Diary

A return visit by popular demand of this great band lead by Ron Hills who is considered by jazz fans as one the UK's finest trombonists. 

This swinging, six-piece unit includes some of the Midlands most respected jazz musicians led by the wonderful Ron Hills (trombone), alongside Tony Pipkin (trumpet & flugel horn), Terry Roberts (saxophones).  

In the rhythm section, are club favourites Roy Dutton (drums), Roger Heath (double bass) and Rod Kelly (piano).  Who all pay a respectful tribute to some of greatest icons of 1930's and 40's jazz and popular music, when swing really was king!

The band was formed a few years ago, bringing together five talented musicians from different backgrounds with a common approach to their music - to have fun.
Through appearances in festivals and residencies at several Gloucestershire venues, the band have developed a considerable following. They have made a guest appearance on the hit Channel 4 comedy series “Spaced”, and have also received the prestigious Staffordshire Jazz Society "Band Of The Year award" twice in the last three years!

People are surprised when I tell them I play completely by ear!

Coming from a family of strong musicians, I first started playing the piano when I was six years old. I had classical lessons to the age of twelve (just listening and learning to copy the sounds) and went on to win 'Young Musician Of The Year'.

A few years later, I switched to a teacher that gave me more direction on improvisation, jazz and pop. By the age of eighteen, I'd mastered the art of playing boogie woogie piano - relying on a strong left hand and a quick technique.

Since 2007, I have become one of the resident pianist at Jools Holland's live music venue 'The Jam House' in Birmingham. I'm also very privileged to have performed at some of the countries top music festivals and theatres. I've played at countless weddings and private parties - and even done a few for some celebrities!

This is a hot Dixieland/swing band playing for people who enjoy a hot swinging saxophone, trumpet and trombone driving off a driving bass, drums and piano.

Baby Jools is a jazz drummer and a specialist in the New Orleans style. He has been playing professionally for 7 years all over the UK and Europe. He started to play at the age of 6, accompanying his dad’s records. Being great followers of the music, his mother and father took him to all the jazz events they could. At the age of 17, he joined the Millennium Eagle Jazz Band, before moving on to Jim McIntosh and the Jazzaholics, Max Collie’s Rhythm Aces and the Sheepwash Playboys. Jools also works as a freelance musician and runs his own band, the Baby Jools All Stars.

This rollicking quartet comprises internationally renowned musical couple Jeff and Anne Barnhart on piano, flute and vocals, the UK's most beloved troubadour Tom "Spats" Langham on banjo, guitar and vocals and the Swingin'est drummer in the land, Graham Smith! Their hot jazz and humor is augmented with ragtime, swing tunes, novelty numbers and gorgeous ballads. Always a huge crowd for this one so get here early to avoid disappointment!

Remi Harris is an exciting guitarist from the UK who's unique style draws inspiration from Gypsy Swing, Jazz, Blues, Rock, Electronic and World Music. He has toured worldwide as well as performing at Buckingham Palace, Montreal Jazz Festival, BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall with Jamie Cullum, on BBC 4 Television and live on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 3.​

​"extraordinary musician"
Jamie Cullum, BBC Radio 2
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"astonishing stuff"
Cerys Matthews, BBC Radio 6 Music
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"Brilliant"
Martin Taylor MBE
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"tremendously gifted”
John Etheridge

