars Hofecker bass, Matt Home drums | Progress Theatre, The Mount, Reading RG1 5HL | 7: 30pm | £19.00 (£17.00 concessions, £10 under 16) plus maximum 5% booking fee | Details
The Supertonics Big Band, plus guest vocalist Sarah Jane Eveleigh | Bracknell
Sat 11 May | The Supertonics Big Band, plus guest vocalist Sarah Jane Eveleigh | Popular 17-piece Swing Band | Carnation Hall, Winkfield Row, Bracknell RG42 7PA | 7.30pm | Tickets £15, reserve in advance via davidbennett470@gmail.com or 07739-314261 or www.thesupertonics.co.uk
The Music of Ellington & Strayhorn | The Alan Cornish Theatre, Reading
Sat 11 May | The Music of Ellington & Strayhorn | Ewen Baird saxes, Martin Pickett piano, Howard King bass, Mike Goff drums | The Alan Cornish Theatre, Oakwood Centre, Woodley, Reading RG54JZ | 7:45pm -10pm | £12:50 | Tickets
Sarah Jane Garside / Hugh Turner jazz duo | Hartley Witney
Sun 12 May | Sarah Jane Garside / Hugh Turner jazz duo | Jazz vocalist with guitar accompaniment | The Nightjar, Auriol wines, Hartley Witney | 2-4pm | Free entry
Marlow Jazz Club | Simon Spillett & Alex Garnett
Tues 14 May | Marlow Jazz Club | Simon Spillett & Alex Garnett | Simon Spillett tenor sax, Alex Garnett tenor, alto, Frank Harrison piano, Stuart Barker bass, Elliot Toms drums | Royal British Legion Hall SL7 1NT | 8.30pm | £10 | Phone 01628 486571 to reserve a good seat.
Two of the best and busiest saxophonists on the current scene make a rare side by side quintet appearance. Given their respective backgrounds, comparisons with The Jazz Couriers, Tubby Hayes and Ronnie Scott, are likely.
Vasilis Xenopoulos/Paul Edis Quartet: Feels Like Home | Cookham
Wed 15 May 2024 | Vasilis Xenopoulos/Paul Edis Quartet: Feels Like Home | Vasilis Xenopoulos sax, Paul Edis piano, Adam King double bass, Joel Barford drums | Pinder Hall, Cookham, SL6 9EH | 8pm | £15 – tickets here | Licensed Bar Available
Vasilis and Paul began playing together 20 years ago. In the intervening years, they’ve played numerous gigs together, releasing their debut album in 2016, A Narrow Escape, to critical acclaim. With Joel Barford (drums) and Adam King (double bass), their latest recording features original music inspired by the theme of ‘home’…home in this sense represents not only the many places they’ve both lived, but also the people they’ve known along the way. Join the quartet for what promises to be one of the highlights of this year’s Cookham festival.
Hugh Turner Heavy Funk Quartet | Botley
Wed 15 May | Hugh Turner Heavy Funk Quartet featuring Maff Potts keys, Raph Mizraki electric bass. Steve Wyndam drums | Hard hitting funk and jazz improvised music | First outing at this awesome community music venue: Tap Social, Botley | Approx 8-10pm | £6.60/£8.80 | Tickets
Jimi Hendrix Experience | Henley
Thurs 16 May | Jimi Hendrix Experience | Denny Ilett’s Electric Lady Big Band | The Kenton Theatre, 19 New Street, Henley-on-Thames RG9 2BS | 7:30pm | £25 | Tickets here
BEAT at the Boiler Room | Neil Angilley Trio
Fri 17 May | BEAT at the Boiler Room | Neil Angilley Trio | 13 Stoke Fields, Guildford GU1 4LS | Doors open 7pm, Support act 7.30 pm | Tickets £12 (discounts for members and students) + £1 booking fee from here
Infectious rhythms from Brazil and Cuba performed by an original member of the Grammy Nominated band, “Down To The Bone”. Chango voted top Latin album of the Year. Expect “Authentic Brazilian Rhythms on top of rich vocal harmonies, segueing into staggering solo & group passages of virtuosity. “Sensational” – Ronnie Scott’s. Doors open 7.30 pm: Gig times 8.30pm to 10.30pm; Recorded music set and happy hour 10.30 to 11.30pm at The Boileroom,13 Stoke Fields, Guildford GU1 4LS
Blakes Heaven Big Band featuring Fleur Stevenson | Oxford
Fri 17 May | Blakes Heaven Big Band featuring Fleur Stevenson | North Wall Arts Centre, Oxford OX2 7JN | Tickets: https://www.thenorthwall.com/whats-on/
Aret Komlosy / Hugh Turner Duo | Didcot
Fri 17 May | Aret Komlosy / Hugh Turner Duo | Great jazz songstress with guitar accompaniment | Cornerstone ArtsFoyer, Didcot | 5-7pm | Free
Jazz at St Michael’s Church | Blewbury
Sun 19 May | Jazz at St Michael’s Church (previously Mockbeggars Hall Jazz) | Blewbury
Fleur Stevenson/ Hugh Turner Quartet featuring Stu Henderson trumpet / percussion, Raph Mizraki acoustic bass / other instruments | 5-8pm | £20 including a glass of wine / soft drink | Tickets from Izabela@dircon.co.uk
Joe Webb / Will Sach Duo | The Forge, Basingstoke
Sun 19 May | Joe Webb / Will Sach Duo | Joe Webb piano, Will Sach double bass | The Forge, Churchill Way, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 7QR | 7.45pm | Tickets £19. Under 25s and full-time students £17 (includes £4 booking fee) | More info and booking via: anvilarts.org.uk | 01256 844244
Their charismatic music wholly embraces the jazz tradition with nods to popular music along the way.
