Jazz in Reading has been promoting live jazz in the Reading and Thames valley area for over fifteen years. It is run by a team of volunteers who wish to share their passion for great live jazz.
Steve Wellings
Steve was the founder of Jazz in Reading, back in 2004, when he kicked off with three years of well-received jazz gigs at the South Street arts centre – the first and last gig there featuring the late great Stan Tracey. Steve still takes a leading role in running Jazz in Reading – when he’s not running his own publishing and e-learning support business – but couldn’t have made it the success it now is without the magnificent help and support of the whole team. Contact: steve@jazzinreading.com
Trevor Bannister
Trevor Bannister developed an ear for jazz as a youngster and was firmly hooked by his mid-teens, buying records, listening to live bands and avidly reading Melody Maker each week. He hopes that his reviews for Jazz in Reading, which first took shape in 2015, continue to express that enthusiasm and capture not just the great music played at each Progress gig, but also something of the venue’s unique atmosphere and character. Contact: trevor@jazzinreading.com
Bob Draper 
A jazz fan from an early age, in 2006 Bob began promoting live jazz at South Hill Park, Bracknell, under the ‘Jazz n Stuff’ banner. He runs various jazz and blues sessions and gigs there, as well as playing blues harmonica with vocals. From autumn 2009 to autumn 2011, he presented a weekly jazz show on UK Jazz Radio. Bob currently holds a weekday jazz jam/workshop and assists in staging the new monthly Bracknell jazz gigs. Bob is delighted to be involved with Jazz in Reading. Contact: bob@jazzinreading.com Photo by Zoë White
Paul Johnson
I was first introduced to trad Jazz in the ‘60’s in London’s 100 Club and Marquee Club, subsequently converted over the years to love mainstream modern jazz. At the start of 2013 I was very happy to join the Jazz in Reading team to help bring high quality modern jazz to town, and I was also able to relieve Steve of the financial and accounting tasks which he had been looking after for many years. Contact: paul@jazzinreading.com
Jim Wade
Jim is a jazz drummer, playing with various local ensembles. After benefitting from Jazz in Reading for several years by virtue of free listings of the regular events he organises at The Angel in Woolhampton and other venues in and around Reading, he thought it was about time he got his finger out to help the cause. Contact: jim@jazzinreading.com
Zoë White
Zoë has been photographing most of the Jazz at Progress evenings since March 2015. Her aim is to capture the spirit of the performance – the joyful, the intense, the serene, and the laughter, as well as the musical interplays amongst the performers. You can find a selection of her photos in the Gallery. She would like to thank the Progress Theatre staff for all of their kind assistance at each of the gigs. Contact: zoe@jazzinreading.com
Nigel Dacombe
RIP
In memory of our dear friend, colleague and jazz aficionado Nigel Dacombe who died in July 2016. Nigel was the first of us to put himself forward and offer to help Steve Wellings organise Jazz in Reading. He compiled single-handedly the gig listings (often by trawling diligently through local band and venue websites) and effectively promoted our shows via press and radio coverage. Nigel’s deep and wide-ranging knowledge of jazz led to his booking a succession of excellent bands. He is sorely missed.
