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
Ben Cummings, Ollie Weston | Bourne End
Thurs 21 Mar | Ben Cummings – Trumpet, Ollie Weston – Alto Sax, backed by The Martin Hart Trio. 8:00, £10 | The Hedsor Social Club, Hedsor Rd, Bourne End, Bucks. SL8 5ES. Please check https://jazzfromgeoff.blogspot.com for line-up changes, etc.
Sam Braysher Plays Kurt Weill | Guildford
Thu 21 Mar | Guildford Jazz at the Cricket Pavilion | Sam Braysher Plays Kurt Weill | 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
Sam Braysher’s new project explores the work of Kurt Weill, a fascinating composer who lies at the intersection of European classical music, jazz, opera and American musical theatre. Although best known for songs such as “Mack The Knife” and “September Song”, Braysher looks at some of Weill’s lesser known pieces from the swirling harmonies of his Weimar-era early work with Bertolt Brecht, to his more jazz-adjacent American period. With Hungarian pianist Matyas Gayer, drummer Steve Brown and Marianne Windham on bass.
Jazz at Progress | Arbenz + Hart + Pursglove = ‘Conversation’
Fri 22 Mar – Arbenz + Hart + Pursglove = ‘Conversation’ – Florian Arbenz drums, percussion, Jim Hart vibraphone, percussion, Percy Pursglove trumpet/flugelhorn | Progress Theatre, The Mount, Reading RG1 5HL | 7: 30pm | £19.00 (£17.00 concessions, £10 under 16) plus maximum 5% booking fee | Details
Barb Jungr sings Bob Dylan | Dorchester on Thames
Sun 24 March | Snug Sessions at Bishop’s Court Farm, in conjunction with Hampstead Jazz Club: Barb Jungr sings Bob Dylan | Barb Jungr vocals, Simon Wallace piano, Davide Mantovani bass | Bishop’s Court Farm, 91 High St, Dorchester on Thames OX10 7HP | Doors: 6pm. Show: 7-9pm | £23 (+ booking fee) | Tickets
Hot Biscuits Jazz Broadcast
Next week sees the return of FAQ – electric jazz fusion with further audio snips from this 5-piece band earlier last year. Also in the broadcast is music from the great Charlie Parker, Wardell Grey Quartet, Louis Armstrong, Joshua Redman, Kevin Figues, Willie Ruff & Dwike Mitchell in interview. Finishing with Ambrose Akinmusire with Bill Frizzell and the Harper Trio, `Passing by.` If this looks interesting, please let me know and pass it on. Catch the broadcast 24/07 at www.mixcloud.com/stevebewick
Jazz at The Fisherman’s Cottage | John Harries | Sarah Jane Weston
Tues 26 Mar | Jazz at The Fisherman’s Cottage | John Harries tenor sax, Phil Craddock piano, Phil Berry bass, Jim Wade drums plus special set teaturing Sarah Jane Weston vocals/piano | Fisherman’s Cottage, Kennet Side RG1 3DW | Music from 8pm | Free entry, donations welcomed.
Every fourth Tuesday: next date 23 April
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
Denny Ilett’s Jazz Club, Henley-on-Thames | Ollie Weston, Andy Crowdy and Jez Cook
Wed 27 Mar | Denny Ilett’s Jazz Club | Ollie Weston sax, Andy Crowdy bass, Jez Cook guitar | The Green Room 48 Market Place Henley on-Thames RG9 2AG | Doors from 7:00pm – Music start 8pm | £8 – £15, VIP tables available, as well as delicious food platters | Book here
Denny is away on tour so his place is taken by the incomparable guitarist Jez Cook. Resident bassist Andy Crowdy takes the reins and has invited young sax sensation Ollie Weston to join them for an evening of swinging, melodic jazz standards. More info here
Jazz Singers’ Night In Reading
Wed 27 March | Jazz Singers’ Night In Reading | Fleur Stevenson host with house band | The Lyndhurst, 88 Queens Rd, Reading RG1 4DG | 8.00 pm | Every fourth Wednesday of the month | Free admission
Duncan Lamont Jr, Jenny Howe | Bourne End
Thurs 28 Mar | Duncan Lamont Jr – Reeds, Jenny Howe – Vocals, backed by The Martin Hart Trio. 8:00, £10 | The Hedsor Social Club, Hedsor Rd, Bourne End, Bucks. SL8 5ES. Please check https://jazzfromgeoff.blogspot.com for line-up changes, etc.
