Gigs


Crowmarsh Jazz Club | Rebecca Poole Quartet

Sat 20 Apr | Rebecca Poole Quartet | Rebecca Poole vocals, Stuart Henderson trumpet, Hugh Turner guitar, Raph Mizraki double bass | Crowmarsh Jazz Club, Crowmarsh Village Hall, Benson Lane, Crowmarsh Gifford, OX10 8ED | Bar and pizza available | Doors 6.45pm, show 7.30pm | £15 (£5 for Care workers & people on benefits): https://crowmarshjazz.co.uk


Guildford Jazz at the Cricket Pavilion


Thu 18 Apr | Guildford Jazz at the Cricket Pavilion | Denny Ilett & The Chris Ingham Trio| 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

Remarkably versatile guitarist/singer, encompassing swing, bebop, blues, rock and everything between, Denny is equally acclaimed for his thrilling guitar playing, smooth vocalising and appearances at Ronnie Scott’s fronting his jazz salute to Jimi Hendrix with the Electric Lady Big Band. With the Chris Ingham on piano, George Double on drums and Marianne WIndham on bass. “A knock-out player… soulful and jazz-tinged” Guitarist “Comprehensive mastery of the guitar” The Whitman Review


Marlow Jazz Club | Tribute to Louis Armstrong & Frank Sinatra

Tues 16 Apr | Marlow Jazz Club | The Enrico Tomasso & Denny Ilett Quintet’s ‘Tribute to Louis Armstrong & Frank Sinatra’ | Enrico Tomasso trumpet & vocal, Denny Ilett guitar & vocal, Peter Billington piano, Andy Crowdy bass, Alex Goodyear drums | Royal British Legion Hall SL7 1NT | 8.30pm | £10 | Exciting new band that looks like being a big success | Advance reservation advised – phone 01628 486571


Aret Komlosy/Hugh Turner Duo | Abingdon

Sat 13 Apr | Aret Komlosy/Hugh Turner Duo | The Waggon & Horses, Southmoor, Abingdon OX13 5BG | 8 -10pm | Free entry


Fleur Stevenson Trio | Hook

Sat 13 April | Fleur Stevenson Trio, Black Cat Jazz Club, Hook | Fleur Stevenson vocals, Jez Cook guitar, Pete Maxfield double bass | Andwell Restaurant at Andwell Brewery | 8.00 pm | Tickets: £12.50 https://www.andwells.com/


Goring Community Jazz Club | The New Jazz Sextet

Fri 12 Apr | The New Jazz Sextet featuring Andy Townsend, trumpet, Ewen Baird, saxophone, Ross Law, trombone, 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.


Guildford Jazz at the Stoke


Fri 12 Apr | Guildford Jazz at the Stoke| Jim Mullen Organ Trio| 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

Jim Mullen is widely regarded as one of the finest jazz guitarists in Europe. He made his name playing with a number of bands through the 70’s and 80’s including Brian Auger’s “Oblivion Express”, and his own highly acclaimed band “Morrissey-Mullen”.  The band he leads this evening features the classic Organ trio format with Ross Stanley on organ and Tristan Maillot on drums, performing a set of originals and jazz standards.  “One of the great Jazz guitarists working today” Jazzwise; “World Class” Guardian


Hugh Turner Trio | Burford

Thurs 11 Apr |  Hugh Turner Trio | Jazz , funk , swing from guitarist Hugh Turner with Jerry Soffe electric bass, Steve Wyndam drums | The Cotswold Merrymouth Inn, Burford | 8pm | £14.50


Aret Komlosy/Hugh Turner/Ollie Weston Trio | Oxford

Sun 7 Apr | Aret Komlosy/Hugh Turner/Ollie Weston Trio | Great jazz singer Aret accompanied by guitarist Hugh Turner and great sax man Ollie Weston | Joe’s Bar and Grill, Summertown, Oxford | 7-9pm | Free


Blue Magoo | Henley


Fri 5 Apr | Blue Magoo | Magoos, 22 Hart Street, Henley-On-Thames, RG9 2AU | 7.30 – 9.30pm | Free entry.

Following on from their packed out gig at Magoos in December, this unique, fun, upbeat eight piece band will be playing there again with a heady mix of Jazz, Latin, Calypso, Funk and more. It’s a free gig and a great way to start your weekend!


