Gigs

Live Jazz, Blues and more | Reading

Tues 31 Jan | Live Jazz, Blues and more | Fisherman’s Cottage, Kennet Side RG1 3DW | Music from 7:30 | Free entry, donations welcomed

Every other Tuesday | 31 Jan | 14, 28 Feb | 14, 28 Mar | 11, 25 Apr | 9, 23 May | 6, 20 Jun

Live music. Free entry. Excellent food and drink. And a lot more space than the late-lamented Global Cafe. Who could ask for more?

The Fisherman’s Cottage is reached by 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

Musicians: if you’d like to take part, call one of the following and we’ll do our best to accommodate you: Ian Germer 07866 251216 / Jim Wade 07788 666608

Art Themen: Thane & The Villeins | Henley

A fantastically exciting, playful and inventive saxophonist, Art Themen has been a beloved character of the British jazz scene for over 50 years, famously combining his role as a consultant orthopaedic surgeon with saxophone duties in the bands of Alexis Korner and Stan Tracey among many others. Described by The Observer as “One of the tiny handful of undeniably perfect jazz musicians”, he remains as brilliant and inimitable as ever.

With organist Pete Whittaker, formerly of The Nigel Price Organ Trio, and drummer George Double who has worked as sideman to Shirley Bassey and Jack Jones, Themen has formed a new trio. Their album Thane & The Villeins is a collection of groove-led re-imaginings of quirky curiosities from the jazz canon, acting as a perfect vehicle for the twinkly mischief of this genuine grandee of British jazz.

Dinner Jazz at The Angel | P’Jam

Fronted by the exuberant Annie Parker on flute and bass flute, P’Jam is a joyful quartet of musicians who simply enjoy playing jazz together  in sometimes slightly unexpected and spontaneous ways. With a repertoire that  spans Miles Davis to the Beatles, expect an evening of great music in good company!

BEAT at the Boiler Room | Yolanda Charles Project PH

Yolanda has played bass guitar with Paul Weller, Robbie Williams, Mick Jagger,The Waterboys and Squeeze. Project PH features the skills of London-based guitarist Nick Linnik, the dynamic and versatile Laurie Lowe on drums, pianist Hamish Balfour and vocals provided by the superb soulful delivery of Paris Ruel and Adeola Shyllon.

Jazz Masterclass with Pete Long | Reading

Sat 21 Jan | Special guest Pete Long, students of the Reading Uni Big Band | University of Reading London Road Campus, Building L29, RG1 5AG | 13.30 until LATE | Adults £15, Students £5, tickets here

Reading Uni Big Band hosts this masterclass with jazz legend, Pete Long, followed by an evening jam session. All welcome to observe. Bookings essential.

P’Jam at the Queen’s Head | Reading

Rob Luft Quartet | Sunnyside Jazz Club, Benson

Award-winning Jazz Guitarist performs vibrant and refreshing modern jazz.

Guildford Jazz at the Cricket Pavilion | Jazz Samba with Mark Crooks and Nigel Price

Featuring leading tenor saxophonist Mark Crooks and award winning guitarist Nigel Price, ‘Jazz Samba’ spotlights Stan Getz and Charlie Byrd’s ground-breaking 1962 recording, the first bossa nova album recorded by American jazz musicians. The quartet also features Demi Garcia on percussion and Marianne Windham on double bass.

Live Jazz, Blues and more | Reading

Tues 17 Jan | Live Jazz, Blues and more | Fisherman’s Cottage, Kennet Side RG1 3DW | Music from 7:30 | Free entry, donations welcomed

Every other Tuesday | 17, 31 Jan | 14, 28 Feb | 14, 28 Mar | 11-25 Apr | 9, 23 May | 6, 20 Jun.

Live music. Free entry. Excellent food and drink. And a lot more space than the late-lamented Global Cafe. Who could ask for more?

The Fisherman’s Cottage is reached by 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

As well as jazz, we anticipate a healthy dose of blues, a bit of funk and even some occasional freeform to which no name has yet been assigned.

