Gigs

Funk Soul Jazz Blues @ The Butler, Reading | 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!

Argo Jazz | Reading

Martin Pyne Quartet | Bracknell

Martin Pyne’s solo album Spirits Of Absent Dancers was selected in The Guardian as one of the best albums of 2020 by author and critic Richard Williams. His recent quartet albums are also a vehicle for his evocative, melodic compositions, which often draw inspiration from literature. The music ranges from atmospheric ballads and waltzes to African and Arabic grooves, with hints of blues and Americana as well as playful Monkish swing, drawing on a range of influences including Paul Motian, Bill Frisell, Louis Sclavis and more. The quartet features Marianne Windham on double bass, guitarist Russell Jarrett, and Philippe Guyard on saxophones. Martin Pyne has frequently performed in Bracknell on percussion and vibes. www.bracknelljazz.co.uk

The Ewen Baird Group | Queens Head, Reading

Ewen Baird

Saxophonist and bandleader Ewen Baird is originally from Malawi but spent his formative years in Edinburgh. He is currently based in Oxford. Amongst others, he has performed with Jim Mullen, Steve Waterman, Geoff Castle, Kenny Baker and Dave Jones.

He has an MMus in Jazz Performance from Birmingham Conservatoire and teaches the saxophone and jazz improvisation around Oxfordshire.

Purdy’s New Music Launch Night | Purdy’s Pop-Up, Henley

Sat 4 Mar | Purdy’s New Music Launch Night | The HAODS studio, 19 New Street, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 2BP | 8pm, doors 7:30pm | Tickets £21 here

Jazz at The Four Horseshoes | Sherfield-on-Loddon

Tues 7 Mar | Equinox Quintet with Ross Law | Ross Law trombone, 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)

Graeme Hewitt’s High Society Jazz Band | Theale

Hot Club Gypsy Jazz | Crooked Billet, Stoke Row

Wed 8 Mar | Hot Club Gypsy Jazz – homage to Django Reinhardt & Stephane Grappelli | John Etheridge guitar, Christian Garrick, jazz violin | Crooked Billet, Newlands Lane, Stoke Row RG9 5PU | Arrive 6.30pm, 7pm latest | Music 7 – 10.30pm | Full regular menu, £28 music cover charge | For further information, tickets & table reservations contact the Crooked Billet, Stoke Row 01491 681048 / 682304 or paulclerehugh@thecrookedbillet.co.uk

Etheridge is undoubtedly one of the world’s greatest guitarists known for his eclecticism & broad range of associations in jazz, classical & contemporary music. At 75, he has recorded & performed with many including Stephane Grappelli, Soft Machine, Frank Zappa, Hawkwind & Nigel Kennedy. Sting said of Etheridge ‘I’m not bothered about fame, I just want to be remembered as a great musician like John Etheridge’.

Christian Garrick, gypsy jazz violin maestro is usually found touring the globe fronting his Budapest Cafe Orchestra. Whilst recognised as the world’s foremost jazz fiddler, his talents extend to all genres, recently lead violinist with Brighton Philharmonic performing Mendelssohn. You might have caught his recent solo spot of Strictly Come Dancing.

Guildford Jazz at the Cricket Pavilion | Mick Foster Quintet

Wed 8 Mar | Guildford Jazz at the Cricket Pavilion | Mick Foster Quintet | Mick Foster (baritone sax), Paul Higgs (trumpet), Rob Barron (piano), Marianne Windham (bass), Tristan Mailliot (drums) | Woodbridge Road, Guildford GU1 4RP | Food and drinks from 7.15pm Jazz from 8.00pm | Tickets £20 (discounts for members and students) from here

Mick Foster’s fantastic Quintet celebrates the music of acclaimed jazz musician, composer and arranger Gerry Mulligan and the “cool” West Coast Jazz style of the early 1950s, especially the original 1952-53 recordings with Chet Baker which would set the groundwork for many other groups.

Hugh Turner Funk Quartet | Reading

Thurs 9 Mar | Hugh Turner Funk Quartet | The Butler Pub, Chatham Street, Reading | 8.30pm | £7 cash / card on the door

High energy jazz and funk originals and covers with explosive guitarist Hugh Turner and group.

Jazz at The Goring Community Jazz Club | Debby Bracknell

Fri 10 Mar | Jazz at The Goring Community Jazz Club | Debby Bracknell vocals, TBC 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.

