Upcoming Events

• Wed

  12

  Jan

  2022

  Derek Nash Acoustic Quartet + Special Guest Martin Shaw

  
  Derek Nash – Saxes

  Martin Shaw  – Flugel horn and trumpet

  Dave Newton – Piano

  Sebastiaan de Krom – Drums

  Geoff Gascogne – Double bass

  Jools Holland Rhythm’ & Blues Band lead saxophonist Derek Nash’s CD ‘Joyriding’ won the British Jazz Award for Best CD in 2012.

  The band’s album ‘You’ve got to Dig It to Dig It, You Dig?’ received a 5-star review in ‘The Guardian. Tonight the band will also be performing along with well known standards, music from their latest release ‘Down on FRENCHMEN Street’.  Named after the new centre of jazz in New Orleans, the album is full of infectious rhythms and lyrical melodies, with nods to Derek’s jazz roots – from Blue Note and samba to Mulliganesque counterpoint.

  The band features multi award-winning pianist David Newton, brilliant double bassist Geoff Gascoyne and Sebastiaan de Krom on drums, both whom have been the bedrock of performances from Michel Legrand to Jamie Cullum. Joining them will be star trumpeter, Martin Shaw from the  BBC Big Band who also features on the quartet’s latest album.

  Admission £17.50 via prior reservation only

• Wed

  26

  Jan

  2022

  Matt Ford - Star Vocalist

  

  The Award Winning International Singing Star & Star vocalist on the 2022 National Tour of ‘Simply Sinatra’

  Matt Ford – vocals

  John Horler – piano

  Ian Laws – guitar

  Joe Pettitt – double bass

  Neil Bullock – drums

   

  If you like big band vocalists then you will have heard or seen Matt Ford, pictured above at the 2019 BBC TV Proms at the Royal Albert Hall with the John Wilson Orchestra. Matt has appeared with many big bands including the Len Phillips Swing Orchestra, Syd Lawrence Orchestra, the RTE and BBC Concert Orchestras, the Halle Orchestra plus the London Concert Orchestra to name just a few.

  Tonight Matt brings his top Quartet to the Club for a swinging night of your favourite songs. Knowing Matt, he be throwing in some jokes to make this a really entertaining night! His brand new CD ‘Live from Abbey Road’ with the Len Phillips Swing Orchestra will be on sale tonight.

  John Horler has for over twenty years performed with Sir John Dankworth and Dame Cleo Laine.  Ian Laws has performed with  the BBC Big Band, BBC Concert Orchestra,  Shirley Bassey, Tom Jones, Jamie Cullum, Barry Manilow and Ray Charles. Double bassist Joe Pettitt is leader of the Len Phillips Swing Band. Orchestra. Drummer Neil Bullock has performs for the Jeff  Hooper Big Band plus the BBC and the Fat Chops Big Bands.

  Admission £19.50 via prior reservation only

• Wed

  09

  Feb

  2022

  Georgina Jackson - Singin' & Swingin'

  
  Georgina Jackson – vocals/trumpet

  Chris Ingham – piano

  Joe Pettitt – double bass

  George Double – drums

  On Wednesday 9th February we have the entertaining jazz vocalist Georgina Jackson (from Wigan!) accompanied by the Chris Ingham Trio.

  From the BBC Big Band and Concert Orchestras and singing in session with the BBC Band to the Proms at the Royal Albert Hall, Georgina’s unique talents have captivated and excited audiences of every age!

  Georgina now works internationally as a cabaret artiste performing her entertaining vocal/trumpet shows on the world’s most prestigious cruise lines. She is also to be found singing with the Echoes of Ellington Big Band, the Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra, The Len Phillips Swing Orchestra and is in great demand performing up and down the country with her trio show along with guest soloist and workshop dates with Big bands both here and in Europe.

  Chris Ingham formed his jazz quartet in 2013 and has led over 200 performances of his Hoagy Carmichael, Dudley Moore and Stan Getz repertoire projects all over the UK and is a firm  favourite with our Club’s members.

  Joe Pettitt on double bass is leader of the Len Phillips Swing Orchestra and appeared at our Club with Matt Ford last month.

  George Double is an established drummer on the UK  music scene both at home and abroad.  He often appears at our Club performing alongside Chris Ingham, Joanna Eden & Tina May.