Jazz at The Fisherman’s Cottage, Leslie Kett | Reading
Tues 21 May | Jazz at The Fisherman’s Cottage | Leslie Kett trumpet/flugel, Lawrie Wright piano, Phil Berry bass, Hamish Stewart drums | Fisherman’s Cottage, Kennet Side RG1 3DW | Music from 8pm | Free entry, donations welcomed.
Every fourth Tuesday: next date 18 June
Live music. Free entry. Excellent food and drink. And a lot more space than the late-lamented Global Cafe. Who could ask for more?
Parking at The Fisherman’s Cottage, on surrounding streets or take an easy stroll along the Kennet from the Queen’s Road car park – park for just £3.60 for the evening. More parking information here
Guildford Jazz at the Cricket Pavilion | Zoe Gilby: “Pannonica”
Thurs 23 May| Guildford Jazz at the Cricket Pavilion | Zoe Gilby: “Pannonica”| Woodbridge Road, Guildford GU1 4RP | food and drinks from 7.15 pm Jazz from 8.00 pm | Tickets £20 (discounts for members and students) from here
Performing lyrical interpretations of compositions from the legendary pianist and composer, Thelonious Monk. Inspired by the 1988 Carmen McRae album “Carmen Sings Monk”, Zoe details this performance with a time line of Thelonious and Carmen’s career including the story behind ‘Pannonica’ written in honour of the patron of bebop, Kathleen Annie Pannonica de Koenigswarter. Zoe Gilby’s unique vocal phrasing and appreciation of Monk and McRae’s work is the highlight of this project. With Terence Collie on piano, Marianne WIndham on double bass and Alex Goodyear on drums. Food and drinks from 19.15 Jazz from 20:00 to 22:15 at Guildford Pavilion, Woodbridge Road, GU1 4RP.
Antonio Forcione | The Forge, Basingstoke
Fri 24 May | Antonio Forcione | The Forge, Churchill Way, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 7QR | 7.45pm | Tickets £23. Under 25s and full-time students £21 (includes £4 booking fee) | More info and booking via: anvilarts.org.uk | 01256 844244
Antonio is a multi-award winning acoustic guitarist and composer who blends jazz, Latin, African, and flamenco sounds.
Blue Magoo & Limpopo Groove | Oaken Grove Vineyard, Fawley, near Henley on Thames
Fri 24 May | Raise the Roof Party | Oaken Grove Vineyard, Benhams Lane, Fawley, GB, RG9 6JG | 7:30 – 11pm | Two course meal and music included, £50 | Information | Tickets
A charity fundraising event to support and literally put the roof on a Ugandan school for orphaned and destitute children. Live music from both bands, authentic two course African meal included in ticket price, short inspiring presentation,raffles and auctions. Limpopo Groove is an established, upbeat,afro-fusion group playing infectious, lively music, inspired by theirdrummer and founder’s African homeland. With original songs written in Shona and English, they blend afro jazz with tribal beats and European influences to create catchy rhythms that crowds just can’t help dancing to. Blue Magoo is an eight piece upbeat fun jazz band that will be supporting with a selection of African tunes. Oaken Grove Vineyard is a fabulous beautiful location overlooking a stunning view over the valley.
Wantage Big Band | Corn Market, Farringdon
Sat 25 May | Big Band numbers from Ellington via Gustav Holst to Chick Corea and Gordon Goodwin | Directed by Phil Singleton | Corn Market, Gloucester St, Farringdon SN7 7JA | Arrive for 7:20pm, parking Southampton St SN7 7DX | Music 7:30 – 9.30pm | Bar available | Further information & tickets
Wantage Big Band creates a compelling sound with precise, articulate horns and a driving rhythm section. Sway to Spain and Mars by whirlybird: hear the incredibles, flying with foo birds, hunting wabbits from the birth of the blues to ‘round midnight. There’ll be dancing men and a zoot suit riot, unless there’s someone to watch over you. I just can’t wait…
Jazz @ The Retreat | Reading
Sun 26 May | Stuart Henderson – trumpet, Simon Price – drums, Tom Berge – piano, Ollie Weston – sax, Stuart Barker – bass | The Retreat, Reading | 3:30pm
Fleur Stevenson sings The Music Of Ella | Henley
Mon 27 May| Fleur Stevenson sings The Music Of Ella | Oaken Grove Vineyard, Benhams Lane, Fawley, Henley-on-Thames. RG9 6JG | 3pm | £22 – tickets here
During this performance Fleur will be paying homage to the Queen of Jazz, Ella Fitzgerald, with a programme of Ella’s most famous hits from ‘Summertime’ to ‘It don’t mean a thing’. Joining Fleur on stage will be skilled multi-instrumentalist Pete Billington (piano and guitar) and Ukrainian tenor sax star Anatoliy Vyacheslavov.
Fleur Stevenson Quartet feat. Maff Potts | Swindon
Tues 28 May | Jazz Knights: Fleur Stevenson Quartet feat. Maff Potts | The Royal Oak, 24 Devizes Rd, Swindon SN1 4BQ | 8pm | Free entry | Info
Singing with Maff Potts (piano), Pete Maxfield (double bass) and Damon Sawyer (drums), Fleur will perform stylish interpretations of jazz standards including arrangements from her latest award winning album.
Martin Taylor | The Forge, Basingstoke
Fri 31 May | Martin Taylor | The Forge, Churchill Way, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 7QR | 7.45pm | Tickets £23. Under 25s and full-time students £21 (includes £4 booking fee) | More info and booking via: anvilarts.org.uk | 01256 844244
Grammy-nominated musician Dr. Martin Taylor, MBE, is a virtuoso guitarist, composer, educator, and musical innovator, whom Acoustic Guitar Magazine calls “THE Acoustic Guitarist of his Generation”.