2020

• Wed

  08

  Jan

  2020

  Derek Nash’s Picante Latin

  £15

  

   

  Derek Nash – saxes

  Dominic Ashworth – guitar

  Satin Singh – percussion & congas

  Andy Staples – bass

  Neil Angilley – keyboards

  Marc Cecil – drums

   

  We welcome back leading saxophonist Derek Nash, a featured soloist with the Jools Holland Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, and his fabulous Latin/Salsa band to the Belvedere. Co-founded with guitarist Dominic Ashworth, who was awarded Jazz Guitarist of the Year in 2006, they are joined by world-renowned, master percussionist and leader of King Salsa Robin Jones plus Marc Cecil, the drummer with King Salsa and other Latin bands. On the keyboards is Latin-maestro Neil Angilley who has previously appeared at the club with Julian Marc Stringle. This stellar line-up is completed by the bass of Andy Staples who plays and records with several leading UK bands.

   

• Wed

  15

  Jan

  2020

  T J Johnson

  

  T J Johnson – piano/vocals

  Al Nichols – tenor sax 

  James Kitchman – guitar/ banjo

  Simon Read – double bass 

  Shane Forbes – drums

   

  TJ Johnson 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, Jimmy Witherspoon 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 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 eight times running at London’s Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club.

• Wed

  22

  Jan

  2020

  Matthew Ford

  £15

  

  Matthew Ford – vocals

  Bunny Thompson – piano

  Ian Laws – guitar

  Joe Pettitt – double bass

  Neil Bullock – drums

  Matthew has made multiple appearances on the BBC Proms and Friday Night Is Music Night. Recent appearances include the John Wilson Orchestra, Halle, Ulster Orchestra and BBC Concert Orchestras.

  Broadcasts on Radio 2 & 3, BBC 1, 2, 3 & 4, ITV and Sky Arts.

  Bunny Thomson is pianist for the Glenn Miller (UK) Orchestra. His performances also include the BBC Big Band, Sammy Davis Jnr., Shirley MacLaine and  Big Crosby.

  Admission £15

• Wed

  29

  Jan

  2020

  ‘Jazzin Jolson’

  £15

  

  Julian Marc Stringle – clarinet

   

  Enrico Tomasso – trumpet

   

  Nick Dawson – piano & vocals

   

  Chris Gower – trombone

   

  Andy Cleyndert – double bass

   

  Rod Brown – drums

   

  The music and songs of Al Jolson performed by these very entertaining jazz musicians. The multi award winning Enrico Tomasso is on trumpet along with the renowned  Julian Marc Stringle on clarinet. Nick Dawson on piano and vocals is the MD of Mama Mia in London’s West End. Chris Gower one of the finest trombone players from the BBC Radio Big Band, brilliant double bassist Andrew Cleyndert and top drummer Rod Brown. Enjoy Al Jolson’s hits with classic melodies that resonate with memories of the incomparable Louis Armstrong, Wild Bill Davison, Muggsy Spanier & our own Alex Welsh!  Dixieland Jazz is exciting vibrant music that can only be convincingly performed by masters of this joyous idiom, this remarkable band is rich in virtuoso instrumentalists, all gifted exponents of red hot Chicago style jazz. 

• Wed

  05

  Feb

  2020

  Harlem Meer Cats

  

  Ned Bennett – alto sax & clarinet

   

  Titch Walker – trumpet

   

  Paul Taylor – trombone

   

  Colin Good – piano

   

  Jerome Davies – double bass

   

  Chris Nickolls – drums

   

  Formed in 2015, the Meer Cats is made up of 6 of the finest early jazz specialists in London, playing the music of Duke Ellington’s bands of the late 1920s and early 1930s, recreating the Cotton Club in New York with growling trumpet and trombone, haunting clarinet, swooping sax and African drum rhythms, with plenty of Swing! 

• Wed

  12

  Feb

  2020

  ‘Soheim & Me’ – Joanna Eden

  £15

  

  Joanna Eden – vocals & piano

   

  Gerry Hunt – sax/guitar/flute

   

  George Double – drums

   

  Russell Swift – double bass

   

  Special guest vocalist: – Leigh McDonald

   

  Joanna Eden finally owns up to her passion for musical theatre and treads the line between jazz cool and heart-filled storytelling performing her specially written show “Sondheim and Me”, a celebration of the works of the iconic composer, which she describes as “approaching the songs of Stephen Sondheim from my own, jazz-influenced and heart-filled perspective.