Bracknell Jazz | Nat Steele
Fri 29 Mar | Bracknell Jazz | Nat Steele – vibraphone with the Simon Cook Trio | 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
Cafe Zazous Gypsy Jazz | Lyndhurst Arms Reading
Good Friday 29 Mar | Cafe Zazous | David Ahmed guitar, Frank Biddulph violin, HBMore guitar, Dave Stamper guitar, Phil Berry double bass | 1pm till 3pm | Donations welcome | Great food and dancing| East Reading Festival
Dinner Jazz at The Angel | P’Jam
Sat 30 Mar | P’Jam | Annie Parker flutes, Phil Craddock piano, Marianne Windham bass, Jim Wade drums | The Angel, Woolhampton RG7 5RT | Music from 8pm | Free entry. Call 0118 971 3827 to make dinner reservations
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!
Jazz at the Hope & Anchor | P’Jam
Sun 31 Mar | P’Jam | Annie Parker flutes, Phil Craddock piano, Phil Berry bass, Jim Wade drums | Hope & Anchor, Station Rd, Wokingham RG40 2AD | 7 – 9pm | Free entry | Photo by Steve Foster – @jazzshot on Instagram
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!
Graeme Hewitt’s High Society Jazz Band | Theale
Guildford Jazz at the Cricket Pavilion
Wed 3 Apr | Guildford Jazz at the Cricket Pavilion | Vasilis Xenopoulos & Paul Edis | 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
Vasilis Xenopoulos and Paul Edis began playing together 20 years ago. In the intervening years they’ve played numerous gigs together, releasing their first album, A Narrow Escape, in 2016 to critical acclaim. Their latest recording ‘Feels Like Home’ features original music inspired by the many places they’ve called home over the years. Released on April 19th on the Ubuntu label. Vasilis Xenopoulos – tenor saxophone, Paul Edis – piano with Joel Barford on drums, Marianne Windham on bass
Jazz at The Hope and Anchor, Wokingham | Argo Jazz
Fri 5 Apr | Argo Jazz | John Harries sax, Alan Barwise drums, John Miller guitar, Rick Westoby keyboards, Paul Critchfield bass and vocals | Hope & Anchor, Station Rd, Wokingham RG40 2AD | 7 – 9pm | Free entry
Argo Jazz is an exciting and entertaining group with a sound combining sublety, energy, variety and expression. The band offers an eclectic mix of jazz, blues, and songs from across the decades. Songs written in the 1930’s find a home alongside much more recent compositions.
Blue Magoo | Henley
Fri 5 Apr | Blue Magoo | Magoos, 22 Hart Street, Henley-On-Thames, RG9 2AU | 7.30 – 9.30pm | Free entry.
Following on from their packed out gig at Magoos in December, this unique, fun, upbeat eight piece band will be playing there again with a heady mix of Jazz, Latin, Calypso, Funk and more. It’s a free gig and a great way to start your weekend!
Aret Komlosy/Hugh Turner/Ollie Weston Trio | Oxford
Sun 7 Apr | Aret Komlosy/Hugh Turner/Ollie Weston Trio | Great jazz singer Aret accompanied by guitarist Hugh Turner and great sax man Ollie Weston | Joe’s Bar and Grill, Summertown, Oxford | 7-9pm | Free
Hugh Turner Trio | Burford
Thurs 11 Apr | Hugh Turner Trio | Jazz , funk , swing from guitarist Hugh Turner with Jerry Soffe electric bass, Steve Wyndam drums | The Cotswold Merrymouth Inn, Burford | 8pm | £14.50
Guildford Jazz at the Stoke
Fri 12 Apr | Guildford Jazz at the Stoke| Jim Mullen Organ Trio| The Stoke Pub, 103 Stoke Road, Guildford, GU1 4JN | Doors Open 7.15 pm, Jazz from 8.00 pm | Tickets £18 (Discounts for Members and Students) from here
Jim Mullen is widely regarded as one of the finest jazz guitarists in Europe. He made his name playing with a number of bands through the 70’s and 80’s including Brian Auger’s “Oblivion Express”, and his own highly acclaimed band “Morrissey-Mullen”. The band he leads this evening features the classic Organ trio format with Ross Stanley on organ and Tristan Maillot on drums, performing a set of originals and jazz standards. “One of the great Jazz guitarists working today” Jazzwise; “World Class” Guardian
Goring Community Jazz Club | The New Jazz Sextet
Fri 12 Apr| The New Jazz Sextet featuring Andy Townsend, trumpet, Ewen Baird, saxophone, Ross Law, trombone, 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.
