Diary

The band has 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 Jazz Friends have recently headlined at Upton On Severn Jazz Festival, Pershore Jazz Festival, Teignmouth Jazz Festival, Birmingham Jazz Festival, Bromyard Music Festival, Jazz On a Summer’s Day in Blisworth, Wellingborough Jazz Festival, Wantage Jazz Club, Olney Jazz Club, Carlton Music Festival and at The Spice of Life Jazz Club, one of London’s top jazz venues. The band comprise of Tad Newton (trombone/vocal), Alan Haughton (piano), Ronnie Fenn (drums), Tomas Pedersen (bass), Mike Wills (reeds) and one of London's top young jazz players as a special guest Lester Brown (trumpet/flugelhorn). This poses to be a fantastic session, one that will be remembered for many weeks to come.

Steve “Big Man“ Clayton was born in Birmingham and is a highly gifted piano player and singer. After finishing his classical studies, he decided to dedicate his musical life to his love of blues piano, and has remained true to himself and blues piano for over 40 years. His own compositions demonstrate his love for this music; a mixture of blues, boogie woogie, gospel and rock and roll, are all available to hear on 11 CD´s.

He presents himself on the stage totally relaxed and with great humour, although from the very first note, the audience realize that Steve “Big Man” Clayton is a very serious artist, an artist of the highest calibre, an artist that is very much keeping the art of blues piano alive and kicking!

The “Big Man” will be accompanied by the wonderful Howard Smith on drums and backing vocals plus the superb upright bass playing of Simon Smith & mind blower Terry Roberts on Sax.

With 40 years of experience as a professional jazz and blues pianist and band leader, John Beckingham has drawn together a group of highly experienced musicians and vocalists from some wonderfully diverse performance backgrounds - from blues, street jazz and traditional jazz to West End musical theatre.They all have in common a passion for the popular music of the 1920s to the early 1950s, including Jazz Standards, Swing, Latin, Blues, The Great American Songbook and the movie & musical theatre numbers of the era. The band consists of John Beckingham: Piano and vocals, Gilly Leeper: Vocals, Phil Probert: Guitar Banjo and vocals, Keith Tolley: Double Bass and vocals, John Caplin: Saxophones and vocals, and Graham Twist: Drums.

Baby Jools is part of the new youth movement in old school New Orleans jazz. The Gloucester musician has spent much of his time as the drummer with Jim McIntosh and Max Collie, but the Jazzaholics have now been together for several years, thereby strengthening his own leadership duties. Baby Jools started playing drums at the age of six, rumbling around to the accompaniment of his father’s record collection. By the age of 17, he’d already joined our locally-based Millennium Eagle Jazz Band. He favours the authentically clunky sound of the 1920s and 30s, emphasising his collection of woodblocks and rolling out a particularly resonant snare and bass drum clatter. The Jazzaholics repertoire differs from most such outfits as they’re very likely to throw in a large shot of rock’n’roll. This club session should certainly guarantee a strutting and spinning Sunday afternoon.

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!
A quartet from the Midlands in the New Orleans style of playing dance hall music which is great for dancing to, as well as listening to.

Formed in 2012 Washington Whirligig has quickly gained an enviable reputation for its versatility and professionalism. Catering for all occasions from birthdays and anniversaries to formal dances and corporate entertainment, they have also taken the jazz club scene by storm, earning praise and gaining great reviews wherever they perform. Playing early New Orleans through to driving mainstream jazz, swing and blues, they have a programme for every occasion. All band members are experienced musicians, respected within the industry, ensuring your event will be a memorable day.

“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, guitar and banjo, Alex Welsh Band, 1963 to 1981. 

Dave Hepworth (clarinet & tenor sax), Andy Bramall (guitar, banjo & vocal), Rob Cotterell (Drums), Liz Hepworth (bass & vocal) & Wil Robinson (trumpet, flugel horn & vocal).

Fret and Fiddle have come a long way since forming in 2001 as a duo making their mark as a tribute to Stephane Grappelli and Django Reinhardt. Since those early days playing at small folk and blues clubs and experimenting with their repertoire, they have enjoyed over a decade of success as a trio, winning awards such as Stafford Jazz Society's “Band of the Year” and producing over four albums of material.