Jazz at The Hope and Anchor, Wokingham | Argo Jazz


Fri 5 Apr | Argo Jazz | John Harries sax, Alan Barwise drums, John Miller guitar, Rick Westoby keyboards, Paul Critchfield bass and vocals | Hope & Anchor, Station Rd, Wokingham RG40 2AD | 7 – 9pm | Free entry

Argo Jazz is an exciting and entertaining group with a sound combining sublety, energy, variety and expression. The band offers an eclectic  mix of jazz, blues, and songs from across the decades. Songs written in the 1930’s find a home alongside much more recent compositions.


Guildford Jazz at the Cricket Pavilion


Wed 3 Apr | Guildford Jazz at the Cricket Pavilion | Vasilis Xenopoulos & Paul Edis | 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

Vasilis Xenopoulos and Paul Edis began playing together 20 years ago. In the intervening years they’ve played numerous gigs together, releasing their first album, A Narrow Escape, in 2016 to critical acclaim. Their latest recording ‘Feels Like Home’ features original music inspired by the many places they’ve called home over the years. Released on April 19th on the Ubuntu label.  Vasilis Xenopoulos – tenor saxophone, Paul Edis – piano with Joel Barford on drums, Marianne Windham on bass


Graeme Hewitt’s High Society Jazz Band | Theale


Jazz at The Four Horseshoes | Sherfield-on-Loddon

Tues 2 Apr | Equinox Quintet with Jonny Ford | Jonny Ford sax, 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)


Jazz at the Hope & Anchor | P’Jam


Sun 31 Mar | P’Jam | Annie Parker flutes, Phil Craddock piano, Phil Berry bass, Jim Wade drums | Hope & Anchor, Station Rd, Wokingham RG40 2AD | 7 – 9pm | Free entry | Photo by Steve Foster – @jazzshot on Instagram

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!


Dinner Jazz at The Angel | P’Jam


© Martin Breschinski

Sat 30 Mar | P’Jam
 | Annie Parker flutes, Phil Craddock piano, Marianne Windham bass, Jim Wade drums | The Angel, Woolhampton RG7 5RT | Music from 8pm | Free entry. Call 0118 971 3827 to make dinner reservations

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!


Cafe Zazous Gypsy Jazz | Lyndhurst Arms Reading

Good Friday 29 March| Cafe Zazous Hot Club gypsy jazz quintet | HB more guitar, David Stamper guitar, Phil Berry double bass, David Ahmed guitar, Frank Biddulph violin | The Lyndhurst Arms, Reading | 1pm till 3pm | Donations gratefully received and Balboa dancers welcome!


Bracknell Jazz | Nat Steele

Fri 29 Mar | Bracknell Jazz | Nat Steele – vibraphone 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


Duncan Lamont Jr, Jenny Howe | Bourne End

Thurs 28 Mar | Duncan Lamont Jr – Reeds, Jenny Howe – Vocals, backed by The Martin Hart Trio.   8:00, £10 | The Hedsor Social Club, Hedsor Rd, Bourne End, Bucks. SL8 5ES.  Please check https://jazzfromgeoff.blogspot.com for line-up changes, etc.


Jazz Singers’ Night In Reading

Wed 27 March | Jazz Singers’ Night In Reading | Fleur Stevenson host with house band | The Lyndhurst, 88 Queens Rd, Reading RG1 4DG | 8.00 pm | Every fourth Wednesday of the month | Free admission


Jazz at The Fisherman’s Cottage | John Harries | Sarah Jane Weston

Tues 26 Mar | Jazz at The Fisherman’s Cottage | John Harries tenor sax, Phil Craddock piano, Phil Berry bass, Jim Wade drums plus special set teaturing Sarah Jane Weston vocals/piano | Fisherman’s Cottage, Kennet Side RG1 3DW | Music from 8pm | Free entry, donations welcomed.