Fleur Stevenson Trio | Hook
Sat 13 April | Fleur Stevenson Trio, Black Cat Jazz Club, Hook | Fleur Stevenson vocals, Jez Cook guitar, Pete Maxfield double bass | Andwell Restaurant at Andwell Brewery | 8.00 pm | Tickets: £12.50 https://www.andwells.com/
Aret Komlosy/Hugh Turner Duo | Abingdon
Sat 13 Apr | Aret Komlosy/Hugh Turner Duo | The Waggon & Horses, Southmoor, Abingdon OX13 5BG | 8 -10pm | Free entry
Marlow Jazz Club | Tribute to Louis Armstrong & Frank Sinatra
Tues 16 Apr | Marlow Jazz Club | The Enrico Tomasso & Denny Ilett Quintet’s ‘Tribute to Louis Armstrong & Frank Sinatra’ | Enrico Tomasso trumpet & vocal, Denny Ilett guitar & vocal, Peter Billington piano, Andy Crowdy bass, Alex Goodyear drums | Royal British Legion Hall SL7 1NT | 8.30pm | £10 | Exciting new band that looks like being a big success | Advance reservation advised – phone 01628 486571
Guildford Jazz at the Cricket Pavilion
Thu 18 Apr | Guildford Jazz at the Cricket Pavilion | Denny Ilett & The Chris Ingham Trio| 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
Remarkably versatile guitarist/singer, encompassing swing, bebop, blues, rock and everything between, Denny is equally acclaimed for his thrilling guitar playing, smooth vocalising and appearances at Ronnie Scott’s fronting his jazz salute to Jimi Hendrix with the Electric Lady Big Band. With the Chris Ingham on piano, George Double on drums and Marianne WIndham on bass. “A knock-out player… soulful and jazz-tinged” Guitarist “Comprehensive mastery of the guitar” The Whitman Review
Crowmarsh Jazz Club | Rebecca Poole Quartet
Sat 20 Apr | Rebecca Poole Quartet | Rebecca Poole vocals, Stuart Henderson trumpet, Hugh Turner guitar, Raph Mizraki double bass | 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
Fleur Stevenson Trio | Datchet
Tues 23 Apr | Fleur Stevenson Trio featuring guitarist Hugh Turner, acoustic bassist Marianne Windham | Datchet Village Hall | 2 – 3.45 pm | £7
Jazz Singers’ Night In Reading
Wed 24 April | Jazz Singers’ Night In Reading | Fleur Stevenson host with house band | The Lyndhurst, 88 Queens Rd, Reading RG1 4DG | 8.00 pm | Every fourth Wednesday of the month | Free admission
Cornerstone Arts Centre, Didcot | Fleur Stevenson
Fri 26 Apr | Cornerstone Arts Centre, Didcot | Fleur Stevenson vocals, Hugh Turner guitar | 25 Station Rd, Didcot OX11 7NE | 6.00 pm | Free admission
Dinner Jazz at The Angel | Emily Windham Trio
Sat 27 Apr |Emily Windham Trio | Emily Windham vocals, Xavier Riley guitar, Marianne Windham bass | The Angel, Woolhampton RG7 5RT | Music from 8pm | Free entry. Call 0118 971 3827 to make dinner reservations
Emily Windham is an actress, singer and performer. A versatile and skilled vocalist with an engaging stage presence, she studied at RADA and The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, and since graduating has toured shows across the UK and Europe and worked in feature and short films. Xavier Riley, with influences from Django Reinhardt to Wes Montgomery and beyond, plays with groups throughout the South East. A lyrical bass player, Marianne Windham is the founder and driving force of Guildford Jazz, and has performed with many of the UK’s leading jazz musicians.
Jazz at the Hope and Anchor, Wokingham | Jenny Fay Quartet
Sun 28 Apr | Jenny Fay Quartet | Jenny Fay vocals, Simon Cook piano, Rudy Cook bass, Jim Wade drums | Hope & Anchor, Station Rd, Wokingham RG40 2AD | 7 – 9pm | Free entry
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.
