AUGUST 7TH SAM BRAYSHER QUARTET FEATURING ANNIE MAJIN
Sam Braysher, whose warm tone and inquisitive approach to harmony is attracting growing attention on the British jazz scene, will be exploring the work of Kurt Weill, a composer who lies at the intersection of European classical music, jazz, opera and American musical theatre. Expect to hear classic songs such as “My Ship” and “September Song” in addition to hidden gems from the American Songbook. He is joined by the rising star of London’s thriving jazz scene, ANNIE MAJIN, fresh from her West End musical theatre debut. They are joined by an all-star rhythm section with Hungarian pianist MATYAS GAYER, award-winning bassist TOM FARMER, and ultra swinging drummer STEVE BROWN.
SEPTEMBER 4TH SPATS LANGHAM’S FIVE NICKELS
Spats Langham’s Five Nickels are a group of musicians who regularly worked with the pianist and jazz scholar Keith Nichols. After Keith’s death in 2021 the Five Nickels were formed to continue his vibrant musical legacy. These outstanding musicians bring to life the music and syncopated rhythms of the 1920s and ‘30s, together with the subtle nuanced vocals of the period. There will be old favourites from Fats Waller, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington and Bix Beiderbecke alongside a selection of rarely heard songs and music from this inspirational era. The band line-up will be: TOM ‘SPATS’ LANGHAM, guitar and banjo; TREVOR WHITING, reeds; RICHARD PITE, tuba, bass and drums; RICO TOMASSO, trumpet; and MARTIN LITTON, piano.
OCTOBER 2ND THE RAGHOUSE DEVILS
The Raghouse Devils pay homage to the vaudevillian style travelling bands of the early 1900s, by performing a mix of traditional jazz, early blues, bawdy ballads, and cabaret chansons. This lively quintet aims to entertain, enthral and excite. Bandleader, clarinettist and vocalist, Lana-May Hodge, has put together a group of incredible musicians to create a vaudevillian experience with New Orleans gutter jazz, risqué blues and melodramatic ditties. Her aim is to reintroduce vaudeville, redefine cabaret, and revitalise traditional jazz. The band line-up will be: LANA-MAY HODGE, clarinet and vocals; GEORGE WEBSTER, piano; JIM SWINNERTON, double bass; BUBU OTIS, drums; and MORTIMER HODGE, banjo.
NOVEMBER 6TH PETE RUDEFORTH JAZZ BAND
The Pete Rudeforth Jazz Band is a London-based band comprised of the very finest Dixieland, New Orleans and Swing musicians on the scene today, which will undoubtedly result in an evening fizzing with excitement and entertaining jazz, played by a group of musicians who have worked with some of the most prestigious names on the international jazz scene today. Pete himself has played with the Pasadena Roof Orchestra, Palm Court Theatre Orchestra and the Temperance Seven; he was also a member of Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen for twelve years. The band line-up will be: PETE RUDEFORTH, trumpet and vocals; JULIAN STRINGLE, clarinet; ANDY FLAXMAN, trombone; TIM HUSKISSON, piano; SANDY BURNETT, double bass; and JOHN ELLMER, drums.
DECEMBER 4TH JAZZ SAMBA QUINTET
Jazz Samba takes its inspiration and name from Stan Getz and Charlie Byrd's ground-breaking 1962 album, the first ever fully-fledged bossa nova album recorded by American jazz musicians, which topped the LP charts on its release and produced its own pop hit single ‘Desafinado’. The evening will be a joyous celebration of the blending of Brazilian rhythms, jazz attitude and the majestic compositions of the giant Brazilian bossa nova composers Antonio Carlos Jobim, Joao Donato and Sergio Mendes. The band line-up will be: MARK CROOKS, sax and clarinet; NIGEL PRICE, guitar; JOHN CERVANTES, piano; MARIANNE WINDHAM, double bass; and DEMI GARCIA SABAT, drums and percussion.