Our brilliant photographer-in-residence – Zoë White – takes great photos of most of our Jazz at Progress gigs. Specialising in performance and event photography, Zoë has photographed hundreds of performers over the last several years. She’s taken photos of jazz musicians in venues such as Bulls Head, Crazy Coqs, The Hideaway, Jagz, The Pheasantry, The 606, Ronnie Scott’s and Ronnie’s Upstairs. She was the event photographer for the TW12 Jazz Festival in 2014 – 2017 and for Jazz for Kamuli in 2016.
Scroll down the page for a selection of images Zoë has captured for us since March 2015. All photos below are by Zoë unless otherwise stated. Photo captions are by members of the Jazz in Reading team. Copyright notice: Zoë’s images may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed or published without her express permission. To enquire about licensing any of the photos, please contact Zoë directly on zoe@jazzinreading.com
Following Zoë’s photos below there is a selection of images of some of the other great jazz gigs we at Jazz in Reading have put on over the last three years or so, at both Progress Theatre and Reading Town Hall.
Rebecca Poole Quintet | Progress Theatre | 25 May 2018
Martin Speake Trio with Ethan Iverson | Progress Theatre | 27 April 2018
Ethan Iverson piano | Fred Thomas bass | James Maddren drums | Martin Speake alto saxophone
Chris Laurence Quartet | Progress Theatre | 29 March 2018
The phenomenal Chris Laurence Quartet – Chris Laurence on bass, ‘master storyteller’ John Parricelli on guitar, ‘Wizard of the vibes’ Frank Ricotti and ‘marking time’ on drums, the swinging Martin France.
Leon Greening Quartet | Progress Theatre | 2 February 2018
Leon Greening piano | Christian Brewer soprano & alto saxes | Dave Chamberlain double bass | Steve Brown drums
John Law’s Re-Creations | Progress Theatre | 5 January 2018
John Law keyboards | Sam Crockatt tenor and soprano saxes | James Agg bass | Billy Weir drums, percussion
Moscow Drug Club | Progress Theatre | 24 November 2017
Moscow Drug Club – all singing
Katya Gorrie vocals, Jonny Bruce trumpet, Mirek Salmon accordion, Will Edmunds guitar, Andy Crowdy bass
Not just one end-of-gig photo…
… but two!
Tough Tenors Quintet | Progress Theatre | 27 October 2017
The Tough Tenors Quintet in full swing – Gunther Kurmayr (keyboard), Manuel Alvarez (bass), Ray Gelato (tenor saxophone), Alex Garnett (tenor saxophone), Matt Home (drums).
Gunther, Ray, Manuel, Alex, Matt
Manuel & Alex
Gunther, Ray & Manuel
Manuel, Ray, Alex & Matt give us a taste of the blues.
The Tough Tenors Quintet – thanks guys for a great gig!
Alex Hitchcock Quintet | Progress Theatre | 22 September 2017
The leader in action
Will, Joe and Jay lay down the rhythm
Alex and James cut loose
James mesmerises Jay – and the audience!
All together now – (L to R) Will Barry, Alex Hitchcock, James Copus, Joe Downard, and Jay Davis
All smiles after a truly sensational performance and rapturous applause
Two of a Mind | Progress Theatre | 1 September 2017
Two of a Mind: (L to R), Stu Butterfield, Chris Biscoe, Dave Whitford, Allison Neale, Colin Oxley
Biscoe and Neale provide a perfect foil for each other; a civilised, unhurried musical conversation …
… beautifully supported by Stu Butterfield, Dave Whitford and the subtle guitar of Colin Oxley.
Chris Biscoe explores the art of the alto-clarinet to great effect on ‘Stardust’
Like good conversation, there was no telling in which direction the music may lead: you just had to keep listening!
Tom Smith Septet | Progress Theatre | 18 August 2017
All photos courtesy of Colin Swain Photography
The quintet
Olli Martin, Alex Hitchcock and Alistair Martin in perfect harmony
Will Barry, Alex Hitchcock, Conor Chaplin and Alistair Martin
Each a star in his own right – L to R from the top: Olli, Will B, Alex, Alistair, Conor, Tom & Will C
On a high after a terrific gig
Claire Martin with Dave Newton | Progress Theatre | 23 June 2017
Dave Newton, piano and Claire Martin OBE, vocals
Dave acknowledges the audience’s reaction to yet another stunning solo
One of many moments of musical rapport
Claire told us she had a ball – and so did the packed house!
Art Themen’s New Directions Quintet | Progress Theatre | 2 June 2017
Gareth Williams, Arnie Somogyi, Art Themen, Dave Barry and Steve Fishwick
The front line in full flow as Dave Barry follows the chart
A good-lookng bunch
The quintet
Arnie, Art and Steve
They band were happy with the show – and so was the packed house!