  Launched at the EFG London Jazz Festival in 2017, Sondheim & Me show traces Sondheim’s work from West Side Story to Into the Woods, seeking to explore the jazzy side of Sondheim without losing the theatrical truth. Joanna will be joined by accomplished musical theatre actress Leigh McDonald (National Theatre’s Olivier Winning cast of Honk, Mamma Mia world tour as ‘Rosie’) who brings an authentic musical theatre sound to proceedings. Enjoy Joanna’s jazzy take on Sondheim classics like ‘Send in the Clowns’, ‘Being Alive’, ‘Giants in the Sky’ and ‘The Miller’s Son’ whilst Leigh gives her mind-blowing rendition of ‘Not Getting Married’ from Company.  With beautiful duets on ‘Pretty Women’ and ‘The Ladies Who Lunch’ and a cappella rendition of ‘Somewhere’, Joanna gives Sondheim’s works a fresh new approach.  Admission £15

   

• Wed

  19

  Feb

  2020

  Mick Foster Quartet

  

  Mick Foster – baritone, alto and C Melody saxes,

  Dominic Ashworth – guitar

  Matt Home – drums

  Tom Farmer – double bass

   

  Saxophonist Mick Foster (Pasadena Roof Orchestra, Humphrey Lyttelton, John Dankworth, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra) brings his quartet for an evening of melodic jazz playing some of the great tunes from the American songbook, as featured on his album ‘Four Views’.  Expect to enjoy On The Sunny Side Of The Street, Moonlight In Vermont, But Beautiful, I’m Old Fashioned, ‘Recado Bossa Nova’  Emily and Broadway, as well as one or two Gerry Mulligan pieces.  Mick  will be playing baritone sax as well as alto and C Melody saxes, is joined by Dominic Ashworth on guitar, Tom Farmer on double bass and Tristan Mailliot on drums.

• Wed

  26

  Feb

  2020

  Catherine Lima ‘The Allure of Miss Lee’

  

  Catherine Lima – vocals

  Paul Higgs – piano/trumpet

  Alex Field – guitar

  Alex Keen – double bass

  Jason Campbell – drums

  Jazz vocalist Catherine Lima and her quintet bring you an evening of songs of jazz icon, Peggy Lee. With stories about the life of this troubled performer, Catherine explores Peggy Lee’s rise from humble beginnings in North Dakota, to her first break as a big band singer with Benny Goodman through to her successful solo career as a singer-song writer and one-time Hollywood actress.

  With classic material such as Fever, I’m a Woman, Black Coffee, He’s a Tramp, Johnny Guitar & Why Don’t You Do It Right?  along with some of Peggy Lee’s back catalogue, Catherine brings a fabulous mix of songs that explain how this talented singer maintained her prominence on the popular music scene for so many years. Each song is introduced with information about Peggy Lee’s life and where it sits in her 60 year career.

• Wed

  04

  Mar

  2020

  Jeff Hooper Big Band

  Jeff Hooper is one of the most talented and best liked singers on the European music scene, and developed his talent as a singer with the famous Syd Lawrence Orchestra, tonight brings his 14 piece big band  for the second time to our Club.

  
  Early in his career Jeff worked with Matt Monro (who taught him how to tie a bow tie!), Morecambe and Wise, and Stephane Grappelli. Jeff came second in the Star Search USA show in Hollywood and was then voted one of the top three rising stars in the world by the Frank Sinatra Music Society.

  Jeff  breathes new life into the music of Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Nat “King” Cole, Vic Damone, Jack Jones, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jnr,   Matt Monro and Mel Tormé with a relaxed, emotive style.  In a music world dominated by cyber-pop and short-lived wonders, Jeff’s enduring quality  is a breathtaking voice and sheer magnetism that has survived the  changing trends.

  This isn’t only because the songs he sings are time-honoured masters in their own right, it’s down to his unique voice, chestnut warm and chocolate rich, classic, certain and reassuring.  Jeff likes to give really well presented shows with entertaining dialogue and, combined with his magnificent singing, has made him a popular figure on the music scene. Admission £20 by reservation only

• Wed

  11

  Mar

  2020

  Genius of Duke Ellington - Sarah Moule Quintet

  

  Sarah Moule – vocals

  Simon Wallace – piano

  Paul Robinson – drums

  Dave Bitelli – clarinet, bass clarinet & tenor sax

  Mick Hutton – double bass  

   

  Six years as John Wilson Orchestra’s vocalist, Sarah Moule together with renowned pianist Simon Wallace present an excellent showcase of Duke Ellington songs, stories and anecdotes. Enjoy tunes such as It Don’t Mean a Thing, Take the ‘A’ Train,                   In My Solitude,  I Didn’t Know About You,  A Lucky So-and-So,   Prelude to a Kiss, Nothin’ But the Blues  and In a Mellow Tone  to name just  few. 

  ‘Massive talent and perfect technique. Sarah Moule stands in the very top flight of UK vocalists’   –  London Jazz News

• Wed

  18

  Mar

  2020

  Simply Swing Quintet

  £15 Reservation Recommended

  

  Steve Pert – vocals

  Sandra Lambert – piano 

  Simon Bates – tenor sax/ flute/ clarinet

  Jeff Lardner – drums

  Mick Hutton – double bass

  Sandra Lambert’s Simply Swing Band, featuring vocalist Steve Pert, invite you to join them for an evening of laughter and anecdotes and a fun and lively repertoire mix of Swing, Rat Pack, Jump Jive, Ballads, Bossa Nova, Salsa and Mambo.

