Archives: Events

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!

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.

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 bossanova, 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 sax

Denny Ilett – guitar

Dave Green – double bass

Clarke Tracey – 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.  Baby Jools (drums), Mike Owen (trombone), Denny Illet (trumpet), Jim Swinnerton (double bass), Karl Hird (reeds) and Brian Mellor (banjo and guitars).

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.  Baby Jools (drums), Mike Owen (trombone), Denny Illet (trumpet), Jim Swinnerton (double bass), Karl Hird (reeds) and Brian Mellor (banjo and guitars).

Plumb Loco is a 7 piece band, comprising of freelance professional musicians from the Leics/Notts/Derbys areas with an odd one  from Crewe. Each member of the band has over 55 years performing experience except for guitarist Richard Smith, who is not even 50 yet – but as he’s regarded as one of the best players in the UK, we forgive his youthfulness. We play music that varies twixt jazz and rock ‘n’ roll and if you don’t blink, you might catch a bit of country in there. Although the musicians work separately, the band gets together for weddings, funerals, bar mitzvahs, circumcisions, and gigs such as this one. Most members have appeared at the club several times in almost as many bands, but the band is making its third appearance here.

Members (providing nobody gets the plague before they appear):

Stuart Battle (v), Roger Keay (t/s). Richard Smith (g), Ian Wheatley (g), Steve Peters (p), Al Harris (b), Keith Chaplin (d)

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

Alligator Gumbo, an exciting band based in Leeds, inspired by the sights and sounds of New Orleans jazz and blues!

Performing extensively around the UK since 2011, the band continues to wow audiences far and wide with their good-natured mix of foot-stomping rhythms and toe-tapping tunes, combining the authentic sounds of New Orleans jazz with their infectious on stage energy and unique performance style.

The band is lead by James Paylor on the double bass and vocals, Greg Surmacz on clarinet/saxophone, Chris Williamson on trumpet, Mike Simpson on guitar, Jose WIlliamson playing drums/washboard and Chris Lloyd on piano.

Tickets for concerts in advance, either enquire at the desk or send a S.A.E. and cheque made payable to Jazzamatazz to Emma Pearse, 1 Long Close Avenue, Allesley Village, Coventry, CV5 9GH.   Tickets are £10 in advance or £12 on the door.

Tickets for concerts in advance, either enquire at the desk or send a S.A.E. and cheque made payable to Jazzamatazz to Emma Pearse, 1 Long Close Avenue, Allesley Village, Coventry, CV5 9GH.   Tickets are £10 in advance or £12 on the door.

The Bateman Brothers Jazz Band is now firmly recognised as one of the UK’s top jazz bands. From the moment their debut album ‘Now You Has Jazz’ was voted the best jazz CD of 2011 in the British Jazz Awards they haven’t looked back.  Their amazing show is all about Louis Armstrong and his All-Stars. To do this authentically you’ve got to have a trumpet player who plays like the great man himself and Alan Bateman has certainly achieved this, even fooling one or two Louis experts who would wish to remain nameless! Alan’s brother Ian on trombone does a pretty amazing job too, recreating the smooth style of Jack Teagarden and Trummy Young’s fiery style of the later years of Louis great band.  The other band members are stars in their own right. Trevor Whiting on clarinet (ex Chris Barber), pianist Craig Milverton, bassist John Day (Acker Bilk) and the incredible Steve Rushton on drums.  The band plays the same arrangements as Louis’, not just a play through and everybody doing endless solos. They pride themselves in an exciting non-stop show that will have you craving for more. That’s how it was with Louis and that is what The Bateman Brothers Jazz band have managed to achieve.

One of our club favourite acts, Carl Sinclair(piano) will make a return visit to us alongside Howard Smith on Drums to help us kick the Christmas spirit into a swinging time.

Carl comes from a family of strong musicians he first started playing the piano when he was only 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!

By special arrangement will be joined by swinging, versatile reedsman Jeremy Huggett (saxophone, flute, vocals), also a club friend and favourite alongside Simon Smith (bass).  This session promises to deliver a real swinging, feel good session to kick off the festivities, a great fun party.  Be there or be square!!  It is as simple as that!!  The doors will open at 12:00, so if you want ‘your seat’ be there early.  Seats cannot and will not be reserved.  Strictly first come, first served.

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

Carl comes from a family of strong musicians he first started playing the piano when he was only 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!