"Terrific”
The Telegraph
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Primarily self taught with the help of his Dad's guitar magazines and records, Remi started playing at the age of 7, initially inspired by rock and blues guitarists of the 60s and 70s such as Jimi Hendrix, Peter Green and Jimmy Page. In his late teens he developed an interest in jazz music, in particular artists such as Django Reinhardt, Wes Montgomery and Stan Getz. Since then he has been growing a reputation for blending all of his influences into his own individual style of playing.
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"a remarkable musician"
Jazz Journal
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​“seriously good"
thejazzmann.co.uk
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"Fantastic"
BBC Radio 3
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"extraordinary"
R2 Rock'n'Reel Magazine
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"...his choice of repertoire and diverse influences bring something genuinely fresh to the genre..."
Guitarist Magazine Presents Acoustic
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"remarkable"
Total Guitar Magazine
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"The standard of playing is stunning"
Guitar Techniques Magazine
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"Ridiculous is about the only adjective that seems to fit Remi Harris' stupendous acoustic playing"
Acoustic Magazine
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"​an incredible display of melodic improvisation"
Guitarist Magazine
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“Astonishing”
Digby Fairweather (writing in Jazz Rag Magazine)
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"extraordinary guitar improv"

In 2015 Remi was named in The Culture Trip's "10 Young British Jazz Musicians You Should Know"
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In Acoustic Guitar Magazine Remi was selected as one of the five "Acoustic Acts of 2017"

In 2016 Remi was included in the "Top 7 Current Biggest Jazz Talents" by
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In Sept 2015 Remi was selected as 10Radio's Musician Of The Month
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Remi was included in BBC Introducing Hereford & Worcester's Top 3 Success Stories of 2016
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in January 2017 Remi's album "In On the 2" was selected as "Album of the Month" on Longside Radio's The Jazz Hour with Alun Jones
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In the British Jazz Awards Remi has been awarded 2nd place in the Rising Star Category in both 2014 and 2015, while his band came 2nd in the 2015 Small Group Category. In 2014 and 2016 he was also nominated in the Guitar Category.
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Following Remi's May 2015 performance on Jamie Cullum's BBC Radio 2 show live from The Cheltenham Jazz Festival his debut album ''Ninick'' went to number #7 in the iTunes Top Jazz Albums Chart, it peaked at number #6 in Amazon's Best Sellers in Jazz and he went to #28 in that week's "Official Jazz & Blues Albums Chart".

For tickets, see Emma on the desk at Jazz on a Sunday, or send a SAE and cheque made payable to "Jazzamatazz" to Ms E Pearse, 1 Long Close Avenue, Allesley Village, Coventry, CV5 9GH.  (PS Don't forget to specify which concert you want tickets for)

Established itself as one of the most respected and entertaining outfits on the British jazz scene, with their adventurous and eclectic repertoire gaining plaudits wherever they perform. Tad Newton’s Jazzfriends have recently headlined at Upton OnSevern Jazz Festival, Birmingham Jazz Festival, Bromyard Music Festival, Jazz On A Summer’s Day in Blisworth, Wellingborough Jazz Festival, Wantage Jazz Club, Keswick Jazz Festival, Debenham Festival,and recently made three highly successful appearances at The Spice Of Life Jazz Club, one of London’s top jazz venues….and invited back in October 2017 !

Gary Wood [trumpet/flugelhorn/vocals]
Tad Newton [trombone/vocals]
Frank Griffith [clarinet/sax]
Tomas Pedersen [double bass]
Alan Haughton [piano]
Ronnie Fenn [drums]

“BASIN STREET TO BASIE AND BEYOND”
A special concert dedicated to the great jazz influences, composers and players featuring the swinging sounds associated with jazz luminaries such as Louis Armstrong, Kid Ory, Earl Hines, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Benny Goodman, Johnny Hodges, Lester Young, …

“I really enjoyed working with the band, which is uniformly excellent” Simon Spillett, UK jazz star

“These guys really swing.. a great band” Greg Abate, USA jazz star

“Wow!! What a band” Roy Williams, international jazz star

“Great to hear your new band and repertoire …the band goes from strength to strength” Roger Clarke, jazz critic

“Thanks for the gig on Friday .. I really enjoyed playing with the band 'inspirational!'” Susan Greenway, sax star from Texas Jazz Conservatoire

“A pleasure to see and hear your band on Sunday….a first class show” Alan G. Wilson, jazz promoter, Lansdowne Jazz Club, Luton

“Well played music, covering accepted traditional titles into some more swing stuff, all were very fine musicians” Just Jazz Magazine October 2012, reviewing Upton Jazz Festival.