The co-founders of the group, professional violinist Sally Minchin and guitarist Andy Bole, embarked on their project “Grappelli Swing” in 2014 to wide critical acclaim playing as a five-piece line up on their'' UK tour. Now they have added an exciting new dimension to the band and are joined by the phenomenally talented Steve Street on drums, Rich Hughes on piano and Simon Smith on double bass.

Prepare to be dazzled by Fret and Fiddle's show which takes you through the swing music of the 1920's, the blues, americana, folk, gypsy and some foot-tapping fiddle tunes. Come and hear songs from the shows such as “Anything Goes by Cole Porter,” sing along to old hits like “I Can't Give you Anything but Love” and prepare to be dazzled by Andy's greek bouzouki playing! This versatile and entertaining group even throw in a few refreshingly individual songs by the likes of Tom Waits and Leonard Cohen, making certain that there is something in every show to delight everyone in every audience. Fret and Fiddle have just released their new album “J'Attendrai” which has been making waves locally and nationally and their track “Pennies from Heaven” has already been played as part of BBC Introducing on local BBC radio.

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, Benny Goodman, 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.

Lady be Good is an all-female, saxophone-filled jazz band that brings a touch of class to your event. Think classic swing and jazz from the likes of the Rat Pack, Julie London, Nina Simon and Peggy Lee, plus more modern numbers with our unique twist.

With lush vocals from alongside the soothing tones of the saxes, plus a guest male singer for duets if the occasion calls for it, and a very funky upright bass you've probably never seen or heard anything like Lady Be Good before.

Perfect music to get your guests up on the dancefloor and keep them there, without overpowering those who just want to sit and tap their feet at the back.

Cool Jazz Collective are a creative jazz ensemble featuring the sultry vocals of Elaine Hatton and expert piano accompaniment from Neil Riches.

Sarah relocated back to the UK in January of 2017 and has been continuing to lead her ‘Sarah Spencer’s Transatlantic Band’ on both sides of the Atlantic, in Europe and in the USA. She has also joined the long-established, Bob Dwyer’s Bix and Pieces band and is the other member of the front line of Mike Owen’s exciting and wonderful Scarlette’s Serenaders, which also performs internationally. In addition to these, she is guesting with many other bands all across the UK and Europe.

Sarah Spencer's Transatlantic Band performs powerful New Orleans jazz in the tradition of the great Revival. Drawing influence from bands of that era, as well as taking influence from more modern New Orleans music, blues, rhythm and blues and the greats of all eras of Jazz and Blues; like Henry 'Red' Allen, Louis Armstrong, Kid Ory, Jelly Roll Morton, Big Bill Broonzy, Lonnie Johnson, Louis Jordan, Louis Prima and countless others.

Personnel of the Transatlantic Band are Sarah Spencer (reeds and vocals), Chez Chesterman (trumpet and vocals), Mike Owen (trombone and vocals), Spats Langham (banjo, guitar and vocals), Tony Sharpe (string bass) and Jools Aldridge (drums).

Kevin Grenfell (Trombone) is a first-class trombonist with a great sense of humour. He has put together a fine band, including guest stars Paul Harrison (Reeds) & Phil Nice (Keyboards), both from Denmark.

Kevin has played with both these musicians many times both in Denmark & the UK. The band is completed by Simon Smith (Double bass), and Mike Cyper (Drums).

The Jerbena Jazz Band is a traditional jazz band from the Netherlands that has dedicated itself to the "Frisco" style from San Francisco.

This Midlands based band was formed over 20 years ago with some members from the Hazel Slade Big Band. They always promise to please the audience with some fabulous numbers from a varied repertoire. Presented in a light hearted fashion with some banter between Jon & Robin. They really are a little big band! Tunes from W C Handy, The Ellington Orchestra, Dizzy Gillespie, Django Reinhardt to name just a few.

As the band name suggests, this band don’t ‘alf swing! One of the clubs favourites.

Thrill to the comedic antics of early film comedy stars, including Laurel and Hardy, Buster Keaton and Harold Lloyd in an entertaining session of mirth and music for the entire family.