  Admission £17.50 via prior reservation only

• Wed

  23

  Feb

  2022

  The Harlem Meer Cats

  

  Ned Bennett – alto sax & clarinet

  Titch Walker – trumpet

  Paul Taylor – trombone

  Colin Good – piano

  Jerome Davies – double bass

  Chris Nickolls – drums

  Music of Duke Ellington’s bands of the late 1920’s and 1930’s.

  On Wednesday 23rd February we have London’s fabulous Harlem Meer Cats sextet featuring the music of Duke Ellington’s bands of the late 1920’s and 1930’s.

  Expect to hear tunes such as It Don’t Mean A Thing, Jungle Nights in Harlem, Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me, Stevedore Stomp, Caravan, Don’t Get Around Much Anymore, Mood Indigo,  Six or Seven Times, Perdido, In A Mellow Tone, The Jumpin’ Jive, I Let A Song Go Out of My Heart, The Ghost of Smokey Joe, Jubilee Stomp, Strangers in Love, along with many more favourites.

  All our dining tables are socially distanced with no sharing – unless specifically requested.

  Admission £17.50 via prior reservation only

• Wed

  09

  Mar

  2022

  Al Nichols' Swing Quartet

   

  
  Al Nichols’ – tenor sax

  Paul Eldridge – piano

  Simon Read – double bass

  Rod Brown– drums

  Reproducing the rich deep mellow melodic tenor saxophone sound of the 1930’s,  Al Nicholls brings his own stylish swing quartet performing swing of this kind which became popular alongside the big band music of the late 1930’s, 1940s and 1950’s.

  These musicians are masters of their craft and their arrangements are intelligent plus well thought out, throwing up a few surprises. Expect to hear tunes such as:- Zing Went the Strings of My Heart, Love For Sale, I’ve Got a Crush On You, Night and Day, The Man I Love, Time After Time, Tea For Two, Too Close For Comfort  etc.

  If you’re looking for a swinging jazz combo featuring a warm-toned big open tenor saxophone sound, then London’s Al Nicholls Swing Quartet are the band and will be performing many of your favourite tunes.

  Admission £17.50 via prior reservation only

• Wed

  23

  Mar

  2022

  COSIMO MATASSA PROJECT - Sixteen Tons!

                         

  Dai Price – vocal & double bass

  Al ‘Dente’ Dunn – piano

  Jac Jones – tenor sax

  Roy Pfeffer – drums

  George Simmonds – trombone

  Dave Priseman – trumpet

  Playing tunes by well-known artists from that era such as Fats Domino and Big Joe Turner, Clarence ‘Frogman’ Henry, Tennessee Ford including his big hit ‘Sixteen Tons’ and Tami Lynn.

  We welcome back the amazing Cosimo Matassa Project, who are a collection of London musicians working to conjure up the unique rhythm ‘n’ blues flavours that emerged from New Orleans in the late 1940s and early 1950s. At the core of the band are pianist and arranger Al ‘Dente’ Dunn (Loudon Wainwright / Richard Thompson), singer and double bassist Dai Price (Dai & The Ramblers) and drummer Roy Pfeffer (The Big Smoke Family). They’re often joined by guest musicians from London’s Rhythm & Blues scene, and members of their collective have played with the likes of Allen Toussaint, James Hunter and Van Morrison. Over recent years the band have become regulars on the Rhythm & Blues and Jazz circuit, gigging around the top London clubs including Ronnie Scott’s in Soho..

  Admission £17.50 via prior reservation only

• Wed

  06

  Apr

  2022

  Rag & Bone Club

  Admission £18.50 via prior reservation only

  
  Vimala Rowe – vocals

  Stephen Large – piano

  Ben Cummings – trumpet

  Lucy Shaw – double bass

  Niall Oates – tenor sax

  Andy Jones – drums

  Dominic Ashworth – guitar

   

  ” handles the classics as the gems they still are ”  – The Guardian

   