Musicians: if you’d like to take part, call one of the following and we’ll do our best to accommodate you: Ian Germer 07866 251216 / Jim Wade 07788 666608

Jazz at The Goring Community Jazz Club | Performance of Stan Tracey’s ‘Under Milk Wood Jazz Suite’

Fri 13 Jan | Jazz at The Goring Community Jazz Club | Performance of Stan Tracey’s ‘Under Milk Wood Jazz Suite’ | Ewen Baird saxophones, Martin Pickett piano, Steve Kershaw bass, Mike Goff drums | Goring Community Centre, The Old School, Station Rd, RG8 9HB | 7:30 pm | £10 | Please book early to avoid disappointment – tickets here, from Inspiration Goring or cash or card on the door.

Fleur Stevenson / Hugh Turner duo | Wallingford

Fri 6 Jan | Fleur Stevenson / Hugh Turner duo | Soirée 5 St Mary’s St Wallingford OX10 OER | 8-10.30pm | Free entry

Brazilian Night with “Samba em 3” | Bracknell

Principal flautist of the Jazz Symphony Orchestra of São Paulo, Daniel Allain is one of the foremost flute players in Brazil. We are lucky to book him just before he flies home in February. With the superb percussionist Aluá Nascimento and pianist Sam Watts, the trio will present a cornucopia of the authentic Brazilian genres which have been such an inspiration for jazz musicians, including samba, choro, forró, baião, frevo, with the local Brazilian band Polcas e Boas (www.polcas.co.uk) in support. www.bracknelljazz.co.uk

Guildford Jazz at the Cricket Pavilion | John Etheridge with Vimala Rowe

Led by guitar legend John Etheridge, his Blue Spirits Trio includes Pete Whittaker on organ and George Double on drums. They are joined by guest vocalist, the sensational Vimala Rowe. John and Vimala scored a resounding critical success with their album ‘Out of the Sky’, which was in the Top Ten Critic’s lists for 2016 in both the Guardian and Sunday Times.

Georgina Jackson ‘Christmas Sparkle’ | Farncombe

An evening of Christmas Sparkle with jazz vocalist and trumpeter Georgina Jackson. Georgina is widely acknowledged as the finest female lead trumpet player in the country. She is a regular vocalist with Ronnie Scott’s Big Band and has fronted BBC broadcasts with the BBC Big Band and the BBC Concert Orchestra. With Jim Watson on piano, Matt Home on drums and Guildford Jazz Anchor Marianne Windham on bass.

Alan Barnes’ “Copperfield” – A Dickensian Jazz Suite | Buy tickets

Friday 16 December 2022 | Progress Theatre, Reading | 7: 30pm | £18.00 (£16.00 concessions, £9 under 16) plus maximum 5% booking fee.

Alan Barnes and Dave Newton – two out of the eight musicians who are playing tonight

Alan Barnes sax, clarinets, Bruce Adams trumpet
Mark Nightingale trombone, Robert Fowler sax, clarinet
Karen Sharp sax, clarinet, David Newton piano
Simon Thorpe bass, Clark Tracey drums

“Copperfield” – a new jazz suite from Alan Barnes, touring for the first time this year, takes the audience through the characters and scenes of ‘David Copperfield’. Readings from the original Dickens tell the story, and after each scene eight virtuoso musicians bring the characters and scenes to life, switching audiences from hilarity to pathos with a skill that would have done credit to Dickens himself!

More info and tickets here

Alan Grahame & His All-Stars | Marlow

A legend of popular music as well as jazz, the veteran vibes player will demonstrate the many styles of the vibes in jazz. Pay at the door but advance reservation is strongly advised. 01628 486571

Jazz Shots 4 + 1 | Oxford

Bossa Gringo | Blewbury

Jazz at The Goring Community Jazz Club | Stuart Henderson trumpet

Fri 9 Dec | Jazz at The Goring Community Jazz Club | Stuart Henderson trumpet and flugelhorn, Mike Wilkins saxophone, Nick Hill piano, Howard King bass, Mike Goff drums | Goring Community Centre, The Old School, Station Rd, RG8 9HB | 7:30 pm | £10 | Please book early to avoid disappointment – tickets here, from Inspiration Goring or cash or card on the door.