Few people have experienced the art form that ushered in the movie industry that we now take for granted.  The silent film era lasted from 1895 to 1927. A silent film was without synchronized recorded sound or spoken dialogue.  In silent films the dialogue is transmitted through muted gestures, mime and title cards with a written indication of the plot or key dialogue. This is a unique opportunity for movie fans of all ages to experience vintage entertainment and learn more about the genre. Car chases, stunts, suspense and romance await you as Jeff weaves his musical magic from scene to scene.  An unforgettable session of education, entertainment and above all, LAUGHTER!

Hot Fingers welcomes you to an eclectic mix of vintage acoustic music. As well as the red hot jazz of 1920’s New York, there will be sophisticated 1930’s Swing. The band re-create the ‘French Coffee House’ sound of the king of gypsy swing Django Reinhardt, the blues guitars of Eddie Lang and Lonnie Johnson, and the syncopated Latin rhythms of Argentinean Oscar Aleman, this is mixed with vocals from the song-writing greats, crooners such as Bing Crosby and Al Bowlly, and hokem from the likes of Cliff ‘Ukulele Ike’ Edwards.  From Jump-Jive to swing, from the Charleston to Bossa-Nova, Hot Finger’s wide range of styles and rhythms makes them popular with both sit-down audiences and dancers alike. The band comprises Spats Langham (banjo, guitar, ukulele), Danny Blyth (bass clarinet, guitar) and Malcolm Sked (sousaphone, double bass). They will be joined by the superb vocalist Emily Campbell who adds a touch of class with her plaintive vocals, drawing inspiration from the likes of Peggy Lee and Ella Fitzgerald.

Roy Forbes is a Jazz/Soul Singer based in the West Midlands region of the United Kingdom. For many years he was the singer with Jamaican saxophonist Andy Hamilton and his band the Blue Notes. Roy sang on their album entitled "Jamaica By Night".

Since leaving to pursue his own career, he has produced three albums "Going Home","Telma" and "Last Orders" you can buy album's at his forthcoming gigs.

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.

Bob Caldwell started up the band Jazz Sans Frontieres many years ago, originally a trio/quartet for weddings & other special events. However, that band of musicians expanded into a five-piece, and recently the six-piece you will hear performing for our club.

The style, though basically traditional, can deliver a few surprises in terms of styles. Besides Bob on saxophones & clarinet, Dave Leithead is on trumpet, Avo Avison on trombone. Phil Probert and Steve Nutter, banjo/guitar and bass/tuba respectively, are reinforced by the wonderful Keith Chaplin on drums. The whole ensemble will be enlivened by the delightful singing of Emily Campbell “on loan” from Spats Langham.

Jazz Samba, the iconic album by tenor saxophonist Stan Getz and guitarist Charlie Byrd became a worldwide sensation in 1962. The music was inspired by the new sound of bossa nova, which Charlie Byrd had only recently discovered while on a tour of Brazil in 1961.

The Richard Exall Quartet brings together some of the UK’s finest exponents of the genre to bring the sounds of Stan Getz and Charlie Byrd back to life.

The varied and exciting programme also consists of favourites from Getz Au Go Go and The Cool Sound of Stan Getz, making the most of Stan Getz’s reputation for beautiful ballads and rip-roaring swing standards, of which he was famous.

Richard Exall (tenor saxophone), Denny Illett Jnr (guitar), Clarke Tracey (drums) and     Dave Green (double bass).

The Tierra Buena Traditional Jazz Band has been entertaining audiences in Coventry and Warwickshire every week for nearly sixty years! This six-piece band started playing Traditional/Dixieland/New Orleans Jazz in 1958 at The Pilot Hotel, Radford, just as the 'Trad Boom' started (band and audience were both very young back then!). Several years at The Pilot were followed by years at The Cottage, Earlsdon, then other residencies at pubs and clubs in Coventry and in Warwickshire, and more recently ten years at The Cocked Hat, Binley. Almost always it has been on Monday nights, and most remarkably half of the current band have been playing since the earliest days. The band has increased its expertise and its repertoire with the years, yet kept its enthusiasm and stayed true to its jazz idiom.

Gary Grace is a professional swing vocalist, performing songs associated with great swing singers like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Tony Bennett, Matt Monro, Michael Buble etc.

