Gigs
Jazz at Progress | Jazz Samba!
Fri 1 May 2026 | Jazz Samba! | Nigel Price guitar, Mark Crooks tenor sax, John Cervantes piano, Marianne Windham bass, Demi Garcia, percussion | Progress Theatre, The Mount, Christchurch Road, Reading, RG1 5HL | Doors 7pm, Music 7:30pm | £20.00 (£18.00 concessions, £10 under 16) | Information and tickets
The Paul Sykes Big Band with Denny Ilett | Mytchett
Jazz at The Four Horseshoes | Sherfield-on-Loddon
Tues 5 May | Equinox Quintet with Derek Nash | Derek Nash saxophones, 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
Guildford Jazz at The Guildford Cricket Pavilion | Derek Nash Quartet
Wed 6 May | Guildford Jazz at The Guildford Cricket Pavilion | Derek Nash Quartet | Guildford Pavilion, Woodbridge Rd GU1 4RP | Jazz from 20.00 to 22.15| Tickets £20 (Discounts for Members and Students) from here
Irrepressible saxophone star of the Jools Holland Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, Derek Nash is one of the hottest, funkiest players on the UK scene. He exudes an irresistible exuberance as both bandleader of his distinguished group Sax Appeal and as a distinguished jazz soloist and composer in his own right. With David Newton, (16 times winner of the British Jazz Awards for Best UK Jazz Piano Player) on piano, Sebastian de Krom on drums, and Marianne Windham on bass.
Jazz at The Six Bells: Annie Parker & Friends | Beenham
Photo: Steve Foster @jazzshots
Wed 6 May 2026 | Annie Parker & Friends | Annie Parker jazz flutes, Phil Craddock piano, Howard King bass. Jim Wade drums | The Six Bells, The Green, Back Lane, Beenham, RG7 5NX | 8 –10pm | Entry just £6 | Book places by email or call 0118 971 3368 or pay on the door.
Fronted by the exuberant Annie Parker on flute and bass flute, these joyful musicians 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!
Julian Nicholas Quartet | Goring
Fri 8 May 2026 | Julian Nicholas Quartet, with Martin Pickett on piano, Dexter Norton on drums and Howard King on bass | Goring Community Jazz Club, Goring Village Hall, RG8 9AG | 7:30 doors 8pm start | Tickets from TicketSource £14, cash or card on the door | Bar by Goring & Streatley Young Musicians Trust | Parking 2 minute walk at Wheel Orchard car park.
Claire Martin and Ian Shaw | Crowmarsh
Sat 9 May 2026 | Claire Martin and Ian Shaw | Crowmarsh Village Hall, Benson Lane, Crowmarsh Gifford, OX10 8ED | £20
Plenty of free parking is available. There is a bar and stone baked pizza available provided by local pub The Queens Head. Tickets are reduced to £5 for anyone living or working in adult social care and anyone in receipt of benefits from DWP – please get in touch for details: email or phone (07795974223).
Pete Allen’s Big Jazz Band | Newbury
Guildford Jazz at The Guildford Institute | Marianne Windham Trio
Mon 11 May | Guildford Jazz at The Guildford Institute | Marianne Windham Trio | Guildford Institute, Ward St, GU1 4LH | Jazz from 14.00 to 15.00 | Tickets £12 (Discounts for Members and Students) from here
Guildford Jazz anchor Marianne Windham, recipient of the ‘Services to Jazz’ Award in the 2026 Parliamentary Jazz Awards, brings her chosen instrument to the fore to explore the role of the bass in the history of jazz and considers the bass players who have influenced her playing and musical journey. With the brilliant and versatile Steve Lodder (whose career includes touring with the pop group Simply Red and musical collaborations with Paul McCartney) on piano and Martin Pyne on drums.
Moscow Drug Club | The Crooked Billet, Stoke Row
Tues 12 May 2026 | Moscow Drug Club | Curious mix East European jazz, Jacques Brel, Django | The Crooked Billet, Newlands Ln, Stoke Row RG9 5PU | Arrive 7pm latest, music from 8:30 PM | £33 music cover | Full details and tickets here or call us on 01491 681048
Hugh Turner’s Nu Funk Five | Marlow
On Tuesday 12th May 2026 the club will welcome the great Hugh Turner and his wonderful band the Nu Funk Five. For many, Hugh doesn’t need much introduction – he is a premium local talent. Suffice to say, however, he is one of jazz’s finest guitarists and also one of its funkiest exponents. Think George Benson, John Scofield, Grant Green. Jazz standards and originals are all played with his inimitable groove and he is backed by a group which is equally groove oriented.
