Monthly Archives: February 2024
Bracknell Jazz | Steve Waterman and Jonny Ford
Fri 2 Feb | Bracknell Jazz | Steve Waterman – trumpet, Jonny Ford – sax 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
Blues at Oaken Grove | Michael Messer & Chaz Jankel
Fri 2 Feb | Michael Messer & Chaz Jankel | Oaken Grove Vineyard, Benhams Lane, Fawley, Henley-on-Thames RG9 6JG | Doors open at 6.30pm and the music will start at about 7.30pm. | £25 | Burgers from the Little Urban Chef will be available to purchase on the night | Details and tickets
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.
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
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.
Guildford Jazz at the Cricket Pavilion | Dennis Rollins
Wed 7 Feb | Guildford Jazz at the Cricket Pavilion | Dennis Rollins | 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
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.
Jazz at Progress | Jean Toussaint Quartet | Sold out
Friday 9 Febuary 2024 | Progress Theatre, Reading | 7: 30pm | £19.00 (£17.00 concessions, £10 under 16) plus maximum 5% booking fee.
Jean Toussaint saxes
Peter Billington on a real piano
Paul Jefferies double bass
Simon Price drums
Jean Toussaint Quartet
Jean Toussaint, born in the West Indies, raised on Saint Thomas Island (of the famous jazz tune) and in New York, a brilliant world-famous tenor and soprano saxophonist who came to fame as a member of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers 1982-1986. Toussaint moved to London in 1987 when he was invited to be artist-in-residence at the Guildhall School of Music. In 2015/16 Toussaint devised a project dedicated to his mentor Blakey. The project was entitled “Roots & Herbs: The Blakey Project” and featured an all-star line-up of British jazz musicians with Julian Joseph, Byron Wallen, Dennis Rollins, Jason Rebello and Shane Forbes. The group toured the UK extensively throughout 2015/2016. In the International Stars Line Up for Jazz FM Awards he was ‘Instrumentalist Of The Year 2019’.
See this video of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers on tour in Germany in 1984, with a great intro of band members by Art Blakey followed by his drum intro of the first of two short tunes. Jean Toussaint solos in the two tunes are at 4.28 and 13.40 – view it here
Pete Billington, who will be playing a real piano, is a jazz pianist (and multi-instrumentalist) of immense repute. Fluid, articulate and perennially inventive, he is first-call pianist for many top level jazz stars and he also records and tours with some of the world’s great pop and rock players. He also teaches jazz piano and improvisation classes at Brunel University London.
Paul Jefferies is an accomplished bassist, promoter and teacher from Oxfordshire. He has made a name for himself as an active and successful promoter of music and musicians. He and his wife run the Little Live Music Company which creates live jazz music events and pop-up jazz clubs in Oxfordshire and surrounding counties.
Simon Price on drums with his Blakey-ish backbeat and propulsive drumming cannot fail to impress. He is the drummer of choice for many bands in the Thames Valley and Reading area and resident drummer and co-organiser with Stuart Henderson of the monthly jazz at the Retreat Pub in Reading.
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!
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.
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.
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
Guildford Jazz at the Stoke | Simon Allen
Fri 16 Feb | Guildford Jazz at the Stoke | Simon Allen | 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
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
Stan Tracey’s ‘Under Milk Wood’ Jazz Suite | Woodley, Reading
Sat 17 Feb | Stan Tracey’s ‘Under Milk Wood’ Jazz Suite | Details below…
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
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
Guildford Jazz at the Cricket Pavilion | Mark Kavuma Quintet
Thu 22 Feb | Guildford Jazz at the Cricket Pavilion | Mark Kavuma Quintet | 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
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
Dinner Jazz at The Angel | Jenny Fay
Sat 24 Feb | Jenny Fay and Friends | Jenny Fay vocals, Simon Cook piano, Phil Berry bass, Jim Wade drums | The Angel, Woolhampton RG7 5RT | 8pm | 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.
Jazz at The Hope and Anchor, Wokingham | Peter Bingham Quartet
Sun 25 Feb | Peter Bingham Quartet | Peter Bingham tenor sax, Phil Craddock piano, Lawrie Wright bass, Jim Wade drums | Hope & Anchor, Station Rd, Wokingham RG40 2AD | 7 – 9pm | Free entry
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.
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 Fisherman’s Cottage | Peter Bingham
Tues 27 Feb | Jazz at The Fisherman’s Cottage | Peter Bingham tenor sax, Phil Craddock piano, Phil Berry bass, Jim Wade drums | Fisherman’s Cottage, Kennet Side RG1 3DW | Music from 8pm | Free entry, donations welcomed.
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