Gary usually performs with a swing band of various sizes, anything from a trio to an 8-piece line-up and occasionally appear as a big band singer, fronting some of the UK’s top 17-piece outfits.

You can see Gary as a wedding singer, at private or corporate events, as well as aboard cruise liners and even occasionally be seen in my own theatre shows around the UK including jazz venues where I am one of the few male jazz singers on the UK circuit.

Today, Gary makes his first appearance at Jazzamatazz, so let’s all have a Summer Swing with Gary Grace!

The Dragons started life as Johnny Everett’s Red Dragons. Since the very sad passing of John, Barbara, his late wife has kept his memory alive in the music he played and loved.

There are four original members of the Dragon Band; John Bodenham (clarinet & soprano sax) who started his jazz career 60 years ago with the Side Stream Jazzband. Ron Smith (drums) who has comprehensive drumming experience, he came to jazz late, after playing Country & Western and Rock’n’Roll.   He has played alongside Jazz Salon Rouge and The Allsorts in the past.  Permanently at his side in the band is Mark Johnson (double bass & sousaphone). Other regulars are Dave Deakin (trombone) who started his musical career in silver bands; he joined the Dragons in 2012.  The two ‘new boys’ are the enthusiastic Peter Roberts (banjo), who has played banjo and sung in folk and jazz groups since the '60's with many bands, including Jazz Salon Rouge & Dene River Jazzmen.  John Stone (trumpet) joined the Dragons after supporting Johnny through his illness. Ex- Denise Lawrence’s Storeyville Tickle, he’s been a muso on trumpet and bass for 67 years.

The style of the band is best described as Dixieland. There are items from the ‘Trad’ repertoire but their developing repertoire also features some more unusual items from the Golden Era of jazz.

The Dart Valley Stompers was formed in 2005 with the aim of playing lively and exciting Traditional & New Orleans jazz and features award winning reedsman Jeremy Huggett on Clarinet, Saxophones & Vocals. Since its formation the band has proved to be very successful and has built up a strong following with audiences up and down the country. Based in the South West, The Dart Valley Stompers is one of the most popular and busiest bands in the country. They regularly perform to capacity crowds at Jazz Clubs and Festivals both in the UK and abroad with demands from audiences and promoters that they quickly make a return visit!

The band play a repertoire firmly rooted in Traditional & New Orleans jazz, The Dart Valley Stompers is guaranteed to get your feet tapping and stomping – this is definitely a band not to be missed! Jeremy Huggett – Clarinet, Saxes & Vocals, Graham Trevarton – Trumpet & Vocals, Kevin Grenfell – Trombone & Vocals, Howard Williams – Banjo & Guitar, Keith Tolley – Double Bass, Chris Stockings – Drums.

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!

Baby Jools is part of the new youth movement in old school New Orleans jazz. The Gloucester musician has spent much of his time as the drummer with Jim McIntosh and Max Collie, but the Jazzaholics have now been together for several years, thereby strengthening his own leadership duties. Baby Jools started playing drums at the age of six, rumbling around to the accompaniment of his father’s record collection. By the age of 17, he’d already joined our locally-based Millennium Eagle Jazz Band. He favours the authentically clunky sound of the 1920s and 30s, emphasising his collection of woodblocks and rolling out a particularly resonant snare and bass drum clatter. The Jazzaholics repertoire differs from most such outfits as they’re very likely to throw in a large shot of rock’n’roll. This club session should certainly guarantee a strutting and spinning Sunday afternoon.

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.

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).

This highly popular and talented band is comprised of leading musicians in their field each of whom have a long standing history of playing traditional and popular jazz.

With a high standard of musicianship and a touch of humour the band will provide first class entertainment. Their music is drawn mainly from popular composers and date from a period of between 1900 and 1950 in a Traditional style along with numbers from the swing era including Sinatra type compositions. The band is West Midlands / Shropshire based and covers adjacent counties that include Worcestershire, Staffordshire Herefordshire and Warwickshire with occasional excursions further afield.