Every fourth Tuesday: next date 23 April

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



Barb Jungr sings Bob Dylan | Dorchester on Thames

Sun 24 March | Snug Sessions at Bishop’s Court Farm, in conjunction with Hampstead Jazz Club: Barb Jungr sings Bob Dylan | Barb Jungr vocals, Simon Wallace piano, Davide Mantovani bass | Bishop’s Court Farm, 91 High St, Dorchester on Thames OX10 7HP | Doors: 6pm. Show: 7-9pm | £23 (+ booking fee) | Tickets

 


Jazz at Progress | Arbenz + Hart + Pursglove = ‘Conversation’


Fri 22 Mar – Arbenz + Hart + Pursglove = ‘Conversation’ – Florian Arbenz drums, percussion, Jim Hart vibraphone, percussion, Percy Pursglove trumpet/flugelhorn | Progress Theatre, The Mount, Reading RG1 5HL | 7: 30pm | £19.00 (£17.00 concessions, £10 under 16) plus maximum 5% booking fee | Details


Sam Braysher Plays Kurt Weill | Guildford


Thu 21 Mar | Guildford Jazz at the Cricket Pavilion | Sam Braysher Plays Kurt Weill | 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

Sam Braysher’s new project explores the work of Kurt Weill, a fascinating composer who lies at the intersection of European classical music, jazz, opera and American musical theatre. Although best known for songs such as “Mack The Knife” and “September Song”, Braysher looks at some of Weill’s lesser known pieces from the swirling harmonies of his Weimar-era early work with Bertolt Brecht, to his more jazz-adjacent American period.  With Hungarian pianist Matyas Gayer, drummer Steve Brown and Marianne Windham on bass.


Ben Cummings, Ollie Weston | Bourne End

Thurs 21 Mar | Ben Cummings – Trumpet, Ollie Weston – Alto Sax, backed by The Martin Hart Trio.   8:00, £10 | The Hedsor Social Club, Hedsor Rd, Bourne End, Bucks. SL8 5ES.  Please check https://jazzfromgeoff.blogspot.com for line-up changes, etc.


Woodcote Village Hall | The New Jazz Sextet

Sat 16 Mar | The New Jazz Sextet featuring Andy Townsend trumpet, Ewen Baird saxophone, Ross Law trombone, Nick Hill piano, Howard King bass, Mike Goff drums |  Woodcote Village Hall, Reading Rd, Woodcote RG80QY | 7:30pm doors 8pm start | Tickets £12:50  | Bar. Bring your own snacks | Free parking


Art Themen: Thane and the Villeins | Kenton Theatre, Henley

Here’s one not to miss!
Sat 16 Mar 7:30 pm | Kenton Theatre, Henley | Art Themen’s organ trio ‘Thane and the Villeins’ | Details below – and here is a recent review to whet your appetite. | Book here


BEAT at the Boiler Room: Yamäya | Guildford


Fri 15 Mar | BEAT at the Boiler Room | Yamäya | 13 Stoke Fields, Guildford GU1 4LS | Doors open 7.30 pm: Gig times 8.30pm to 10.30pm | Tickets £18 (Discounts for Members and Students) + £1 booking fee from here

Yamäya amalgamate influences from across the great African continent including Afrobeat, Griots and Ethiopiques with dub, hip hop, jazz and beyond. Those rich and intricate grooves are then layered with the inimitable rhythm and harmonic palette of traditional African song and rap. One of the best live bands in Britain delivering powerful original music eclectically drawn from Afrobeat, Ethio-Jazz, Dub, Mbalax, Jazz, and other distinctly UK styles.


Sue Greenway, Mike Wills | Bourne End

Thurs 14 Mar | Sue Greenway and Mike Wills – reeds, backed by The Martin Hart Trio | The Hedsor Social Club, Hedsor Rd, Bourne End, Bucks. SL8 5ES | 8pm, | £10 |  Please check https://jazzfromgeoff.blogspot.com for line-up changes, etc.


Jean Toussaint & Freddie Gavita | Marlow

Tues 12 Mar | Jean Toussaint & Freddie Gavita | Jean Toussaint tenor and soprano, Freddie Gavita trumpet and flugelhorn, Frank Harrison piano, Stuart Barker bass, Elliot Toms drums | Marlow Jazz Club, The Royal British Legion Hall SL7 1NT | 8.30pm | £10

The International star who came to fame in Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, Jean is joined by a regular colleague, the highly acclaimed Freddie. Advance reservation or booking will be essential for this one: please phone 01628 486571 for details or buy tickets here


Jo Harrop ‘Mother’s Day Special’ in conjunction with Hampstead Jazz Club | Bishop’s Court Farm.

