2nd September Gilad Atzmon alto & clarinet
Gilad was born in Israel in 1963 and had his musical training at the Rubin Academy of Music, Jerusalem. He toured with Memphis Slim and supporting many international jazz names such as Jack De Johnette, Michel Petrucciani, Richie Beirach and many others. As a member of the Blockheads, Gilad has also recorded and performed with such as Ian Dury, Robbie Williams, Sinead O'Connor and Paul McCartney. His recent project is Gilad with Strings… a tribute to Charlie Parker… which has received huge critical acclaim all over the World.
9th September Roger Beaujolais vibraphone featuring Nigel Price guitar
Roger Beaujolais who was self taught, started playing vibraphone at 24. His first band was the Chevalier Brothers with Ray Gelato with whom he toured the world. He then made 4 albums for Acid Jazz Records and had a number one on the jazz charts in the USA. Roger has also appeared on albums by Robert Plant, Roni Size, Guy Chambers, Shola Ama, Omara Portuondo, Fairground Attraction, Morrissey, Paul Weller, Alison Limerick, D Influence, Kirsty MacColl, 4 Hero, Neneh Cherry, Ed Motta, Brian Kennedy, Mark Nevin and Alexander O’Neal.
16th September Paul Booth tenor & soprano
Winner of “The Most Promising Jazz Player of the Year Under 21”, judged by John Dankworth and Chris Barber in the televised “Young Jazz Player of the Year” competition when only 16. The following year he was voted “The Best Modern Jazz Player” in the same competition judged by Kenny Ball and Ronnie Scott, who likened his mature impact to that of the young Tubby Hayes decades earlier. More recently he has is been heard touring with the Steve Winwood Band.
23rd September Ed Jones tenor
Ed has he has worked with Dick Heckstall-Smith, John Stevens, District Six, Evan Parker, Jason Rebello, Claire Martin, Don Weller, Gary Crosby, Byron Wallen,Tim Richard’s Great Spirit, Antonio Forcione, Damon Brown Quintet, Vibraphonic, Monk Liberation Front, Accension Jazz Orchestra, Stekpanna and On the Corner. As a session musician he has worked with Chaka Khan, D’angelo, Herbie Hancock (Headhunters),Omar, Aswad, Tina Turner, Alison Moyet, Philip Bailey, Bootsy Collins, Mori Kante, Maysa, Terry Callier, and long standing connections to jazz crossover projects such as US3 (1992) and Incognito (1995) both with whom he has been a regular band member.
30th September Peter King alto (£10/£9)
“The finest alto saxophonist that Britain has ever produced, and one of the finest in the world today” Dave Gelly, ‘The Giants of Jazz’, Aurum Press, 1986. ?Although he now concentrates on his work as a solo artist and with his regular Quartet, Peter has worked and with such legends as Bud Powell, Elvin Jones, Max Roach, Milt Jackson, Lalo Schifrin, Frank Foster’s ‘new’ Count Basie Band and The Ray Charles Orchestra. He has also recorded with Hampton Hawes, Al Haig, Philly Joe Jones, Zoot Sims, Al Cohn and many others, including Red Rodney, who said this of Peter… “He’s got that natural growl in his playing –yet he’s soft and beautiful when he wants to be.” Peter has also worked with many great singers, such as Ernestine Anderson, Joe Williams, Anita O’Day and made albums with Jon Hendricks and Jimmy Witherspoon.
7th October Jacqui Hicks The Musicians Vocalist
Relax tonight to the subtle and beautifully crafted vocals of many musicians favourite vocalist Jacqui Hicks. Having studied classical clarinet, Jazz saxophone and flute she has an intimate understanding. Of the music, which she delivers with an outstanding perception and charm, oblivious of notions of ego or fame.
She has worked with Matt Bianco, Shakatak and The Count Base Orchestra. Expect an enlightening and intimate evening of outstanding music from one of our finest Jazz vocalists.
14th October Don Weller tenor
Don Weller is one of these, along with Stan Tracey, Peter King, Bryan Spring and Evan Parker to name but a few who have been at the forefront of the British Jazz Scene for over 30 years. He led his legendary group Major Surgery for nine years playing his own compositions and went on to form a quartet with drummer Bryan Spring. He has long been a member of Stan Tracey’s Octet.
21st October Alex Garnett saxophones
Having been an integral member of Ray Gelatos’ Giants for several years and a member of Jools Hollands Rhythm and Blues Orchestra, Alex has gone on to forge his solo career. He works regularly with Anita Wardell and Gareth Lochranes’ award winning band Grooveyard and is a member or the Ronnie Scotts’ All-Stars Band. He is currently touring his new project The New York Connection.
