Jazz Gig Calendar

This is a live jazz gig listings service from Jazz in Reading. We feature mostly modern jazz gigs happening within 20 miles or so of Reading.

The listings used to be published monthly, under the name 'Jazz Round About Reading', but all gigs now appear in the calendar, the link for which is below left. Check it out whenever you feel the urge to hear live jazz. Don't forget to refresh your browser each time you visit, to be sure of catching all latest changes or additions. Please check with venues before setting off - all details may be subject to change.

Musicians, promoters and venues should send their gig information to us via the Submit Your Gig form. Please note that the details you submit will be checked and edited before being approved for publication. We reserve the right to make amendments before publication if we consider the content inappropriate or inaccurate.

If you have any queries, please email info@jazzinreading.com

Graeme Hewitt’s High Society Jazz Band | Theale

Rob Barron Trio, Leonard Bernstein Reimagined | Guildford

Leonard Bernstein wrote many songs that have become jazz standards. Rob devotes the first half to “West Side Story”, whilst the second half captures a wide range of music from Bernstein’s “Candide”, “On The Town”, ‘Wonderful Town”, “A Quiet Place” and more. With special guest, award winning jazz vocalist Emma Smith who has been making a name for herself as one of as of the finest vocalists to emerge on the London Jazz scene. With Jeremy Brown on double bass and Josh Morrison on drums.

Pete Allen Jazz Band | Newbury

Bracknell Jazz | Liam Noble and Geoff Simkins

Fri 1 Mar | Bracknell Jazz | Album Tour “Lucy Teeth” duo: Liam Noble – piano, Geoff Simkins – alto sax | South Hill Park Arts Centre, Ringmead, Bracknell, RG12 7PA | 7:30 – 10pm | £17.00 under 18yrs £8.50: for other concessions contact South Hill Park Booking Office 01344 484123 | Full details

Steve Waterman, The Music of Miles Davis | Cranleigh

Steve Waterman is one of the most in-demand jazz trumpet players in the UK and in this concert he celebrates the career of Miles Davis. With music from the 1950s album ‘Kind of Blue’ through to ‘Tutu’, one of the last albums Miles recorded, the quartet will focus on Miles’ own compositions. With pieces such as Boplicity from the ‘Birth Of The Cool’ album, music from the collaboration with Gil Evans, ‘Miles Ahead’, as well as pieces from Miles’ recordings during the sixties and seventies. With Nick Weldon – piano, Marianne Windham – bass, Felix Weldon – drums

Jazz at The Fisherman’s Cottage | Peter Bingham

Every fourth Tuesday: next date 26 March

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

Jazz @ The Retreat | Reading

Sun 25 Feb | Jazz @ The Retreat Reading | Stuart Henderson trumpet, Simon Price drums. Stuart Barker bass. Pete Billington piano, Karen Sharp sax l The Retreat , 8 St Johns St , RG14EH | 15.30 – 17.30 | Free entry, donations appreciated

Jazz at The Hope and Anchor, Wokingham | Peter Bingham Quartet

Peter Bingham started playing clarinet in his pre-teen years and later converted to saxophone at the age of 15 in order to play in his uncle’s dance band. He ran that band after his uncle retired and also played in an organ trio. He began playing modern jazz at a jazz workshop at the West End Centre in the late 1970s. Peter’s current band Equinox, formed in 2000, has a ‘first Tuesday of the month’ residency at The Four Horseshoes, Sherfield on Loddon.

Dinner Jazz at The Angel | Jenny Fay

Jenny’s early influences as a jazz singer naturally include Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald but she has found inspiration from many other singers with current obsessions including Gregory Porter, China Moses and the wonderful Liane Carroll.

Jenny has been fortunate enough to be tutored by Liane Carroll and has learnt from her the importance of crafting a song to tell a story that touches hearts. More recently Jenny has studied under Emilia Mårtensson, a winner of the Jazz Vocalist of the Year in the Parliamentary Jazz Awards.