Last year’s session of Sweet and Hot went down a storm, so it was a no-brainer when Jeff & Anne approached the club for a re-booking in this year’s programme. We are always pleased to give Jeff & Anne Barnhart a warm welcome to our club and we look forward to an eclectic mixture of fantastic jazz, a huge dose of humour and an inexhaustible supply of historical chat and anecdotes.

The band as before will feature Jeff Barnhart on piano, Anne Barnhart on flute and vocals, Graham Smith on the vintage drum kit and Tom ‘Spats’ Langham on banjo and guitar.

Coming from a family of strong musicians, Carl first started playing the piano when he was six years old. He 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, he switched to a teacher that gave more direction on improvisation, jazz and pop. By the age of eighteen, he'd mastered the art of playing boogie-woogie piano - relying on a strong left hand and a quick technique. Since 2007, he has become one of the resident pianist at Jools Holland's live music venue 'The Jam House' in Birmingham. But he’s also very privileged to have performed at some of the country’s top music festivals and theatres and at countless weddings/private parties - and even done a few for some celebrities!

One of our club favourite acts, Carl Sinclair (piano) will make a return visit to us alongside Howard Smith on Drums.

The Jake Leg Jug Band bring you the authentic sounds of 1920's and 30's America - Jazz, Blues, Gospel, Ragtime - and put their own twist on it. Songs of murder, betrayal, gambling, liquor and redemption. Signing to one of the UK's most prestigious Jazz labels ‘Lake Records’ they recorded albums as part of the 'Vintage Recording Project' essentially recording all live around ribbon microphones, as it would have been back in the 1930’s.  Four albums released in five years; ‘Cotton Mouth’, ‘Next Stop!’ ‘Everythin's Jake’ and ‘Break a Leg’ all met with rave reviews; "A masterpiece of nostalgic music. The band display real virtuosity and create a wonderful sound that will be hard for any other band to repeat" Folk North West. "Expert musicianship and great arrangements....highly recommended"  Just Jazz. "Instrumental virtuosity. Very enjoyable, very listenable" Blues & Rhythm, "A wonderful album. Expert musicianship and superb arrangements" Fatea. "Good time music from a good-time group"  The Jazz Rag. The line-up is: Duncan Wilcox (Vocals & Double Bass), Neil Hulse (Vocals & Guitar), Liam Ward (Vocals, Harmonica & Jug), Bryony-Rose (Vocals & Washboard) & Toby Wilson (Vocals, Banjo & Dobro).

The Mercia Jazz Five began life in 1984.  It was started by a group of jazzmen who had previously played mainly traditional jazz, but who had always enjoyed, appreciated and wanted to play music from the swing era.

The band in the past had usually consisted of trumpet, saxes & clarinet, guitar, double bass and drums but has at times also included trombone or piano.

The numbers that the band play have been taken from mainly the repertoires of bands such as Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Benny Goodman, Woody Herman and the small groups drawn from these bands, featuring players such as Lester Young, Johnny Hodges, Buck Clayton, Cootie Williams, Harry Edison, Coleman Hawkins, Ben Webster & Gene Krupa.

This quintet has been fortunate enough to play as a resident band every second Tuesday of every month at the Bournville Social Club and every third Wednesday of the month at the Trumpet, High St. Bilston. Next week they adorn our stage; we look forward to welcoming them.

The Dart Valley Stompers was formed in 2005 with the aim of playing lively and exciting Traditional & New Orleans jazz and features award winning reedsman Jeremy Huggett on Clarinet, Saxophones & Vocals. Since its formation the band has proved to be very successful and has built up a strong following with audiences up and down the country. Based in the South West, The Dart Valley Stompers is one of the most popular and busiest bands in the country. They regularly perform to capacity crowds at Jazz Clubs and Festivals both in the UK and abroad with demands from audiences and promoters that they quickly make a return visit!

The band play a repertoire firmly rooted in Traditional & New Orleans jazz, The Dart Valley Stompers is guaranteed to get your feet tapping and stomping – this is definitely a band not to be missed! Jeremy Huggett – Clarinet, Saxes & Vocals, Graham Trevarton – Trumpet & Vocals, Kevin Grenfell – Trombone & Vocals, Howard Williams – Banjo & Guitar, Keith Tolley – Double Bass, Chris Stockings – Drums.