The Hugh Turner “Global Cafe” Band | Reading

Christmas Concert: Ian Shaw | Fleet Jazz Club

Tues 6 Dec | Ian Shaw vocals, Iain Ballamy sax, Jamie Safir piano | Fleet Jazz Club, The Harlington, Fleet, GU51 4BY | Doors and bar open from 7.15pm, performance 8pm | Tickets £22 available here or from the Box Office on 01252 811009 (or on the door, cash or card)

An unmissable start to the Christmas Season! “What’s New“ – an exciting collaboration between three of the UK’s leading jazz musicians in chamber format. Multi-award winning vocalist Ian Shaw, his contemporary the legendary saxophonist and composer Iain Bellamy and one of the finest young pianists of his generation Jamie Safir. Their interplay draws on the connection of Bellamy and Shaw who have known one another almost since the start of their careers. The music is about human connections – friendships, relationships, positive and otherwise – and plunders 80 years of popular song with new arrangements of classics by Bernstein, Bacharach/David, Legrand, Jobim and Ellington. “Three great jazz voices entwining. Captivating.” Robert Elms, BBC Radio London

P’Jam | The Queens Head, Reading

P’Jam is a joyful quartet of musicians who simply enjoy playing jazz together  in sometimes slightly unexpected and spontaneous ways. With a repertoire that  spans Miles Davis to the Beatles, expect an evening of great music in good company!

Rosie Frater-Taylor | Guildford

22-year-old singer, songwriter & guitarist Rosie Frater-Taylor blurs the lines between jazz, folk, pop & soul. Think Joni Mitchell meets George Benson, Lewis Taylor teams up with Emily King or a female version of John Mayer.

Duncan Lamont Songbook | Bracknell

Saxophonist Duncan Lamont Jnr. will be celebrating the legacy of his illustrious father’s song writing career together with Esther Bennett, one of the London Jazz scene’s most highly respected jazz vocalists, pianist Terence Collie and bassist Richard Sadler. With songs recorded by Cleo Laine, Natalie Cole, George Shearing, Blossom Dearie and many others (not to mention the Mr Benn TV theme), Duncan Lamont Snr. was a giant of British jazz since the 1950s, often described as the new Cole Porter. www.bracknelljazz.co.uk

Roy Bailey Big Band | Goring

Thurs 1 Dec | Roy Bailey Big Band | Goring Village Hall, RG8 9AG | 7:45 pm (doors 7:25 pm) | £10 (£5 for U18) available now here and from Inspiration (Goring High Street) from 1 November. More information available on our website | Bring your own drinks and nibbles.

The Roy Bailey Big Band is delighted to be returning to Goring Village Hall on Thursday 1 December. This time, the band will bring you an evening of wonderful music from across eight decades of cinema! From the golden age of Hollywood to action heroes, detectives, lawyers, 30-something singletons, secret-agents, monsters, nuns and more! The full big band sound will be interspersed by solo instrumental and vocal features. Swing, salsa, bossa, jazz waltzes and classic rock mixed with brooding film noir soundtracks for the small hours – we have it all. Do join us!

The Jazz Defenders | GLOW Henley at Leander Club

Pete Churchill ‘Celebrating the Voice’ | Guildford

Renowned jazz vocalist Pete Churchill features with Nikki Iles on piano, Julian Nicholas on sax, Steve Brown on drums and Marianne Windham on bass, with an evening of songs from The Great American Songbook, accompanied by Pete’s trademark storytelling. There is an afternoon workshop exploring jazz singing through groove-based harmonies, led by Pete Churchill. Details on guildfordjazz.org.uk.