“The band played wonderfully, a most enjoyable session” John Dunleavey, Upton Jazz 2013

“The best performance in my eyes was Tad Newton’s Jazzfriends at “The Lord Clifden”, Birmingham Jazz Festival 2012 Review

“I really enjoyed your session. I love your band and am looking forward to having you back next year” – Pat Holly, Worcester Jazz Club

“Thanks for a memorable lunchtime jazz session- your band is sounding extremely good!” - John Shaw, Gayton Jazz Appreciation Society

“Thoroughly enjoyed your set, especially the superb variety in the programme-a warm hour!” Terry Roper, musician at Upton Festival 2014

“Congratulations on a tremendous gig…it was a pleasure to be there!”- Richard Eaton, Sunday Times journalist, Spice of Life Jazz Club 2013.

The Amy Roberts/Richard Exall Quintet features two of the most exciting and versatile musicians on the jazz scene today. Both multi-instrumentalists, they perform an eclectic range of high octane music on a range of clarinets, saxophones and flute. With inspiration drawn from the all-time heroes of reed players, Amy Roberts and Richard Exall perform well crafted arrangements that pay homage to Johnny Hodges, Lester Young, Earl Bostic, BennyGoodman, Eddie 'Lockjaw" Davis, Cannonball Adderley, Charlie Parker and many more. Together, Richard Exall and Amy Roberts have produced a product that successfully crosses the traditional divides of the jazz world, performing melodic and intricate arrangements that wow audiences and appeal to listeners of all styles of music.

The Quintet were voted "Band of the Year" at the end of 2014 by Rochdale Jazz Society, and have continued to go from strength to strength! One particular highlight was their tour to Sweden which included performances at the Hallevik Jazz Festival to sell out crowds. They will be returning to Hallevik in 2016!!

Amy and Richard have recorded 2 albums together, "Why Not", and most recently, "Hodge-Stic".... Both can be purchased via the CD's page!

The current line-up features...

Amy Roberts - flute, clarinet & alto sax

Richard Exall - clarinet, tenor & alto saxes, vocals, arranger.

Bill Coleman - double bass
David Ferris - piano
Nick Millward - drums

“Whirligig by name and by nature, this recently formed band is a joy to both listen to and play with. Their enthusiasm, endeavour and the excitement they create on the bandstand will, in my opinion as an occasional guest member of the band, take them a long way toward their drive to success. As with many other bands, the Alex Welsh Band are among their influences and inspirations, but with one difference, they play with the fire and drive of their idols, missing in so many other “tribute” bands. I will be happy to play with this band as often as they ask me to" Jim Douglas Banjo and Guitar, Alex Walsh Band 1963-1981

Established nearly twenty years ago, The Martinique Jazz Band fast became one of the top jazz bands on the local scene in the Midlands.  They have played at many of the premier venues both in the UK and on the continent, and played with many of the top stars in jazz.  Their annual German tour has always gone down well with both the musicians and the audiences.  The Band has also played in Fritzels on Bourbon Street in New Orleans during the Jazz and Heritage Festivals.  After being invited to play at one of the Mayors charity presentations, the whole band were declared "Honorary Citizens of New Orleans!".  The Band refuses to be labelled as a "Dixieland" band and they take pride in playing many different styles of jazz, from King Oliver to King of the Swingers, from Beiderbeck to Brubeck, from Louis Armstrong to Louis Prima through to Louis Jordan.
Their musical repertoire is as broad as it is long.  Many of their numbers will be recognised by even non-jazzers but they also continue to play lesser-heard obscurities because of their unique musical value. The play-list includes, Old Classic Jazz, Blues, Show Tunes, Sinatra and some good old swingers but the main aim is to send people home very happy.

