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!
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.
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.
Saxarama is lead by club favourite Jeremy Huggett on saxophones and vocals. Alongside him in the frontline is Alex Clarke on saxophones.
Jeremy and Alex first played together at the headline session of the Old Duke Jazz Festival in Bristol in August 2019. Such was the positive feedback of the crowd that they’re going to join forces once again.
They’ll be backed by a fantastic swinging rhythm section of Rich Hughes (piano), Simon Smith (Bass) and (drums).
With a saxalicious repertoire that’s great for listening and dancing this is a session not to be missed!
Cadillac Xpress is the newest band to drive into town playing a mixture of Jazz, Jump Jive & Swing and some Rock & Roll favourites.
Led by Jeremy Huggett on saxes, keyboards & vocals the band features Kevin Grenfell (trombone, trumpet & vocals), Luke Adams (guitar), Simon Smith (bass) and Alex Goodyear (drums).
The exciting, lively sound and the versatility of the band appeals to audiences of all ages making Cadillac Xpress one of the most popular bands in the UK and ideal for both listening & dancing.
They brought the house down at the last Bude Jazz Festival so make sure you come along and hitch a ride with Cadillac Xpress.
The Jazzaholics continue a tradition that has been decades in the making. In the days before The Beatles became famous, Trad Jazz was in the charts and it fuelled a youth movement that danced, enjoyed and learned about the American music of the 1920’s-40s. They branded it Traditional Jazz. The bands of Acker Bilk (Stranger On The Shore), Kenny Ball (Midnight In Moscow) and The Temperance Seven (You’re Driving Me Crazy) sold millions and set the scene for the bands that followed. The Beatles started out as a young band that played the interval set for Acker Bilk at The Cavern Club (which was a jazz club back then) in Liverpool before they hit the big time in 1964. Heady days indeed.
The Jazzaholics have a lineage to that musical tradition. Formed by banjoist Jim McIntosh in 2007, he was a former member of the popular UK jazz band Phil Mason’s New Orleans All-Stars. The Jazzaholics gets the audience’s attention from the word go! With a lively repertoire of music from jazz giants King Oliver, Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton, Kid Ory, George Lewis, Gospel/Spiritual numbers and New Orleans brass band parade tunes also included in our repertoire. The Jazzaholics are full of vitality and musicality – they guarantee a fantastic traditional jazz experience for all.
The Jazzaholics maintain a traditional format of five musicians. Kevin Grenfell (Trombone), Karl Hird (Sax/Clarinet), Baby Jools (Drums), Warren James (Banjo) and Jim Swinnerton (Double Bass).
The Dart Valley Stompers was formed by Jeremy in July 2005 with the aim of playing lively, exciting music in the Traditional and New Orleans styles of jazz. Since its formation the band has proved to be hugely successful with a strong following throughout the UK. The Dart Valley Stompers is one of the most popular and busiest bands in the country regularly performing to capacity audiences at Jazz Clubs and Festivals both in the UK and abroad. The front line features Jeremy Huggett on tenor sax, soprano sax, clarinet & vocals, Graham Trevarton on trumpet & vocals, and Kevin Grenfell on trombone & vocals. The hard-driving rhythm section includes Howard Williams on banjo & guitar, Keith Tolley on double bass and Chris Stockings on drums. The band’s repertoire is firmly rooted in traditional & New Orleans jazz and is guaranteed to get your feet tapping and stomping – definitely a band not to be missed!
Are you looking for the best jazz and swing from the last century? The girls of Lady be Good have it covered. From Ella Fitzgerald through to Caro Emerald, and Frank Sinatra to Michael Buble, we just love to play your favourite songs. Featuring the unforgettable vocal talents of Lynne Dawes and Joe Greaves, don’t forget your dancing shoes!
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.
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 phenominally 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.