Guildford Jazz at the Cricket Pavilion | Mark Kavuma Quintet

Mark Kavuma is fast becoming one of the best young trumpet players on the British jazz scene. Performing his brand new album, Ultrasound, Mark will bring together different elements from within the London jazz scene to create a unique, exciting, and fresh sound. With Theo Erskine – tenor sax, Noah Stoneman – piano, Michael Shrimpling – double bass, Shane Forbes – drums

Winter Blues and Jazz Weekender 2024 | Wallingford

Sun 18 Feb

11.00 am Fleur Stevenson & Maff Potts | Waterside Court

2.30 pm Oxford Community Gospel Choir | St Mary’s Church

5.00 pm Sounds of Blue Note – Pangbourne Jazz Club featuring Ben Cummings | OPO

7.30 pm Brothers from Another Mother | Town Arms

Full programme here

Winter Blues and Jazz Weekender 2024 | Wallingford

Sat 17 Feb

10.30 am Cholsey Silver Band | Waitrose

10.30a m Funky Friday (on a Saturday!) with Maff Potts | Family Centre

12.30 am Live Jazz in the Town Square – Mix of Surprise artists | Town Square

2.00 pm Stuart Henderson & Jez Cook | Bunkline

2.30 pm Film Screening – Soul (PG) Pixar Music Animation | Town Hall

5.00 pm Four + One | 5 Little Pigs

7.30 pm A Night of Frank & Louis with Enrico Tomasso & Denny Ilett | Corn Exchange

8.30 pm Hugh Turner Heavy Funk | The Dolphin

10.30 pm Late Night Jazz & Blues Jam | The Dolphin

Full programme here

Stan Tracey’s ‘Under Milk Wood’ Jazz Suite | Woodley, Reading

Sat 17 Feb | Stan Tracey’s ‘Under Milk Wood’ Jazz Suite | Details below…

Guildford Jazz at the Stoke | Simon Allen

An evening with the award winning saxophonist Simon Allen and his all-star quartet! Simon’s life in jazz began with The National Youth Jazz Orchestra and he then studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London. Simon has played in the Laurence Cottle All Star Big band and with his own quartets and quintets. Expect jazz fireworks! With Laurence Cottle – bass, Gareth Fowler – guitar, Jack Thomas – drums

Winter Blues and Jazz Weekender 2024 | Wallingford

Fri 16 Feb
5 pm Launch Event The Night Herons | Town Hall

7.30pm Jazz and Blues Divas – Fleur Stevenson, Rebecca Poole & Vimala Rowe | Corn Exchange

9 pm Hendrix & Hip Hop – Denny Ilett plays Jimi Hendix followed by MC Conrad | TBC
Full programme here

Marlow Jazz Club | Karen Sharp and Art Themen

Tues 13 Feb | Karen Sharp tenor & baritone saxes, Art Themen tenor & soprano saxes, Frank Harrison piano, Elliot Toms drums, Andy Crowdy bass | Marlow Jazz Club, The Royal British Legion Hall SL7 1NT / 8.30pm | £10

Often described as the Club’s most popular ‘partnership’ and a guarantee of great music. They usually pull a big crowd so to be sure of a good seat please phone 01628 486571 but still pay at the door.

Goring Community Jazz Club | Jonathan Judge

Fri 9 Feb | Jonathan Judge, saxophonist, Nick Hill piano, Howard King bass, Mike Goff drums | Goring Community Jazz Club, The Old School, Station Rd, Goring, Reading RG8 9AZ | 7pm doors 7:30 start | Tickets here £10 or Inspiration The Arcade Goring, or cash or card on the door | Bring your own drinks or drink at the Catherine Wheel, a two minute walk.

Jazz at Progress | Jean Toussaint Quartet

Fri 9 Feb – Jean Toussaint Quartet – Jean Toussaint tenor sax, Pete Billington piano, Paul Jefferies bass, Simon Price drums | Progress Theatre, The Mount, Reading RG1 5HL | 7: 30pm | £19.00 (£17.00 concessions, £10 under 16) plus maximum 5% booking fee | Details

SORRY – SOLD OUT!

Guildford Jazz at the Cricket Pavilion | Dennis Rollins

British trombone player Dennis Rollins has established a reputation as an artist of excellence. He has won many Jazz Awards, including Best Band and Trombonist of the Year at the British Jazz Awards and the Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Awards. With Ross Stanley, one of the most in demand keyboard players in the UK, Corrie Dick on drums and Marianne Windham on bass.

Moscow Drug Club | The Crooked Billet, Stoke Row

Tues 6 Feb | Moscow Drug Club | Katya Gorrie vocals, Jonny Bruce trumpet, Mirek Salmon accordion, Andy Bowen guitar, Andy Crowdy bass | The Crooked Billet, Stoke Row RG9 5PU | Arrive between 6.30 – 7.00 pm ( pre show dinner ) on stage 8.30pm | Full regular menu, £30 music cover charge | Special discounted £20 ticket price to Jazz in Reading recipients – tell the Crooked Billet when you book! | Tickets & table reservations on 01491 681048 / 682304 or paulclerehugh@thecrookedbillet.co.uk

An intoxicating curious experience. Imagine having a few to drink & staggering into the darkness of an East European cobbled street & stumbling into a bar where Django Reinhardt, Keith Richards & Tom Waits are having an after-hours jam with local Tziganes playing original material with songs by the likes of Jacques Brel, Leonard Cohen & Eartha Kitt.