A seven piece band playing the old style New Orleans jazz.  Recreating the music of the crescent city, be it a stomp, blues, hymn, spiritual or pop song of the day.  In the style of the late great, Bunk Johnson, George Lewis and Kid Thomas bands.  Our motto is "helping to keep the real jazz alive".  We travel extensively over the UK & Europe playing jazz clubs, theatres, hotels, jazz festivals, church concerts and private engagements.

We offer a choice of band size to suit any occasion. The regular seven piece line up is - Richard Church cornet/trumpet, Dave Vickers trombone, John Scantlebury or Roger Bird clarinet/sax, Barry Grummett piano, Colin Bushell drums, Harry Slater bass and Alan Birkinhead banjo.

ROBIN MASON – clarinet & saxes
JON STONE – trumpet & vocals
RON HILLS – trombone
PETER ROBINSON – banjo & guitar
BOB BOUCHER – bass
JIM HARNEY – drums

This Midlands based band formed over 20 years ago with some members from the Hazel Slade Big Band are sure to give pleasurable entertainment. Their repertoire is vast and varied and they present in a light-hearted fashion with some banter between Jon & Robin. They really are a little big band!

Bev Pegg and his Railroad Skiffle Group. The likely line-up is Bev Pegg - vocal / guitar, Pete Hartley - violin, John O'Connor - double bass and Ken Wright - drums.

Pete Hartley: - Bromsgrove - A wonderful violinist who in between his many gigs is famous for his busking attributes all around the Midlands. He previously played with Jon Hiseman and Barbara Thompson. He won the New Faces TV Show in 1987. He has performed for famous people such as Bill Clinton, Bertie Ahern, Princess Anne, and Joanna Lumley. He also used to play whilst riding a Unicycle, but sticks to two wheels these days.

The formation of Slide By Slide is the brainchild of Kevin Grenfell who has enrolled the musical talents of fellow trombonist Richard Leach, and in the rhythm section a dazzling array of musicianship with Graham Smith on drums, John Fellows on bass and Rod Kelly on piano. The texture and timbre of Kevin and Richard’s individual playing styles give their repertoire a depth and tone that’s sure to please, with titles ranging from the traditional songbook through to the contemporary. Whether dancing, listening or singing along, Slide By Slide has something for everyone.

The Midlands based Millennium Eagle Jazz Band emerged as a direct result of the demise of the very popular Eagle Jazz band in 2005. The Millennium Eagle Jazz Band sports a healthy combination of youth and experience; Pete Brown (trumpet and valve trombone) and Brian Lawrence (bass) were both long serving members of the Eagle Jazz Band after initially forging their musical partnership in the Potteries based Mardi Gras Society Band during the 1970s. Matt Palmer (clarinet & saxes) joined in 2004, having worked extensively with Pete at Alton Towers theme park in Staffordshire. Young Drummer Jack Cotterill has added youthful vigor to the engine room to allow the band to fire on all cylinders when required, along with Chris Etherington (banjo) and Andy Holdorf (trombone).The collective experience amassed by the current line-up includes top UK theme parks, cruise liners, major UK and European Jazz Festivals and Radio and Television broadcasts.

People are surprised when I tell them I play completely by ear!

Coming from a family of strong musicians, I first started playing the piano when I was six years old. I had classical lessons to the age of twelve (just listening and learning to copy the sounds) and went on to win 'Young Musician Of The Year'.

A few years later, I switched to a teacher that gave me more direction on improvisation, jazz and pop. By the age of eighteen, I'd mastered the art of playing boogie woogie piano - relying on a strong left hand and a quick technique.

Since 2007, I have become one of the resident pianist at Jools Holland's live music venue 'The Jam House' in Birmingham. I'm also very privileged to have performed at some of the countries top music festivals and theatres. I've played at countless weddings and private parties - and even done a few for some celebrities!

Scarlette's Serenaders are named after Mike Owen's daughter, their repertoire includes jazz standards, old popular songs, and pretty much any songs they happen to like on the day itself!