  This highly entertaining 7 piece band is fronted tonight by the classy singer Vimala Rowe whom John Elderidge describes as “A wonderful singer with a passionate delivery which completely captures the audience”  . The band is led by pianist Stephen Large who has been musical director for Caro Emerald, Rebecca Ferguson and Duffy as well as having been MD/keyboard player for Paul Heaton/Jackie Abbott, Imelda May, Clare Teal, Martha Reeves and Rod Stewart. He has also taken over Jools Holland’s role as keyboard player in the band Squeeze. Describing themselves enigmatically as ‘itinerant dealers in second-hand soundings and muggled melodiousness!’, The Rag and Bone Club deliver an outstanding performance of musical excellence with a keen reference to the music of the 1930s and 40s swing era. The band is influenced by jazz aristocrats such as Peggy Lee, Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald, Ramsey Lewis, Chet Baker and Nat King Cole. They are all experienced musicians having worked with legendary artists including Kenny Ball, The Humphrey Littleton Band, Paul Mc Cartney, Stevie Wonder as well as playing with The Pasadena Roof Orchestra, Pee Wee Ellis and Jamie Cullum. Their album entitled ’Take Away Everything’ features original jazz compositions along with innovative takes on old classics.

• Wed

  20

  Apr

  2022

  A SALUTE TO ‘WILD’ BILL!  – HOT SWINGING DIXIELAND JAZZ AT ITS BEST!

  

   

  Dave Browning – Stride pianist

  Allen Beechey – Cornet

  Richard Exall – Clarinet & saxes

  Brian Butler – Trombone

  Keith Donald – Double bass

  John Watson – Drums

  ‘Wild’ Bill Davison – An American cornet player best remembered for his association with bandleader Eddie Condon with whom he worked and recorded. Tonight will re-create the feel of this swinging Dixieland jazz style with these handpicked Jazz Cats by pianist Dave Browning.

  Leading the band from the piano is our Pianorama star stride pianist Dave Browning, described by Digby Fairweather as ‘an accomplished pianist in the style of Ralph Sutton and one of the nicest people you could ever meet’.

  On  cornet is the brilliant Allen Beechey leader of the Bright Stars of Jazz band.

  Excelling on reeds is the very much in demand talent of Richard Exall who is a virtuoso of the clarinet and saxes and past member of the Chris Barber Jazz Band.

  On trombone is  Brian Butler who’s equally happy with mainstream and trad being a skilled technician and improviser (observe his triple-tonguing!).

  Drummer John Watson has appeared with the Pasadena Roof Orchestra and the Big Chris Barber Band.

  Double bassist is Keith Donald who also toured with ‘Wild’ Bill Davison in the 1980’s. He frequently appears at the Club in Pete Allen’s Hot Four.

  Admission £18.50 via prior reservation only

• Wed

  04

  May

  2022

  Essex Hot Five

  £17.50 prior reservation

  

  Paul Higgs – trumpet/flugelhorn/vocals

  Mick Foster – saxes

  Ted Beament – piano

  Marc Cecil – drums

  Andy Staples – double bass

   

  Led by the renowned trumpeter Paul Higgs (BBC Philharmonic Orchestra) the Essex Hot Five will perform your favourite standards featuring Mick Foster (Pasadena Roof Orchestra) Andy Staples and Marc Cecil (Derek Nash’s Picante Latin) and star of our Summer Pianorama Ted Beament.

  Come along and support our Essex musicians for a great fun night of top quality jazz and entertainment.

• Wed

  18

  May

  2022

  RAY GELATO & THE GIANTS

  

  Constantly the fabulous Ray Gelato, and his amazing swing band The Giants, blow the lid off Ronnie Scott’s Club in awesome fashion.  Ray, a wonderful sax player and superb front man, is a London boy heavily influenced by the likes of Louis Prima, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Louis Jordan and Coleman Hawkins.

  Backed by his band The Giants, Ray is considered one of the last in a long line of classic jazz entertainers. Audiences and listeners across the World can expect to hear some foot stompin’ swinging music that will leave them uplifted and inspired.

  His Band will perform a selection of truly classic records as well as Ray’s original material, which has deservedly become some of the most requested during his live shows. Join Ray and the stunning Giants paying homage to the ‘ Great Entertainers’ and help keep this incredible music Swingin’.