The Supertonics Big Band, plus guest vocalist Miss Sarah Jane Eveleigh | Bracknell

Sat 26 Nov | The Supertonics Big Band, plus guest vocalist Miss Sarah Jane Eveleigh | Popular 17-piece Swing Band | Carnation Hall, Winkfield Row, Bracknell RG42 7PA | 7.30pm | Tickets £12, reserve in advance via davidbennett470@gmail.com or 07739-314261 or www.thesupertonics.co.uk

P’Jam | The Angel, Woolhampton

Jazz at Progress | The Nat Steele MJQ Quartet: Portrait of the MJQ

Remix Jazz Orchestra | Finchampstead Memorial Hall

Chris Hodgkins Quartet | Shepperton

Gig for Ukraine | Marlow

Mockbeggars Hall Music Evening | Gareth Williams Trio

Sat 19 Nov | Gareth Williams Trio | Gareth Wiliams piano, Adam King double bass, Steve Brown drums | Mockbeggars Hall, Church End, Blewbbury, OX11 9QQ | 8pm, 7:30pm doors | £30 cash on the night; email Izabela@dircon.co.uk to reserve places | There will be an interval. Please bring your own drinks; glasses will be supplied | This will be a very intimate concert for 25-30 people. Please park in Westbrook St or Church End. The village has no street lights, you wil need a torch after the concert.

Mark Crooks and Robert Fowler Quintet | Fleet Jazz Club

Tues 15 Nov | Mark Crooks tenor sax, Robert Fowler tenor sax, John Pearce piano, Marianne Windham double bass, George Double drums | Fleet Jazz Club, The Harlington, Fleet, GU51 4BY | Doors and bar open from 7.15pm, performance 8pm | Tickets £20 available here or from the Box Office on 01252 811009 (or on the door, cash or card)

“From A to Z: The music of Al Cohn & Zoot Sims”. Al Cohn and Zoot Sims were two of the finest and most popular tenor sax players in jazz . Musicians loved them and audiences flocked to hear them at their long engagements at the Half Note Jazz Club in New York. Al Cohn wrote the inventive arrangements for this joyous free-wheeling quintet, which they co-led through much of the 1950s and 1960s. In-demand tenor players Mark Crooks and Robert Fowler salute Al & Zoot tonight, with swinging, straight-ahead jazz at its best. Mark works in a wide variety of musical settings including jazz, big band, classical, shows and recording sessions on clarinet and saxophone. He is a member of the award-winning Back to Basie Orchestra and the celebrated John Wilson Orchestra. He has performed with artists ranging from Tony Bennett to Sir Simon Rattle, Lady Gaga to Dame Cleo Laine at venues from Ronnie Scotts in London to the Lincoln Centre in New York. Robert has worked with many bands including The Great British Jazz Band, The Syd Lawrence Orchestra, Redtenbacher’s Funkestra, The BBC Big Band, the Humphrey Lyttelton Band, Alan Barnes’ Octet, The Back to Basie Orchestra and Brian Ferry. He has collaborated on soundtracks including for Baz Luhrman’s ‘Great Gatsby’ and Sky TV’s ‘Babylon Berlin’ series.

Greg Abate & Alan Barnes Quintet | Marlow

Tues 15 Nov | Greg Abate & Alan Barnes Quintet | Greg Abate (USA) alto and flute, Alan Barnes tenor and clarinet, Frank Harrison piano, Stuart Barker bass, Elliot Toms drums | Marlow Jazz Club, Royal British Legion Hall SL7 1NT | 8.30pm | £10

The poll-topping USA saxophonist is on tour and joins Alan Barnes and the resident trio for a potentially spectacular gig. Pay at the door, but essential to reserve in advance for this one – phone 01628 486571

Jazz at The Goring Community Jazz Club | Trish Elphinstone

Fri 11 Nov | Jazz at The Goring Community Jazz Club | Trish Elphinstone saxophonist, Martin Pickett piano, Howard King bass, Mike Goff drums | Goring Community Centre, The Old School, Station Rd, RG8 9HB | 7:30 pm | £10 | Please book early to avoid disappointment – tickets here, from Inspiration Goring or cash or card on the door.

The Hugh Turner “Global Cafe” Band | Reading

Thurs 10 Nov | The Hugh Turner “Global Cafe” Band | The Butler Pub, Chatham St, Reading RG1 7DS | 8:30 pm | £5 on the door

After 14 years at the lovely Global Cafe we have moved. Local virtuoso funk jazz guitarist High Turner leads his quartet through original compositions and covers by the likes of Herbie Hancock, John Scofield and Grant Green Come on down.