28th October Damon Brown trumpet
Damon performs and tours internationaly with his band and has worked with Steve Grossman, Benny Golson, Dave Liebman, Don Braden, Rubin Wilson, Steve Wilson, Bruce Barth and also performs and records with Desmond Decker, The Specials, Rico Rodriguez, Paul Weller and Push.
“Out-standing composing and playing. Fresh original and to the point.” ?Ian Carr.?
“One of the UK’s most versatile younger musicians” ?Chris Parker, The Times.
4th November Extraordinary Gill Manly and her Band
It is real experience of life that makes a great Jazz vocalist. Gill Manley has had a roller coaster existence from association with great Jazz names like Bill le Sage, Tony Bennett and our own Ian Shaw, to disillusions Mahayana Buddhism, and returning again to her incredible Jazz routes. We catch her on her return journey “One of the finest and most entertaining jazz singers in Britain today”. she has an outstanding vocal range and technical ability, but it is her warm soul, musicality and desire to communicate?That enthrals and makes this night a rare treat. Watch out for her critically acclaimed new album “With a song in my heart” too.
11th November Christian Brewer alto
Christian Brewer is an exciting, lyrical bop alto player who has been on the London jazz scene for many years. His groups have featured regularly at clubs such as Ronnie Scotts (London), the Jamboree (Barcelona), the Hotclub (Lisbon) as well as International jazz festivals across Europe. His CD “Introducing Christian Brewer” and “SEESAW” were both runner up in the International Jazz competition in Granada, Spain in 2004 and 2005.
18th November Jo Fooks tenor
One of a new breed of lady saxophonists who are to be taken as seriously as the men.In 1992 Jo won ‘The Young Scottish Jazz Musician of the Year’. ?After recording her debut album “Here and Now!”, Humphrey Lyttelton invited her to join his eight-piece band, which she worked with for many years to great acclaim. Alongside performing in this band Jo also recorded and worked with Acker Bilk and played alongside Tina May, Joe Temperley, Scott Hamilton, Elkie Brooks and many others. Softly spoken and beautifully played.
25th November Gabriel and Mike Garrick
A father and son night… Legendary Mike (piano) is featured with his son Gabriel (trumpet).
Gabriel has worked with John Dankworth Generation Band, Mike Garrick Jazz Orchestra, Derek Nash’s Sax Appeal Big Band, Len Phillips Big Band, Pete Cater Big Band, Gerard Presencer Big Band and Big Band Metheny. Tonight is a rare treat to hear him alongside his highly respected father Mike, a legend of the British Jazz.
2nd December Anton Browne – Vocal Rioja
To night we feature the smooth, cool and luxurious voice of Anton Browne as he escorts us through a varied programme of Jazz, Soul and blues classics. Likened to Nat King Cole, Anton is also a serious Jazz instrumentalist he has played Ronnie Scotts, appeared on East Enders and backed Paul Young but was his masterful rendition of “My Funny Valentine” that encouraged us to invite him back to the club.
Join us for a stunning evening with this fabulous, charismatic and versatile musician.
9th December Pete Long alto & clarinet
Pete was recently involved in live and studio work with Jools Holland’s Rhythm and Blues Orchestra, the BBC Radio Big Band, arranging for and directing the poll-winning 9;20 De-Luxe, 10-piece swing band and re-creating the music of Dizzy Gillespie in quintet and big band formats. In the course of playing with Jools, Pete has worked with a diversity of popular icons from Vinnie Jones to Lionel Richie and The Blind Boys Of Alabama to Sting. He has also arranged music for Sir Paul McCartney, Chrissie Hynde, Jane Horrocks, Ray Davies and Marianne Faithfull.
16th December Annie Whitehead trombone
Annie has worked with artists Joan Armatrading, Chris Rea, Bill Wyman, Elvis Costello, Carlene Carter, Paul Weller, Jerry Dammers and Amazulu. After touring with The Charlie Watts Orchestra, Annie began a rich association with the South African community living in exile in London, playing with Chris MacGregor’s Brotherhood of Breath and Louis Moholo’s Spirits Rejoice. In Europe she worked with Michael Urbaniak, Jasper van t’Hof, Ursula Dudziak, The World Trombone Quartet (with Ray Anderson), Abdullah Ibrahim and American harmonic guitarist James Blood Ulmer. Her recent projects include touring and recording with the Paul Dunmall Octet (featuring Keith Tippett and Tony Levin), Elton Dean’s Newscene (alongside legendary trombonists Roswell Rudd and Paul Rutherford) and Gary Crosby’s Jazz Jamaica.