Photo courtesy of Steve Foster – @jazzshots (Instagram & FB
Jazz at The Fisherman’s Cottage | Peter Bingham
Thurs 14 May 2026 | Jazz at The Fisherman’s Cottage | Peter Bingham tenor sax, Phil Craddock piano, Howard King bass, Jim Wade drums | Fisherman’s Cottage, Kennet Side RG1 3DW | Music from 8pm | Free entry, donations welcomed | Every fourth Thursday: next date 11 June
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
Caversham Cats and Friends | Wokingham
Mary Bourne vocals | Jonathan Bowring tenor sax
Roger Proctor piano | Todd Brown bass | Mike Goff drums
Bracknell Jazz Presents the ALISON RAYNER QUINTET
Fri 15 May 2026 | Alison Rayner double bass, Buster Birch drums / percussion,
Deirdre Cartwright guitar, Diane McLoughlin saxophones, Steve Lodder,piano | South Hill Park Arts Centre, Ringmead, Bracknell RG12 7PA | Music 19:30-21:50 | Tickets; £19.00. Under 18 £8.50. Concessions for disabled and carer. 01344 484123
Jazz Evening | Berkshire Ballroom
Sat 16 May 2026 | Join Rick Westoby Jazz Quartet for a fabulous evening of live jazz music | Rick Westoby, sax, Richie Fraser, piano, Marc Worsfold, bass, Mike O’Riley, drums | Berkshire Ballroom, Kings Academy Easthampstead Park, Ringmead, Bracknell RG12 8FS | from 7pm | £5 per person
Michael Wilkins Quartet | Windsor Jazz Club
Sun 17 May 2026 | Prodigious multi-saxophonist and regular soloist on the club and big band circuit | Michael Wilkins Saxophones, Steve Kershaw Double Bass, Mike Goff Drums, Tom Neill Piano | Windsor Jazz Club, at The Hope, 7 Ward Royal Parade, Alma Road, Windsor SL4 3HR | Doors 7.30pm | Music 8 – 10pm | £5 – £10 in advance (no booking fees) | For further information and tickets please visit https://windsorjazzclub.uk/
Pete Billington Trio | North Moreton
Mention ‘Jazz in Reading’ when booking
for a special cash price of £20!
Guildford Jazz at The Guildford Cricket Pavilion | Denys Baptiste and Tony Kofi
Thurs 21 May | Guildford Jazz at The Guildford Cricket Pavilion | Denys Baptiste and Tony Kofi | Guildford Pavilion, Woodbridge Rd GU1 4RP | Jazz from 20.00 to 22.15| Tickets £20 (Discounts for Members and Students) from here
Two of the UK’s most acclaimed saxophonists, Denys Baptiste and Tony Kofi celebrate one of the most iconic front-line partnerships in jazz history: Julian “Cannonball” Adderley and John Coltrane. Steeped in the Coltrane tradition, tenor saxophonist Baptiste’s playing combines technical authority with emotional depth while Tony Kofi, one of the UK’s finest alto saxophonists, is renowned for his powerful sound, fearless improvisation, and deep-rooted connection to the jazz tradition. With Bruno Heinen (pno), Mikele Montoli (bs) and Winston Clifford (dr).
The Supertonics Big Band, with Sarah Jane Eveleigh | Carnation Hall, Bracknell
Sat 23 May 2026 | Popular 17-piece big band, featuring guest singer Sarah
Jane Eveleigh, playing an entertaining mix of high-energy swing, jazz, and
standards | Carnation Hall, Winkfield Row, Bracknell RG42 7PA | Doors 7pm |
Music 7.30pm to 10pm | Seating around tables, bring your own food & drink |
Tickets £15, reserve in advance via davidbennett470@gmail.com or
07739-314261 or www.thesupertonics.co.uk
Laurence Cottle Quartet | Pangbourne Jazz Club 10th Anniversary Concert
Sun 24 May 2026 with Laurence Cottle (bass), Jim Watson (piano), Joel Barford (drums) and Paul Booth (Saxophone), at Pangbourne WMC, Rosewood Hall, 1 Whitchurch Road, Pangbourne, RG8 7BS | Doors 645pm | Music 730pm – 10pm | Advance Online Tickets £14 (+ £1.65 booking fees) £14 Cash or card on the door | For further information and tickets
Fapy Lafertin & Tcha Limberger Gypsy Jazz Quartet | The Crooked Billet, Stoke Row
Tues 26 May 2026 | Fapy Lafertin & Tcha Limberger Gypsy Jazz Quartet | Belgian Manouche, Romani Gypsies. The real deal, stars of the genre | The Crooked Billet, Newlands Ln, Stoke Row RG9 5PU | Arrive 7pm latest, music from 8:30 PM | £40 music cover | Full details and tickets here or call us on 01491 681048
Dinner Jazz at The Angel | Ewen Baird and Friends
S
at 30 May 2026 | P’Jam | Ewen Baird tenor sax, Andy Sturmey piano, Jamie Howell bass, Jim Wade drums | The Angel, Woolhampton RG7 5RT | Music from 8pm | Free entry. Call 0118 971 3827 to make dinner reservations.
Saxophonist and bandleader Ewen 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.