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

Sat 3 Feb | 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

Blues at Oaken Grove | Michael Messer & Chaz Jankel

Banish the January blues…with the blues! Join slide guitar virtuoso, blues innovator (and favourite of Johnny Cash) Michael Messer, and multi-instrumentalist songwriter Chaz Jankel of Ian Dury and The Blockheads as they begin to tour their debut album, Mostly We Drive.
This unmissable collaboration has created a finely crafted, lyrically inventive tour-de-force, with upbeat, groove-based, feel-good music to brighten up the grey months.
• Exciting new collaboration between two seasoned blues legends.
• Come and hear the new album live before the tour kicks off!
• Be part of Oaken Grove’s first blues night.

Bracknell Jazz | Steve Waterman and Jonny Ford

Sunday Jazz with Stuart Henderson, Simon Price and guests | Reading

Sun 28 Jan | Sunday Jazz with Stuart Henderson, Simon Price and guests | Denny Ilett guitar, Iain Ballamy saxophone, Paul Jeffries bass, Simon Price drums, Stuart Henderson trumpet | The Retreat, 8 St John’s Street, Reading RG1 4EH | 15.30 | Free entry, contributions welcomed

Jazz at the Hope & Anchor | P’Jam

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!

Denny Ilett’s Jazz Club featuring Alec Dankworth and Clark Tracey

Wed 24 Jan Denny Ilett’s Jazz Club returns by popular demand for 2024. This month it features Alec Dankworth on bass, Clark Tracey on drums and of course, Denny Ilett on guitar and vocals. VIP table packages available as well as general seating and standing tickets. | The Green Room Henley, RG9 2AG | 7:00 PM – 10:30 PM | £8 – £15. Tickets

Art Themen/Iain Ballamy/Denny Ilett Trio | Crowmarsh Gifford

Sat 20 Jan | Art Themen and Iain Ballamy with the Denny Ilett Trio | Iain Ballamy sax, Art Themen sax, Denny Ilett guitar, Andy Crowdy double bass, Steve Brown drums | Crowmarsh Jazz Club, Crowmarsh Village Hall, Benson Lane, Crowmarsh Gifford, OX10 8ED | Bar and pizza available | Doors 6.45pm, show 7.30pm | £15 (£5 for Care workers & people on benefits): https://crowmarshjazz.co.uk

Evening Jazz | The Relais, Henley-on-Thames

Brian Throup

Goring Community Jazz Club | Ollie Weston, Hugh Turner

Fri 12 Jan | Ollie Weston saxophonist, Hugh Turner guitar. Howard King bass | Mike Goff drums | Goring Community Jazz Club. The Old School, Station Rd, Goring, Reading RG8 9AZ | 7pm doors 7:30 start | Tickets £10 from TicketSource or Inspiration The Arcade Goring, or cash or card on the door | Bring your own drinks or drink at the Catherine Wheel a few metres away.

Jazz at The Four Horseshoes | Sherfield-on-Loddon

2nd Tues in Jan -> 9th Jan | Equinox Quintet with Stuart Henderson | Stuart Henderson trumpet & flugelhorn, 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)

Pete Allen Jazz Band | Newbury

Evening Jazz | The Relais, Henley-on-Thames

Greme Hewitt’s High Society Jazz Band | Theale

Jazz at The Fisherman’s Cottage | Judge/Parker Scratch Quintet | Reading

Every fourth Tuesday: next date 30 Jan

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

Dinner Jazz at The Angel | P’Jam

Bossa Gringo Latin Quartet | Blewbury

This is a fabulous project created by saxophonist Toliy and good friend, guitarist Hugh Turner. This exciting quartet of crack musicians – Bossa Gringos takes Latin rhythms (Bossa Nova, Samba, Rhumba etc) and the iconic musicians who famously played this style (Stan Getz, Dizzy Gillespie, Antonio Jobim etc) and breathes new life into well known and not so well known melodies. The result is exciting stuff, with lilting rhythms, intriguing arrangements and some spectacular solo work from all four members. Unusually, the quartet boasts two bassists (Raph Mizuraki and Paul Jefferies), although they will alternate between percussion, acoustic upright bass and bass guitar. We promise, you’ll love it!