Davison Hemstock Quintet | Guildford

Trumpet player James Davison (former Young Musician of the Year) will be joined by sax and clarinet player Duncan Hemstock, performing a joyful, swinging, straight ahead set celebrating the music of two of their heroes: Ben Webster and Harry ‘Sweets’ Edison, along with brand new compositions written in dedication by Davison and Hemstock.

P’Jam | The Queens Head, Reading

Alex Hitchcock Quintet | Guildford

Alex’s quintet’s critically acclaimed 2018 debut album was described by All About Jazz as ‘an exquisitely subtle collection of tunes… the clearest indicator to date of the stratospheric trajectory on which this super-talented quintet is indubitably heading’.

Moscow Drug Club | Crowmarsh Jazz, Wallingford

Cafe Zazous | Reading

Steph Pirrie Quartet | The Angel, Woolhampton

Stephanie Pirrie by Ian Wallman

Steph Pirrie has performed as a vocalist with some of the UK’s finest musicians and is currently studying jazz trumpet at the UK Jazz School working with some of our most admired educators, including Nick Weldon, David Lewis and Steve Waterman.

She began studying voice and classical trumpet aged 11. Her love of harmony, singing and groove-based music inspired her to become a jazz singer.

Steph is also an accredited vocal coach and conductor specialising in groups, acapella, backing vocals and choirs.

Guildford Jazz at the Cricket Pavilion

Thurs 27 Oct | Guildford Jazz at the Cricket Pavilion | Julian Costello saxes, Natalie Rozario cello and vocals, Stafanos Tsourelis guitar and oud, Sophie Alloway drums, Marianne Windham bass | Woodbridge Road, Guildford GU1 4RP | food and drinks from 7.15 pm Jazz from 8.00 pm | Tickets £18 (discounts for members and students) from here

Internationally acclaimed saxophonist Julian Costello is bringing a new group to the club. Mixing jazz with a delicious world music element, they will be performing songs from diverse artists such as Sarah Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix and also original compositions from his albums on 33Jazz Records.

Johnny Thirkel, Mike Wills | Hedsor

Thurs 27 Oct | Johnny Thirkel – Trumpet, Mike Wills – Reeds, backed by The Martin Hart Trio | 8:30pm | £10 | The Hedsor Social Club, Hedsor Rd, Bourne End, Bucks. SL8 5ES. Please check https://jazzfromgeoff.blogspot.com for line-up changes, etc.

Emma Rawicz Quintet | Sunnyside Jazz Club, Benson

Fri 21 Oct | Emma Rawicz Quintet | Emma Rawicz saxophone, David Preston guitar, John Turville keyboard, Freddie Jenson bass and Asaf Sirkis drums | Benson Parish Hall, Sunnyside, Benson, Oxfordshire, OX10 6LZ | 19:30 to 22:00 | £16 – tickets here | Full bar selling a variety of soft and alcoholic drinks and snacks available.

Multi-award winning saxophonist and composer performs lilting Afro-Cuban grooves to hard-hitting modern jazz and funk. An all-star band will play music from her debut and upcoming album in a captivating performance. The range and depth of this talented performer and rising star is a must see for any jazz enthusiast!

Jazz at Progress | The Power Of Three

“Starace’s melodious originals offer good blowing potential for alto and soprano solos delivered in a cleanly articulate post-bop style reminiscent of Phill Woods.” Jack Massarik, Jazzwise

Nigel Price, Vasilis Xenopoulos | Hedsor

Thurs 20 Oct | Nigel Price – Guitar, Vasilis Xenopoulos – Sax, backed by The Martin Hart Trio | 8:30pm | £10 | The Hedsor Social Club, Hedsor Rd, Bourne End, Bucks. SL8 5ES. Please check https://jazzfromgeoff.blogspot.com for line-up changes, etc.

Gary Potter’s “Hot Club” | Marlow