The Eagle Jazz Band founded in 1951 delighted audiences worldwide for an amazing fifty-four years, one of the oldest formed bands in the UK. The band sports a healthy combination of youth and experience, Pete Brown (trumpet cornet and valve trombone) and Brian Lawrence (Bass and Sousaphone) were both long serving members of the original 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. Drummer Tim Jones has added vigour to the engine room to allow the band to fire on all cylinders when required, along with Brian Mellor (banjo and guitar) and Terry Williams (trombone drums vibes).

The collective experience amassed by the current line-up includes top UK theme parks, river cruises cruise liners, major UK and European Jazz Festivals and Radio and Television broadcasts. The wide repertoire is drawn from popular songs from the 1920s, 30s, and 40s; Classic Jazz compositions by King Oliver, Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton Sydney Bechet and Duke Ellington plus New Orleans Marches, Rags, Stomps, Blues, Swing and instrumental features. Whatever we play, the major priority is to entertain the audience but to always maintain a high standard of musicianship and presentation.

UK born and bred Wendy Kirkland is a world class jazz pianist and vocalist. Her debut album 'Piano Divas' made such an impact when it was released in March 2017 that it was immediately snapped up for distribution by Discovery Records. It also made the Album of the Week slot twice in one year on The Jazz UK radio, shortly followed by overwhelming critical acclaim from the national mainstream and jazz press. More airplay of the album followed on Clare Teal's Radio 2 show, Alyn Shipton's Jazz Record Requests on Radio 3, Helen Mayhew's shows on JazzFM and latterly BBC Radio Scotland by Clare Teal's Scottish counterpart Seonaid Aitken. All have noted her swinging style, equally as adept with the Great American Songbook as with Brazilian bossa nova and her own original songs.  Described as "the unsung heroine of British Jazz" by esteemed jazz critic Ian Mann and "mellow and stylish" by Clive Davis of the Sunday Times, Wendy will be performing songs from her album which contains fresh arrangements of songs made famous by jazzwomen who started out as pianists then learned to serenade the audience too, as Wendy has done. These include Diana Krall, Eliane Elias, Shirley Horn, Nina Simone and Blossom Dearie. Wendy tells the story of these women and how they inspired her to strive to become the UK's leading exponent of jazz piano and voice, with equal merit in both. Wendy is joined by a band who have performed with the UK's top jazz players as well as US stars such as Darius Brubeck. Pat Sprakes (guitar), Paul Jefferies (double bass) and Steve Wyndham (drums).

The Savannah Jazz Band is as much a musicians' band as it is a magnet for its impressive number of loyal fans. Over the years the band has enjoyed playing with some very fine and talented musicians and the genuine admiration that exists between Savannah and the many guests who have joined them is mutual. The band has a varied and ever changing program, and is constantly adding new numbers to their extremely wide repertoire. The Savannah Jazz Band is never predictable! There is never a shortage of fun, excitement and raw good music whenever the Savannah Jazz Band takes the stage. The Savannah is one of the most popular UK bands around, with their talent for satisfying listeners and dancers alike they have built up a truly international reputation at major festivals in the UK and overseas.

The band's driving and exciting New Orleans style attracts large audiences whenever they play. Their many fans follow them from festival to festival and turn out devotedly to see them at regular venues in the UK. This tremendous support is very much appreciated by the band. They have graced the stage in Holland, Germany, Denmark. Finland, Majorca, Canada and all parts of the UK, delighting new audiences and collecting loyal supporters along the way.

The band has 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 Jazz Friends have recently headlined at Upton On Severn Jazz Festival, Pershore Jazz Festival, Teignmouth Jazz Festival, Birmingham Jazz Festival, Bromyard Music Festival, Jazz On a Summer’s Day in Blisworth, Wellingborough Jazz Festival, Wantage Jazz Club, Olney Jazz Club, Carlton Music Festival and at The Spice of Life Jazz Club, one of London’s top jazz venues. The band comprise of Tad Newton (trombone/vocal), Alan Haughton (piano), Ronnie Fenn (drums), Tomas Pedersen (bass), Mike Wills (reeds) and one of London's top young jazz players as a special guest Lester Brown (trumpet/flugelhorn). This poses to be a fantastic session, one that will be remembered for many weeks to come.