Arnie Somogyi’s Jump Monk | Progress Theatre | 7 April 2017
Arnie Somogyi’s Jump Monk Quintet
Clark Tracey drums – Jeremy Price trombone – Mark Edwards keyboard – Tony Kofi sax
Arnie Somogyi, leading from the back
Tony, Clark and Jeremy
The Jump Monk Quintet in action
Arnie’s banner double act – and the quintet all smiles after a great gig
Ian Shaw with Jamie Safir and Mick Hutton | Progress Theatre | 3 March 2017
Jamie Safir, Mick Hutton and Ian Shaw
Mick Hutton, Ian Shaw
Jamie Safir, Mick Hutton
The trio
The magnificent … Ian … Shaw!!
After a great gig
Derek Nash Acoustic Quartet with special guest Martin Shaw | Progress Theatre | 27 Jan 2017
The band L to R: Dave Newton, Derek Nash, Geoff Gascoyne, Martin Shaw and Sebastiaan de Krom
Derek Nash digs Martin Shaw’s playing – dig it?
Sebastiaan de Krom
The front line obviously pleases Geoff Gascoyne
The leader on soprano…
… on tenor…
… and on the mighty baritone.
The now-traditional after-gig photo
Empirical | Progress Theatre | 16 Dec 2016
Lewis Wright-vibes, Tom Farmer-bass, Nathaniel Facey-alto and Shaney Forbes-drums are in the zone
Clapping intro to “The Maze” – a Tom Farmer composition
Lewis and Tom on a wavelength
Shaney and Nathaniel in support
Sharing a joke with the appreciative audience
Empirical – relaxed post gig
Ben Holder Quartet | Progress Theatre | 4 Nov 2016
Paul Jefferies double bass, Ben Holder violin, Dave Wilkes drums, Jez Cook guitar
Ben proudly shows off his dapper spats.
Ben delights the audience with his vocals and piano too!
Ben Holder violin
The band after a truly thrilling performance.
The band after Ben tells a corny joke (it was funny!)
Christian Brewer Quintet | Progress Theatre | 30 Sep 2016
The Quintet
Christian Brewer, Adam King and Damon Brown
Jonathan Gee, Christian Brewer and Adam King
Great rhythm section eye contact during Christian’s solo
Chris Draper
Christian Brewer, Adam King and Damon Brown
Nigel Price Organ Quartet | Progress Theatre | 2 Sep 2016
Nigel Price
The Quartet in full flow : Ross Stanley, Matt Home, Brandon Allen, Nigel Price
Great music – great humour
Ross Stanley and Brandon Allen
All eyes on the leader
Jazz in Reading Founder Steve Wellings proposes a toast to the late Nigel Dacombe prior to a song for Nigel by the band
Another great Jazz at the Progress gig concludes
Glimpses of Jazz for Kamuli | 16 July 2016
Theo Travis’ Double Talk | Progress Theatre | 24 June 2016
Double Talk: From left to right – Mike Outram, Dylan Howe, Theo Travis, Pete Whittaker
Zoë White used in-camera double exposures in a clever take on the group’s name
Clockwise from top left: Theo Travis, Mike Outram, Pete Whittaker, Dylan Howe
Mike Outram and Theo Travis
Double Theo
Double Talk after the rapturous applause died down
Scott Willcox Big Band | Progress Theatre | 27 May 2016
All images for this event © Lee Alexander Photography. Images may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed or published without express permission.
Scott Willcox Big Band
Scott Willcox
Bob McKay and Tony Woods
Eric Ford
Tony Woods
Top row: Michael Garrick, Andy Gibson and Nick Mills. Front row: Duncan Eagles and Julian Costello
David Frankel, Ben Hazleton, Bob McKay and Tony Woods
Scott Willcox Big Band
Georgia Mancio and Quadro | Progress Theatre | 22 April 2016
Georgia Mancio, Frank Harrison and Andy Cleyndert = Quadro
However you looked at it, the enjoyment was clear
On The Things We Did Last Summer, Georgia delivered a brilliant whisting solo
The trio after a super-successful gig
Stuart Henderson / Vasilis Xenopoulos Quintet | Progress Theatre | 24 March 2016
The quintet
The Simon Price Trio
Jez Cook, Vasilis Xenopoulos, Raph Mizraki, Stuart Henderson
Raph Mizraki & Simon Price, the drumming duet
The quintet, hard at work
All smiles after a great gig
Arun Ghosh Quartet | Progress Theatre | 26 February 2016
Arun Ghosh
Liran Donin, Arun Ghosh, Rastko Rasic and Shirley Tetteh
The quartet’s energy perfectly captured
Arun Ghosh, Liran Donin and Rastko Rasic
Arun Ghosh
The quartet
Moscow Drug Club | Progress Theatre | 29 January 2016
Clockwise from top right: Katya Gorrie/Andy Crowdy, Jonny Bruce, Andy Bowen & Mirek Salmon
Left: Katya Gorrie, Andy Crowdy & Mirek Salmon. Right: guess who?