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
Fleur Stevenson Trio | Maidensgrove
Fri 10 May | Fleur Stevenson Trio, Maidensgrove | Fleur Stevenson vocals, Hugh Turner guitar, Raph Mizraki 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
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 | £10 tbc
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
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/
Fleur Stevenson/ Hugh Turner Duo | Didcot
Fri 17 May | Fleur Stevenson/ 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 | £19.80 including a glass of wine / soft drink
Jazz at The Hope and Anchor, Wokingham | Gareth Chelley & Friends
Sun 26 May | Gareth Chelley & Friends | Gareth Chelley tenor sax, Phil Craddock piano, Barrie Griffin bass, Jim Wade drums | Hope & Anchor, Station Rd, Wokingham RG40 2AD | 7 – 9pm | Free entry
Tenor saxophonist Gareth Chelley, equally at home with American songbook standards and bebop numbers, plays with a variety of groups in the home counties. He is a master of improvisation, his carefully crafted phrasing seamlessly weaving melodic lines and unexpected harmonies into the music.
Fleur Stevenson/Hugh Turner Quartet | Swindon
Sat 1 June | Fleur Stevenson/Hugh Turner Quartet featuring Stu Henderson trumpet / percussion. Acoustic bass / sax tbc | Highworth Hotel | Highworth Jazz festival near Swindon | 3-4 pm | £tbc
Damon Sawyer Quartet | Marlborough
Thurs 6 June | Damon Sawyer Quartet | Drummer Damon Sawyer leads his outfit through jazz , funk, swing and latin. Featuring guitarists Hugh Turner and Chris Cobbson plus Raph Mizraki electric bass | Horseshoe Inn, Mildenhall, Marlborough | 8-10.30pm | Free entry
Blakes Heaven Big Band featuring Fleur Stevenson | Henley-on-Thames
Thurs 6 June | Blakes Heaven Big Band featuring Fleur Stevenson | Kenton Theatre, Henley-on-Thames RG9 2BP | Tickets: https://thekenton.org.uk/events/
Fleur Stevenson with Simeon Lord Trio | Didcot
Fri 7 June | Fleur Stevenson with Simeon Lord Trio | Simeon Lord sax, Fleur Stevenson vocals, Hugh Turner guitar, Howard King double bass | The Barn, Foxhall Rd, Didcot OX11 7AD | Tickets: Tickets: http://simeonlordmusician.uk/
Sundowner Jazz Cruise with Fleur Stevenson | Caversham
Sat 8 June | Sundowner Jazz Cruise with Fleur Stevenson | Fleur Stevenson vocals, Maff Potts piano | Thames River Cruise, Main Pier Caversham Pier, Caversham RG1 8BD | 6-8pm | £36 Tickets: https://www.thamesrivercruise.co.uk/events/saturday-sundowner-cruise
Hugh Turner Funk Trio | Camberley
Sun 9 June | Hugh Turner Funk Trio featuring funk and jazz from electrifying guitarist Hugh Turner, Stefan Redtenbacher electric bass, Paul Glover drums | Login Lounge, Camberley | 1-3pm | Free entry
Fleur de Lys Jazz Festival – Fleur Stevenson Quintet et al. | East Hagbourne
Sun 16 June | Fleur de Lys Jazz Festival, East Hagbourne | Ronnie Scott’s All Stars, Fleur Stevenson Quintet, Dom Pipkin and The Ikos | Fleur de Lys, Main Road, East Hagbourne, Oxfordshire OX11 9LN | Tickets: £30, tel. 01235 813247 info@thefleurdelyspub.co.uk
Jazz at Progress | The Gaz Hughes Trio: The Nuclear Bebopalypse Tour
Fri 21 Jun – The Gaz Hughes Trio: The Nuclear Bebopalypse Tour – Gaz Hughes drums, Andrzej Baranek piano, Gavin Barras double bass | Progress Theatre, The Mount, Reading RG1 5HL | 7: 30pm | £19.00 (£17.00 concessions, £10 under 16) plus maximum 5% booking fee | Details
Fleur Stevenson/Hugh Turner Duo | Didcot
Fri 21 June tbc | Fleur Stevenson/Hugh Turner duo | Great jazz songstress with guitar accompaniment | Cornerstone Arts Foyer, Didcot | 5-7pm | Free