With 40 years of experience as a professional jazz and blues pianist and band leader, John Beckingham has drawn together a group of highly experienced musicians and vocalists from some wonderfully diverse performance backgrounds - from blues, street jazz and traditional jazz to West End musical theatre.They all have in common a passion for the popular music of the 1920s to the early 1950s, including Jazz Standards, Swing, Latin, Blues, The Great American Songbook and the movie & musical theatre numbers of the era. The band consists of John Beckingham: Piano and vocals, Gilly Leeper: Vocals, Phil Probert: Guitar Banjo and vocals, Keith Tolley: Double Bass and vocals, John Caplin: Saxophones and vocals, and Graham Twist: Drums.

Christine and The Stompers play from a repertoire of 1920's jazz, led by Christine on trombone and vocals, paying tribute to the jazz greats like King Oliver, Jelly Roll Morton and Clarence Williams. They enjoy bringing back ideas from the more obscure bands and tunes of the period.

Line-up: Christine Woodcock (trombone); John Picket (trumpet); Amy Roberts (reeds); Dave Arnold (sousaphone); Roy Hart (banjo); Richard Howell (drums).

Formed in 2012 Washington Whirligig has quickly gained an enviable reputation for its versatility and professionalism. Catering for all occasions from birthdays and anniversaries to formal dances and corporate entertainment, they have also taken the jazz club scene by storm, earning praise and gaining great reviews wherever they perform. Playing early New Orleans through to driving mainstream jazz, swing and blues, they have a programme for every occasion. All band members are experienced musicians, respected within the industry, ensuring your event will be a memorable day.

“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, guitar and banjo, Alex Welsh Band, 1963 to 1981. 

Dave Hepworth (clarinet & tenor sax), Andy Bramall (guitar, banjo & vocal), Rob Cotterell (Drums), Liz Hepworth (bass & vocal) & Wil Robinson (trumpet, flugel horn & vocal).

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!
A quartet from the Midlands in the New Orleans style of playing dance hall music which is great for dancing to, as well as listening to.  We are delighted on this session to be joined by one of the UK's finest musicians, on trumpet, Enrico Tomasso.

Fret and Fiddle have come a long way since forming in 2001 as a duo making their mark as a tribute to Stephane Grappelli and Django Reinhardt. Since those early days playing at small folk and blues clubs and experimenting with their repertoire, they have enjoyed over a decade of success as a trio, winning awards such as Stafford Jazz Society's “Band of the Year” and producing over four albums of material.

The co-founders of the group, professional violinist Sally Minchin and guitarist Andy Bole, embarked on their project “Grappelli Swing” in 2014 to wide critical acclaim playing as a five-piece line up on their'' UK tour. Now they have added an exciting new dimension to the band and are joined by the phenomenally talented Steve Street on drums, Rich Hughes on piano and Simon Smith on double bass.

Prepare to be dazzled by Fret and Fiddle's show which takes you through the swing music of the 1920's, the blues, americana, folk, gypsy and some foot-tapping fiddle tunes. Come and hear songs from the shows such as “Anything Goes by Cole Porter,” sing along to old hits like “I Can't Give you Anything but Love” and prepare to be dazzled by Andy's greek bouzouki playing! This versatile and entertaining group even throw in a few refreshingly individual songs by the likes of Tom Waits and Leonard Cohen, making certain that there is something in every show to delight everyone in every audience. Fret and Fiddle have just released their new album “J'Attendrai” which has been making waves locally and nationally and their track “Pennies from Heaven” has already been played as part of BBC Introducing on local BBC radio.

Hot Fingers welcomes you to an eclectic mix of vintage acoustic music. As well as the red hot jazz of 1920’s New York, there will be sophisticated 1930’s Swing. The band re-create the ‘French Coffee House’ sound of the king of gypsy swing Django Reinhardt, the blues guitars of Eddie Lang and Lonnie Johnson, and the syncopated Latin rhythms of Argentinean Oscar Aleman, this is mixed with vocals from the song-writing greats, crooners such as Bing Crosby and Al Bowlly, and hokem from the likes of Cliff ‘Ukulele Ike’ Edwards.  From Jump-Jive to swing, from the Charleston to Bossa-Nova, Hot Finger’s wide range of styles and rhythms makes them popular with both sit-down audiences and dancers alike. The band comprises Spats Langham (banjo, guitar, ukulele), Danny Blyth (bass clarinet, guitar) and Malcolm Sked (sousaphone, double bass). They will be joined by the superb vocalist Emily Campbell who adds a touch of class with her plaintive vocals, drawing inspiration from the likes of Peggy Lee and Ella Fitzgerald.