Winston Byrd Quintet | Crowmarsh Jazz, Wallingford

Sat 11 March | Winston Byrd Quintet | Winston Byrd trumpet, Nick Blake sax, Maff Potts piano, Raph Mizraki double bass, Charlie Stratford drums | Crowmarsh Jazz Club, Crowmarsh Crowmarsh Village Hall, Benson Lane, Crowmarsh Gifford, OX10 8ED | Bar available | Wallingford | doors 6.45pm, show 7.30pm | £15: https://crowmarshjazz.co.uk

Live Jazz, Blues and more | Reading

Tues 14 Mar | Live Jazz, Blues and more | Fisherman’s Cottage, Kennet Side RG1 3DW | Music from 7:30 | Free entry, donations welcomed

Every other Tuesday |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

Martin Speake Quintet – celebrating Charlie Parker | Fleet Jazz Club

Tues 14 Mar | Martin Speake Quintet – celebrating Charlie Parker | Martin Speake alto sax, Alyson Cawley tenor sax, Colin Oxley guitar, Marianne Windham bass, Matt Fishwick drums | The Harlington, Fleet, GU51 4BY | 8pm, doors and bar from 7.15pm | £20 | More information and tickets here or from the Box Office on 01252 811009 or on the door, cash or card.

Undoubtedly one of the most famous alto saxophone players in history, Charlie Parker was one of the most pioneering and influential artists in jazz music of his time and has shaped the course of jazz history since. “Martin Speake is one of the most interesting and rewarding alto saxophonists now playing jazz on any continent.” – Thomas Conrad, Jazz Times

Jazz at Progress | Zoë Gilby Quartet

Newcastle-based jazz vocalist and songwriter Zoë Gilby – Parliamentary Jazz Awards Jazz Vocalist of the Year 2019 – is making a stunning impression on the music scene at home and abroad. She tours internationally and throughout the UK, performing her compelling original compositions. Her performances offer an engaging repertoire of story-telling and atmosphere and typically include an adventurous blend of contemporary composers from Kate Bush to Thelonious Monk as well as sensitive treatment of jazz standards.

Guildford Jazz at the Boiler Room | BEAT with The Banger Factory

“Full of energy, vibe, blues, rhythm, gospel and emotions The Banger Factory is the finest and most exciting live act on the scene”. This band is like a family. The gang of brothers that exude tons of joy when witnessed on stage; each one of them is at the top of their game…

Vivace Chorus and All Stars Jazz Band | Guildford

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

Sat 18 Mar | The Supertonics Big Band, plus guest vocalist Miss Sarah Jane Eveleigh | Carnation Hall, Winkfield Row, Bracknell RG42 7PA | 7.30pm | Popular 17-piece Swing Band | Tickets £12, reserve in advance via davidbennett470@gmail.com or 07739-314261 or www.thesupertonics.co.uk

Hampstead Jazz Club All Stars – A Jazzy Mother’s Day Celebration | Dorchester on Thames

A very special Jazzy Mother’s Day Celebration featuring the sublime voices of Jo Harrop and Freddie Benedict alongside trumpet-master Andy Davies and virtuoso pianist Paul Edis. They will be adding their own contemporary twist to a set of timeless Great American Songbook classics mixed with a selection of songs from Harrop’s recent critically acclaimed albums, The Heart Wants and When Winter Turns To Spring – an achingly beautiful jazz journey celebrating the seasons in all their glory.

Simon Spillett and Bruce Adams | Marlow

Tues 21 Mar | Simon Spillett tenor sax, Bruce Adams trumpet & flugelhorn, Frank Harrison piano, Elliot Toms drums, Stuart Barker bass| Marlow Jazz Club The Royal British Legion Hall SL7 1NT | 8.30pm | £10

Guildford Jazz at the Cricket Pavilion | Louise Balkwell Quartet

Award-winning jazz vocalist Louise Balkwill makes her first appearance at Guildford Jazz with a show that boasts burning, vocalese-infused bebop and sultry, swinging blues. Louise has become renowned for her heartfelt renditions of much-loved jazz classics and gems from the Great American Songbook. 2022 was a significant year for her with the release of her debut album ‘First Class’, two international tours with the Puppini Sisters, plus winning the Riga Jazz Stage international jazz voice competition!

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