Monthly Archives: April 2023

P’Jam at the Queen’s Head | Reading

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!

The Art Themen Trio | Abingdon

Kitty Harrison and Nick Shankland | Purdy’s Pop-Up, Henley

Sat 1 Apr | Kitty Harrison and Nick Shankland | The HAODS studio, 19 New Street, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 2BP | 8pm, doors 7:30pm | Tickets £21 here

American High School musical concert | Henley

Sat 1 Apr | Boyerton area Senior High on tour from Pennsylvania USA | Christ Church, Henley-on-Thames RG9 1AG | 6:30pm | Free entrance with collection in aid of Henley Music School venue fund.

This American High School Music Department will be staying in London for five days where they will be giving a masterclass in St John’s Smith Square, attending a West End Musical, and an LSO concert at the Barbican. They will be coming to Henley-on-Thames to give this special performance. A rare chance to hear young musicians from Pennsylvania on tour in Henley! This will be an inspiration to both young and not-so-young and we invite you for a showcase of enticing music – ranging from Big Band, show tunes and popular classics. There are 80 performers in total – a band, an orchestra and a choir – and we’d like to give them a proper Henley welcome by having a good turn out from the community.

The Pete Allen Jazz Band | Newbury

Jazz at The Four Horseshoes | Sherfield-on-Loddon

Annie Parker

Tues 4 Apr | Equinox Quintet with Annie Parker | Annie Parker flute, 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

Featuring Mike Henry on trumpet (with Chris Barber for over twenty years), Bruce Boardman on piano (with Graeme every Sunday lunchtime at the Ramada Hotel in Reading – over 40 years ago and went on to become pianist to Val Doonican), and Dave Moorwood who played regularly with Graeme, he joins the band on banjo and guitar and will add some unique vocals to the session.

Guildford Jazz at the Cricket Pavilion | Kate Williams Quartet

Bill Evans

Pianist/composer Kate Williams has gained a reputation as a distinctive writer and performer, with her Bill Evans-inspired piano playing receiving critical acclaim. Her quartet, which features world class guitarist Mike Outram, will pay tribute to Bill Evans and Emily Remler. This evening’s programme will include some of their original tunes as well as some of their unique takes on well-known standards. “Williams has a quality rare among jazz composers: a musical vocabulary that’s all her own” The Observer ****

Funk Soul Jazz Blues @ The Butler, Reading | Limpopo Groove

Nigel Price | Bracknell

Nigel Price is one of Britain’s finest guitarists. His blend of flowing bebop lines, blues feeling and the will to swing has made him instantly accessible and popular with jazz audiences. He is a regular performer at Ronnie Scott’s and ex James Taylor Quartet. Nigel is also the founder and fierce champion of the Grassroots Jazz charity. The Bracknell Jazz house band will be joined by Jonny Ford on tenor sax. www.bracknelljazz.co.uk

Fleur Stevenson/Hugh Turner Duo | Reading

Sun 9 April | Fleur Stevenson/Hugh Turner Duo | Lyndhurst arms Reading – part of the Easter Village Festival | Time tbc prob 4-6pm | Free entry

Hugh Turner Funk Quartet | Reading

Thurs 13 Apr | Hugh Turner Funk Quartet | The Butler Pub, Chatham Street, Reading | 8.30pm | £7 cash / card on the door

Guildford Jazz at the Cranleigh Arts Centre | Chris Ingham Quartet

The comic actor Dudley Moore was also one of the UK’s most dazzling, swinging jazz pianists and an accomplished composer. Following a UK tour and performances at the EFG London Jazz Festival and Ronnie Scott’s, pianist Chris Ingham and his quartet present an entertaining evening revisiting Dudley’s 1960s jazz. “Unfailingly tuneful and spiced with gentle harmonic guile…Dudley would have been delighted” **** OBSERVER “Swing, humour and poignancy…a jazz joy” **** MOJO

Art Themen Quartet | Norden Farm, Maidenhead

Hugh Turner | Goring

Fri 14 Apr | Hugh Turner guitar, Nick Hill piano, Howard King bass, Mike Goff drums | Goring Community Centre, The Old School, Station Rd, RG8 9HB | 7:30 pm | £10

Evening Jazz | The Relais, Henley-on-Thames

The Songs of David Bowie…Re-Imagined Featuring Oliver Darley and Chad Lelong | Dorchester on Thames

“A voice that could sing the angels to sleep and wake the devil from his bed.” Ray Charles. Oliver Darley and pianist Chad Lelong will be unveiling their stunning debut album – The Seat With The Clearest View. Covering every aspect of the Starman’s career, this astonishing show is reassuringly familiar and yet utterly unlike anything Bowie fans might expect. Hosted by the Executive Producer of the album – BBC broadcaster, Jonathan Wingate – who worked as David Bowie’s spokesman.