Remi Harris is an exciting guitarist from the UK who's unique style draws inspiration from artists such as Django Reinhardt, Jimi Hendrix, Wes Montgomery, Peter Green and Led Zeppelin. He has performed 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 & 3.

In his live shows Remi plays an eclectic mix of jazz standards, improvisations, original compositions and new arrangements of his favourite tunes. He plays a variety of acoustic and electric guitars and the shows are interspersed with his commentary about the history of the music and instruments he’s playing.

"extraordinary musician" - Jamie Cullum, BBC Radio 2

"astonishing stuff" - Cerys Matthews, BBC Radio 6 Music

"Brilliant" - Martin Taylor MBE

"tremendously gifted” - John Etheridge

"Terrific” - The Telegraph

"extraordinary" - R2 Rock'n'Reel Magazine

Lady be Good is an all-female, saxophone-filled jazz band that brings a touch of class to your event. Think classic swing and jazz from the likes of the Rat Pack, Julie London, Nina Simon and Peggy Lee, plus more modern numbers with our unique twist.

With lush vocals from alongside the soothing tones of the saxes, plus a guest male singer for duets if the occasion calls for it, and a very funky upright bass you've probably never seen or heard anything like Lady Be Good before.

Perfect music to get your guests up on the dancefloor and keep them there, without overpowering those who just want to sit and tap their feet at the back.

Christmas Party Fun.  Mince pies, crackers, surprise present raffle, Christmas Hamper Raffle draw, and lots of fun.

Tickets will be sold in advance for this gig, please enquire at the desk Tickets are £10 in advance or £12 on the door.

Sarah relocated back to the UK in January of 2017 and has been continuing to lead her ‘Sarah Spencer’s Transatlantic Band’ on both sides of the Atlantic, in Europe and in the USA. She has also joined the long-established, Bob Dwyer’s Bix and Pieces band and is the other member of the front line of Mike Owen’s exciting and wonderful Scarlette’s Serenaders, which also performs internationally. In addition to these, she is guesting with many other bands all across the UK and Europe.

Sarah Spencer's Transatlantic Band performs powerful New Orleans jazz in the tradition of the great Revival. Drawing influence from bands of that era, as well as taking influence from more modern New Orleans music, blues, rhythm and blues and the greats of all eras of Jazz and Blues; like Henry 'Red' Allen, Louis Armstrong, Kid Ory, Jelly Roll Morton, Big Bill Broonzy, Lonnie Johnson, Louis Jordan, Louis Prima and countless others.

Personnel of the Transatlantic Band are Sarah Spencer (reeds and vocals), Chez Chesterman (trumpet and vocals), Mike Owen (trombone and vocals), Spats Langham (banjo, guitar and vocals), Tony Sharpe (string bass) and Jools Aldridge (drums).

The Washboard Resonators hail from Leeds in England and can be described as sounding and looking like ‘a ragtime street band meets a Hollywood musical on a theatre stage somewhere in around 1932’. Their favorite performers include the jazz, ragtime, hokum, blues, comedy and vaudeville sounds of Louis Armstrong, Blind Boy Fuller, Fred Astaire, The Washboard Rhythm Kings, Robert Johnson, Gene Krupa, Max Miller, George Formby, Tampa Red and The Memphis Band. The spirit of these long gone artists and their music is summoned back to life every time Martyn and Jack take the stage with their mixture of old traditional songs and new songs written by the band. Formed in 2014, they started out busking while playing together in blues trio Leeds City Stompers. Word spread and quickly the duo was in demand, playing many times per week.

Jack Amblin (washboard, drums, percussion, jug, sings and tap-dances). Martyn Roper (guitar, banjo, ukulele, jug and vocals).