Jazz at Progress | Moscow Drug Club

SOLD OUT

Jazz Lunch | The Relais, Henley-on-Thames

Lawrie Wright

Simon Price & Guests | Reading

Simon Price and his guests will be delivering jazz arrangements of Christmas carols that Peter Billington has arranged. It should be a fun gig. Christmas carols in the jazz genre.

Guildford Jazz at St John’s Church | Claire Martin’s Christmas Cracker

An evening with multi-award winning vocalist Claire Martin OBE and her quartet. Expect some stylish reworkings of much loved standards from the Great American Songbook, plus some Christmas classics to enjoy and sing along with! Claire is hailed as ranking among ‘the four of five best jazz vocalists on the planet’ by Jazz Times USA. With Rob Barron – piano. Jeremy Brown – bass and Mark Taylor – drums.

Rebecca Poole | Five Horseshoes Maidensgrove

Fri 15 Dec | Rebecca Poole ace singer with Hugh Turner guitar Raph Mizraki acoustic bass, and special guest Stu Henderson trumpet, vocals and percussion | Five Horseshoes Maidensgrove nr Henley-on-Thames RG9 6EX | 8pm start | £20 music cover | Reservations 01491 64128. Diners only, you must book. Christmas special , book early !

Continuing the Five Horseshoes monthly jazz evenings. Fab food, full menu and bar, superb atmosphere, great jazz artists. Usually every last Friday of the month

Fleur Stevenson, Hugh Turner Jazz Duo | Didcot

Magoos Jazz Jam | Henley

Jazz Lunch | The Relais, Henley-on-Thames

Simon Cook

All Star Christmas Special | Crowmarsh Jazz, Wallingford

Sat 9 Dec | All Star Christmas Special: Bateman Brothers Jazz Band – The Music of Louis Armstrong | Crowmarsh Jazz Club, Crowmarsh Crowmarsh Village Hall, Benson Lane, Crowmarsh Gifford, OX10 8ED | Bar and pizza available | Doors 6.45pm, show 7.30pm | £15 (£5 for Care workers & people on benefits): https://crowmarshjazz.co.uk

Rebecca Poole | Abingdon

Sat 9 Dec | Rebecca Poole vocals, Hugh Turner guitar , Stu Henderson trumpet and percussion, Raph Mizraki acoustic bass and other instruments | Abingdon Theatre, Medieval Abbey Buildings, Checker Walk OX14 3JB | Doors 7:30pm, start 8:00pm | £16 – book here

The utterly fabulous Rebecca Poole comes to the Unicorn with her A team! Promoting a new album, playing old favourites, new compositions and maybe one or two Christmas favourites. This will be a night to remember.

Songstress Fleur Stevenson | Goring

Fri Dec 8 | Songstress Fleur Stevenson, Maff Potts piano, Howard King bass, Mike Goff drums | Goring Community Jazz Club,Old School House, Station Road Goring RG8 9AZ | Doors 7pm Band 7:30 pm | £10 | Tickets from here or from Inspiration The Arcade Goring-on-Thames. Cash or Card on the door

Guildford Jazz at the Stoke | Ben Holder “Hot Club Jazz”

Hot Club excitement with Ben Holder, the rising star of Stephane Grappelli-style jazz fiddle and arguably one of the most gifted and exciting jazz musicians you will see live today. An energetic mix of traditional jazz, mainstream and swing with a sprinkling of Ben’s own infectious originals, all harking back to the fun and abandon of the 1920s and 1930s. With Caley Groves – guitar, Nick Milward – drums and Marianne Windham – bass.

FSJB present Fusion 6 | The Butler, Reading

Thurs 7 Dec | FSJB present Fusion 6 plus Supporting DJ sets from Dave Crocker | Andy Kennedy saxes, flute and EWI, Tony Imbierski keys, Paul Wallace bass, Tony Mckenna drums, Alison Rolls vocals | The Butler, 85-91 Chatham St RG1 7DS Reading | 8 – 11.00pm | £6 in advance at WeGotTickets, £8 on the door | More info https://fsjbmusic.uk/

FSJB@thebutler in Reading has established the First Thursday of the month as a club style night for quality live music covering a variety of genres with a Funk Soul Jazz & Blues vibe. 7 December will be the last one of 2023 and to celebrate our first year we have Fusion 6 playing live in the Butler’s live room The Left Wing! Come along – with your dancing shoes – for an exciting repertoire featuring tunes from funk, soul and jazz fusion greats such as Herbie Hancock, The Crusaders, Gil Scott-Heron, James Taylor Quartet, Corduroy and many more.