Stan Tracey’s Under Milk Wood Suite | Marlow

Tues 18 Apr | Marlow Jazz Club | The Mike Goff Quartet | Ewen Baird saxophone, Martin Pickett piano, Steve Kershaw bass, Mike Goff drums, together with a Narrator and two Welsh voices adding short extracts from Dylan Thomas’s amusing work | Royal British Legion Hall SL7 1NT | 8.30pm | £10 pay at the door

This is likely to be a very popular gig so advance reservation is strongly advised on 01628 486571

Moscow Drug Club | Fleet Jazz Club

A curious musical place where elements of Berlin Cabaret, Latin Tinge, French musette and storytelling meet… Imagine having a few to drink and staggering arm in arm into the darkness of an eastern European cobbled street and stumbling into a bar where Django Reinhardt and Tom Waits are having an after-hours jam with the local Tziganes. Combining their original material with songs by the likes of Jaques Brel, Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen & Eartha Kitt, Moscow Drug Club delivers an intoxicating and intimate musical experience “★★★★ Brilliant” – The Jazz Mann |

Guildford Jazz at the Stoke Pub | Dave Lewis Quartet

Dave Lewis

US tenor saxophonist Dave Lewis is a soulful and funky player with a natural affinity to the Jazz/ R&B greats like Dexter Gordon, King Curtis and Joe Henderson. Dave will be joined by Robin Aspland, one of the most accomplished pianists and accompanists in the UK, and the extraordinary Rod Youngs on drums, with Guildford Jazz anchor Marianne Windham completing the line up on double bass.

Gaz Hughes Trio | Sunnyside Jazz Club, Benson

Exciting drum-led jazz trio with lashings of swing and effortless bebop improvisation

Rhythms at The Yurt | Art Themen Trio featuring Denny Ilett

The music continues at the cosiest and most intimate venue in Oxfordshire! The team from Rhythms at the Yurt have cooked up a great calendar of spring and summer events for you to enjoy. Be warned with just 30 seats these events sell out fast !

John Etheridge and Vimala Rowe | Crowmarsh Jazz, Wallingford

Sat 22 April | John Etheridge and Vimala Rowe | John Etheridge guitar, Vimala Rowe vocals, Raph Mizraki double bass and Charlie Stratford drummer | 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

Joanna Eden Trio | Maidensgrove nr Henley

Super jazz singer/songwriter Joanna is a regular performer at all the top London jazz clubs including Ronnie Scott’s, Dean St Pizza Express and the Pheasantry in Chelsea.

Fleur Stevenson/Hugh Turner Duo | Didcot

Jazz at Progress | Leon Greening Trio plus guest Alex Garnett

Jazz at Progress | Leon Greening Trio plus guest Alex Garnett | Buy tickets

Friday 28 April 2023 | Progress Theatre, Reading | 7: 30pm | £18.00 (£16.00 concessions, £9 under 16) plus maximum 5% booking fee.

Leon Greening piano
Alex Garnett sax
Adam King bass
Steve Brown drums

Leon Greening studied piano at Leeds College of Music and the Guildhall. His extraordinary solos, inspired by the likes of Wynton Kelly, Bobby Timmons and Bud Powell, keep the audience on the edge of their seats and mark him out as one of the finest pianists this country has ever produced. His hard swinging style has made him a favourite on the UK Jazz circuit for well over a decade, and his intense performances have not only encouraged a loyal following but high praise from critics:

“One of the most swinging bands on the jazz planet” – Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club promotion

“Leon Greening….epitomises the assured confidence of a new generation.’” – Jazz Journal

“Listening to Leon Greening’s playing is like hearing a history of post-Bop piano…authentic and yet personal echoes of (all the greats)…” – Clark Tracey

Alex Garnett has been one of the leading saxophonists in the UK and Europe for over two decades, instantly recognised by his dark, husky sound. A versatile musician and first call sideman, he has enjoyed success as both a jazz artist, composer and arranger, and an in demand session, studio and commercial saxophonist, having racked up countless recording credits along the way and has performed in over 30 countries worldwide.

Bassist Adam King as a youngster started on the saxophone before moving to bass guitar and finally to the double bass on which he gained a 1st class honours degree in BA Jazz. Since then he has become one of the most in demand bassists playing with some of the most prolific musicians on the UK and international jazz scene and often playing at London’s top jazz establishments.

Steve Brown, always smiling, always swinging, and drummer with the Scott Hamilton quartet since 2000, studied in New York in the early 1990s. Subsequently working in the Far East and Europe where he was a finalist in the European Jazz Competition in Germany, he moved back to the UK in 1996 where he has become one of the most sought-after drummers in the country, and brings to any band a sense of relaxation and good humour.

Listen to Leon’s hard swinging action in this clip (with Adam King):

… and to Alex Garnett here (with Leon and Adam):

Buy tickets

Frank Harrison Trio | Blewbury

Private house concert, strictly advance bookings and payment. We’re very excited to welcome this wonderful trio of musicians to Mockbeggars Hall.They are all superstar players in their own right and together they will be explosive. Expect a wonderful evening of piano led modern jazz with an exceptional rhythm section.

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.

Jazz at the Hope & Anchor | P’Jam

Come along to support this new venture – regular early Sunday evening jazz in a terrific venue

Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong Featuring Jo Harrop, Andy Davies and Alex Hutton | Dorchester on Thames

“A very fine jazz singer. When she sings, she moves me.” Iggy Pop – BBC 6 Music. For this very special one-off performance, Jo Harrop will be joined by trumpeter Andy Davies and pianist Alex Hutton to celebrate the music of Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong. Between 1956 – 1959, they recorded three timeless albums (Ella and Louis, Ella and Louis Again and Porgy and Bess). Although Fitzgerald and Satchmo’s singing styles could not have been more different, together they enjoyed a symbiotic musical connection which still sounds utterly irresistible after all these years.

Jazz and World Music | South Croydon

Jazz Funk & Soul Fusion @ Oaken Grove Vineyard, Henley on Thames

April 2023
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