   

  “Arguably the only British jazz artist with a proper stage show.”  –  THE LONDON EVENING STANDARD

  Admission £24.50 via reservation only

• Wed

  01

  Jun

  2022

  T J Johnson

  Admission £18.50 via prior reservation only

  

  T J Johnson – vocals & piano

  Julian Webster-Greaves – saxophone, harmonica &  flute

  James Kitchen – guitar

  Simon Read – double bass

  Rod Brown – drums

   

  We welcome back the hugely popular TJ Johnson who is widely considered to be one of the UK’s most charismatic highly revered jazz and blues singers. Backed by his group of top London based musicians, TJ plays an extraordinary blend of music that transcends the boundaries of jazz, blues, soul and country and is influenced by some of the greats such as Ray Charles, Dr John, Louis Armstrong, Johnny Cash, BB King, Nina Simone, Alberta Hunter, Frank Sinatra, Willie Nelson and many more. His distinctive voice and unique personal stage manner always brings both the band and the audience together to create an intimate yet exciting atmosphere that is rarely equalled. TJ and his band have toured extensively both in the UK and overseas for over twenty five years and now while still maintaining a high profile at international festivals and venues, he is also very involved in the vibrant London music scene. TJ’s style and mix of music seems to be very popular with the young trendy in-crowd and older jazz and blues fans alike. They have also sold out over fifteen times running at London’s Ronnie Scott’s.

  Admission £18.50 via prior reservation only

• Wed

  15

  Jun

  2022

  Ben Holder & Julian Marc Stringle Quintet

  
  Ben Holder – violin & vocals

  Dominic Ashworth – guitar

  Tom Farmer  – double bass

  Mark Taylor –  drums

  Award winning Ben Holder is arguably the finest swing jazz violinists in the UK, he also sings and is a brilliant pianist! If you enjoy Stephane Grappelli, you’ll love Ben!

  On clarinet and tenor sax is the award-winning Julian Marc Stringle who’s described by Sir John Dankworth as “The best clarinettist to emerge in British jazz for decades”

  Club favourite guitarist Dominic Ashworth appears regularly at the Club with Derek Nash’s Picante Latin, The Rag & Bone Club, The Mick Foster Quartet and Julian Stringle’s Dream Band. Double bassist Tom Farmer appears at the Club with top vocalist Atila and Skelton Skinner’s Big Screen Take 1 & 2. Tom’s also a member of British jazz group Empirical. In demand drummer Mark Taylor has accompanied many famous jazz artists such as Anita O’Day, Benny Carter, Chet Baker, Stephane Grappelli, Monty Alexander, Victor Feldman and Buddy De Franco, to name just a few.

  Admission £18.50 via prior reservation only

   

• Wed

  29

  Jun

  2022

  The Cyril Bevan 8 (All Star)

  Admission £18.50 via prior reservation only

  
  Lee Gibson – vocalist

  Derek Nash – saxes

  Jimmy Hastings – saxes & flute

  Gordon Campbell – trombone

  Paul Eshelby – trumpet

  Paul Morgan – double bass

  Cyril Bevan – drums

  Bobby Worth  – drums

  Our Pianorama and London’s former Talk of The Town drummer Cyril Bevan, brings his all-star band to the Club for fun filled entertaining evening to celebrate his retirement.  Come and see vocalist Lee Gibson, saxophonists Derek Nash and Jimmy Hastings also flute, trombonist Gordon Campbell, trumpeter Paul Eshelby, pianist John Pearce, bassist Paul Morgan and drummer Bobby Worth for a spectacular evening of music featuring those songs you know so well and love to hear!

  Admission £18.50 via prior reservation only

• Wed

  13

  Jul

  2022

  Ella, Billie & Beyond! - The Joanna Eden Quartet

  

  Joanna Eden – vocals & piano

  Guille Hill – guitar

  Andres Lafone – bass

  George Double  – drums

  The gig will be featuring Guille Hill on guitar and Andrés Lafone on bass with George Double on drums.  As well as some Ella numbers like ‘Midnight Sun’, You Turned the Tables on Me’ and ‘A Night in Tunisia’, enjoy other swing classics such as ‘Isn’t it Romantic’, Don’t Get Around Much’ and some of Joanna’s swing arrangements of songs like Let’s Stay Together and Yesterday, as well as a couple of swing, jazz-waltz and Latin originals.  Both Guille and Andrés are Uruguayan so there will be a jazzy and a Latin flavour to the evening!  – JOANNA EDEN

  Admission £17.50 via prior reservation only