Concerts

A very special band to start our new jazz year.

Led by two legendary saxophonists of the Welsh jazz scene, this exciting band performs a wide ranging selection of material drawn from the 1950s up to the present day. They are joined by Jim Barber (keys), Alan Vaughan (bass) and Ian Poole (drums).

They emphasize swing in all its forms, from relaxed up to break neck speed, all played with effortless style. Ballads flow and Latin tunes groove with unison horn lines.

You can expect Miles Davis, Joe Henderson, Wayne Shorter, Dexter Gordon and more …… 

Fronted by an unusual combination of clarinet, bass clarinet and vocals in several European languages, the unique, eclectic and widely appealing sound of Afternoon in Paris is delivered with a heartfelt, irresistible joie de vivre that will transport you through the jazz clubs of 1930s Paris to the grand cafés of Europe and South America.

The band this time was Susanna Warren (clarinets and vocals), Jeremy Young (lead guitar), Nick Kacal (double bass) and Paul Smith (drums).

A trans-Europe & beyond delight came our way, bedecked with Xmas tunes, as well. Here’s a photo of Susanna, in Christmas mode. Until our return in February, we wish you a Jazzful new year.

Dom has promised a sublime mix of “American songbook & Blue Note Jazz classics”.

Playing with Dom (sax) are John Davies (guitar), Nino Consolo (drums) & Chris Cassar (bass). The band will also feature the sultry, swinging vocals of Elaina Hoss.

Come along to be mesmerised by this fabulous band of local, so talented, jazz+ musicians.

Tudor Thomas and his friends will be playing brass, strings and enough numbers to tire out your tapping toes. In a good way, of course. The new band features:-

Bill Ridley – trumpet;

Andy Leggett – clarinet & saxophones;

Tudor Thomas – trombone;

Vic Partridge – banjo & guitar;

Peter Berry – string bass.

Dixieland / Swing or Trad Jazz to some, Good Time Jazz to others, good ol’ jazz to all: come and enjoy!

Swinging mainstream vibes with a hint of West Coast low-key coolness brought to you by the Cool Jazz Quartet.

The band is led by Greg Sterland – tenor and baritone sax, with Jonny Westhorp – guitar, Dan Somers – piano and Mike Kennedy– upright bass.

Greg, Dan and Mike are stalwarts of the burgeoning contemporary Bristol Jazz scene, bringing together modern jazz and bebop (Greg), swing and big band (Dan) and traditional and mainstream (Mike).  The guys are joined by Jonny, who adds a strikingly refreshing, individual guitar style to the overall mix.

The band’s repertoire is the American songbook of jazz standards sprinkled with compositions by standout European musicians such as Lars Gullin and Bobby Jespar.

Another first for us, a jazz lunch in August! And who better to help us experiment than Duski.

Duski are: Aidan Thorne – bass, Dan Messore – guitar, Joe Northwood – sax, Mark O Connor – Drums/percussion

Jazz progressivistas, they’ll take you on a journey through the American Songbook and capture some of their favourite composers, including music by Pat Metheny and pianist Brad Mehldau.

If you’d like a foretaste, try this. If you’d like to be part of a driving vibe, high above the sands of Tenby’s South Beach, then come along on Sunday 14th August.

We were due to be enchanted by this amazing band of musicians, through their heartfelt, irresistible joie de vivre that would have transported you from the jazz clubs of 1930s Paris to the grand cafés of Europe and South America.

Sadly, it is not to be; we have, however, put a marker down with them for next year.

Meanwhile, with vaccinations around the corner, we’d like to wish you all the best Christmas you can muster and let’s all hope 2021 will be a year to remember.

Led by two legends of the Welsh jazz scene, this exciting band would have performed a wide ranging selection of material drawn from the 1950s up to the present day.

They emphasize swing in all its forms, from relaxed up to break neck speed, all played with effortless style. Ballads flow and Latin tunes groove with unison horn lines.

You could have expected expect Miles Davis, Joe Henderson, Wayne Shorter, Dexter Gordon and more …… 

But for now, please listen to some of the foregoing great artists of yesteryear, especially one of my all time favourites Dexter Gordon, and think back to some of the superb lunchtime sessions we’ve had over the years.

I hope one day we can revive the very essence of live chilled jazz in a truly salubrious venue. Until then, may you all stay safe and strong.

The band were due to play the great songs duets of Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong including They Can’t Take That Away From Me, A Fine Romance, I Won’t Dance and many more. Plus the great solo songs from Ella including Manhattan, My Funny Valentine, That Old Black Magic. Louis will be belting out Just One of Those Things, Hello Dolly and Wonderful World. Ah, brings a tear to the eye.

Well, hopefully they, too, will be able to make a return about this time next year. Until then, all the normal stays: safe, healthy, strong etc.