What’s this? Andy Bowen on bass? And Andy Crowdy on … trombone?
The band
Andy Sheppard’s Hotel Bristol | Progress Theatre | 18 December 2015
Andy amuses Mark
Sheppard, Whitlam and Pursglove
The quartet in full flow
Oh my – Percy Pursglove plays flugelhorn, too!
Matt Hopkins at a moment of improvisational inspiration
The band
Darius Brubeck Quartet | Progress Theatre | 20 November 2015
Brubeck, O’Higgins and Ridley
Darius Brubeck
Dave O’Higgins and Wesley Gibbens
Gabriel Garrick’s Expansions Quintet | Progress Theatre | 23 October 2015
The Quintet
Gabriel Garrick and Nigel Price
Nigel Price, Gabriel Garrick and Paul Cavaciuti
The bandleader’s appreciation for another great solo
The Quintet after a hugely well-received performance
Peter King Simon Spillett Quintet | Progress Theatre | 4 September 2015
Peter King Simon Spillett Quintet
John Horler, Peter King and Alec Dankworth
Alec Dankworth, Simon Spillett and Spike Wells
Kairos 4tet | Progress Theatre | 29 May 2015
Art Themen and Karen Sharp with the Simon Price Trio | Progress Theatre | 1 May 2015
Art Themen & Karen Sharp & Simon Price Trio
Art Themen & Karen Sharp
Peter Billington & Andy Crowdy
Art Themen & Karen Sharp & Simon Price Trio
Alex Garnett’s ‘Bunch of Fives’ | Progress Theatre | 2 April 2015
Alex Garnett’s ‘Bunch of Fives’
James Maddren
Brandon Allen
Liam Noble
Mike Janisch
Alex Garnett
Don Weller Quartet | Progress Theatre | 6 March 2015
Don Weller Quartet
Don Weller
Dave Newton & Arnie Somogyi
Dave Barry
Pre-March 2015 gigs at Progress Theatre
and Reading Town Hall
Various photographer credits. Random date order.
Leon Greening Trio | Progress Theatre | June 2015 (OK, it’s not pre-March 2015, but Zoe was on holiday this week!)
The Impossible Gentlemen | Progress Theatre | January 2015
Alan Barnes with the Simon Price Trio | Progress Theatre | December 2013
Roger Beaujolais Quartet | Progress Theatre | March 2014
Damon Brown Quartet | Progress Theatre | October 2012
Ian Shaw solo | Reading Town Hall | April 2013
John Etheridge with the Simon Price Trio | Progress Theatre | June 2012
Gareth Lockrane with the Simon Price Quartet | Progress Theatre | April 2012
Art Themen with the Simon Price Trio | Reading Town Hall | October 2012
Neon Quartet | Progress Theatre | November 2012
Gwilym Simcock solo | Reading Town Hall | May 2013
Gilad Atzmon’s Orient House Ensemble | Progress Theatre | March 2012
Neale Meets Steele | Progress Theatre | September 2013
Quentin Collins Quartet | Progress Theatre | November 2014
Tony Kofi Quartet | Progress Theatre | October 2014
Dave O’Higgins/Geoff Gascoyne Quartet | Progress Theatre | October 2013
Annie Whitehead Experience | Reading Town Hall | June 2013
Louis Moholo-Moholo/Alexander Hawkins Quartet | Progress Theatre | May 2014
Gwyneth Herbert Trio | Progress Theatre | September 2012
Jonathan Gee Trio | Reading Town Hall | November 2012
Simon Allen Quintet | Progress Theatre | March 2014
Simon Spillett’s ‘Standard Miles’ | Progress Theatre | July 2014
Lyric Ensemble | Reading Town Hall | July 2013
Jim Mullen Organ Trio with Dave Lewis | Progress Theatre | September 2014
Zoe Rahman Trio | Reading Town Hall | September 2012
Hugh Turner Quintet feat. Brandon Allen | Progress Theatre | December 2013
Michelson-Morley | Progress Theatre | September 2014
Clark Tracey Quintet | Progress Theatre | January 2014
Byron Wallen with the Progress House Trio | Progress Theatre | May 2013
Steve Waterman Quartet | Progress Theatre | November 2013
Bobby Wellins with the Simon Price Trio | Progress Theatre | May 2013
Troyka | Reading Town Hall | February 2013
Too Cool: The Music of Chet Baker | Reading Town Hall | March 2013