Sun 10 Mar | Jazz Soul | Jo Harrop vocals, Paul Edis MD/piano, Jihad Darwish bass, Harry Greene guitar/sax, Peter Adam-Hill drums | Bishop’s Court Farm, Dorchester-on-Thames, OX10 7HP | 7-9pm, Doors from 6pm | £23 | Tickets


Baron Mara | Oxford


Sun 10 Mar | Baron Mara | Jonathan Judge tenor sax, Ruben Berrios keyboard, Howard King bass, Tony Lyons drums | Joe’s Bar & Grill, 260 Banbury Rd, Oxford, OX2 7DX | 7pm | Free entry.


Crowmarsh Jazz Club | The Music of Nancy Wilson and Cannonball Adderley


Sat 9 Mar | The Music of Nancy Wilson and Cannonball Adderley | Ben Cummings trumpet, Ollie Weston sax, Ineza Kerschkamp vocals, Chris Eldred piano, Curtis Ruiz double bass, Clark Tracey drums | Crowmarsh Jazz Club, Crowmarsh Village Hall, Benson Lane, Crowmarsh Gifford, OX10 8ED | Bar and pizza available | Doors 6.45pm, show 7.30pm | £15 (£5 for Care workers & people on benefits): https://crowmarshjazz.co.uk


 Goring Community Jazz Club | Stuart Henderson

Fri 8 Mar | Stuart Henderson trumpet, TBC saxophone, 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.


Johnny Thirkel, Frank Walden | Bourne End

Thurs 7 Mar | Johnny Thirkel – Trumpet, Frank Walden – Reeds, Al Pirrie – Bass, Ken McCarthy – Keyboard, Martin Hart – Drums.  8:00, £10 | The Hedsor Social Club, Hedsor Rd, Bourne End, Bucks. SL8 5ES.  Please check https://jazzfromgeoff.blogspot.com for line-up changes, etc.


Graeme Hewitt’s High Society Jazz Band | Theale


Rob Barron Trio, Leonard Bernstein Reimagined | Guildford


Tues 5 Mar | Guildford Jazz at Surrey University | Rob Barron Trio, Leonard Bernstein Reimagined | Performing Arts Studio, University of Surrey, Stag Hill, Guildford GU2 7XH | Jazz from 8.00 pm | Tickets £20 (Discounts for Students and Members) from here

Leonard Bernstein wrote many songs that have become jazz standards.  Rob devotes the first half to “West Side Story”, whilst the second half captures a wide range of music from Bernstein’s “Candide”, “On The Town”, ‘Wonderful Town”, “A Quiet Place” and more.  With special guest, award winning jazz vocalist Emma Smith who has been making a name for herself as one of as of the finest vocalists to emerge on the London Jazz scene.  With Jeremy Brown on double bass and Josh Morrison on drums.


Pete Allen Jazz Band | Newbury


Bracknell Jazz | Liam Noble and Geoff Simkins

Fri 1 Mar | Bracknell Jazz | Album Tour “Lucy Teeth” duo: Liam Noble – piano, Geoff Simkins – alto sax  | 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


Steve Waterman, The Music of Miles Davis | Cranleigh


Fri 1 Mar | Guildford Jazz at the Cranleigh Arts Centre | Steve Waterman, The Music of Miles Davis | 1 High Street, Cranleigh, GU6 8AS | Jazz from 8.00 pm | Tickets including cheese and wine from £21 (Discounts for members and students) from here

Steve Waterman is one of the most in-demand jazz trumpet players in the UK and in this concert he celebrates the career of Miles Davis. With music from the 1950s album ‘Kind of Blue’ through to ‘Tutu’, one of the last albums Miles recorded, the quartet will focus on Miles’ own compositions. With pieces such as Boplicity from the ‘Birth Of The Cool’ album, music from the collaboration with Gil Evans, ‘Miles Ahead’, as well as pieces from Miles’ recordings during the sixties and seventies.  With Nick Weldon – piano, Marianne Windham – bass, Felix Weldon – drums


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


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 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.


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.


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


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

Full programme here


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

Full programme here


Stan Tracey’s ‘Under Milk Wood’ Jazz Suite | Woodley, Reading

Sat 17 Feb | Stan Tracey’s ‘Under Milk Wood’ Jazz Suite | Details below…


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


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