  Steve is one of the country’s finest and most versatile singers. He began his career in the internationally acclaimed close harmony vocal group ‘Wall Street Crash’ with whom he appeared in over two hundred TV performances worldwide, including three Royal Variety Shows. He has worked with some of the world’s foremost musicians and singers including Harry Belafonte, Shirley Bassey, Tina Turner, Was Not Was and Toots Thieleman.

  Pianist Sandra Lambert has performed and recorded with Bette Midler, Humphrey Lyttleton, Cilla Black, Paul O’Grady, Helen Shapiro and The London Symphony Orchestra. She played at No. 10 Downing Street for Prime Minister Boris Johnson recently and also at Buckingham Palace. A sought after accompanist and arranger, Sandra is Musical Director of Simply Swing.  

  Drummer Jeff Lardner has recorded and toured with the world’s foremost musicians and singers including Van Morrison, Kylie Minogue, Natalie Cole, Bobby Womack, Gregory Porter, Joss Stone, Mick Hucknall, Georgie Fame, BBC Big Band and Mark Knopfler.

  Saxophonist Simon Bates is known and respected for his stylistic versatility. Simon has worked with musicians including Elvis Costello, Jamie Cullum, Dizzee Rascal, Shane MacGowan, Lulu, Rick Wakeman, D:Ream, Chaka Khan, Emma Bunton, Seal and Carleen Anderson. He was Musical Director for Rick Astley, Bette Midler.

  Bassist Mick Hutton is one of the UK’s finest and has worked with all the big names in jazz. 

• Thu

  26

  Mar

  2020

  The Jive Aces - The UK's No. 1 Swing Band

  £17.50 Reservation Essential

  

  Ian Clarkson – Vocals & Trumpet

  Ken Smith – Double Bass 

  Vince Hurley – Piano 

  Peter Howell – Drums 

  John Fordham – Saxophone 

  Alex Douglas – Trombone

   

  We welcome back the UK’s No 1 Swing Band The Jive Aces who appear at the Club after returning from their latest tour of the USA. The band combine a mixture of fresh arrangements of swing/Jive/R&B classics – songs made famous by such greats as Louis Prima, Cab Calloway, Bobby Darin, Louis Armstrong, Dean Martin, Big Joe Turner and Sammy Davis Jnr – along with a selection of superb swinging originals taken from their studio albums.  Admission £17.50 by reservation only

• Wed

  01

  Apr

  2020

  Dave Browning's Jazz Cats

  

  

  Dave Browning – piano

  Richard Exall – clarinet/saxes

  Jim Douglas – guitar

  John Petters – drums

  Keith Donald – double

  Simon Nelson – trumpet

   

  A NIGHT OF ‘WILD’ BILL!  – HOT SWINGING DIXIELAND JAZZ AT ITS BEST!

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

  Guesting tonight on trumpet is Simon Nelson who has worked with The Stars of British Jazz and toured with Rod Stewart.

  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 guitar from the Alex Welsh Jazz Band is the legend Jim Douglas.

  Master Swing drummer is John Petters who worked with ‘Wild Bill’ Davison when he organised a sell out UK toured The Legends of American Jazz with Art Hodes and Kenny Davern back in the 1980’s.

  On double bass is Keith Donald who also toured with ‘Wild’ Bill Davison in the 1980’s. He recently appeared at the Club in Pete Allen’s Hot Four.

  Leading the band from the piano is our Pianorama star 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’. £15 Admission

• Wed

  08

  Apr

  2020

  Georgina Jackson Big Band

  

  After performing with numerous big bands including the BBC Big Band & Concert Orchestras, Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra, Len Phillips Big Band and the Echoes of Ellington Big Band, Georgina has now formed her own big band. Enjoy your favourite instrumentals as well as those well known songs you love and know so well. £20 Admission

• Wed

  15

  Apr

  2020

  The Essex Hot Five

  
  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

  22

  Apr

  2020

  The Rag & Bone Club

  £15 admission

  
  Hazel Holder – 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 by the classy singer Hazel Holder who has West End and Broadway shows under her belt and is currently resident director on the West End musical ‘Dream Girls’. 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

  29

  Apr

  2020

  Amy Baker & The Rhythm Sisters Swing Band

  £15 admission

  

  Amy Baker – vocals

  Lana-May Hodge – clarinet

  Laura Prescott – piano

  Lottie Beattie – baritone saxophone

  Sian Unwin – double bass

  Becky Brass – drums

   

  Award winner Amy Baker is a sensational singer from Portsmouth, whose warm, jazzy vocals invoke such legends as Keely Smith, Ella Fitzgerald and Peggy Lee and her all female Rhythm Sisters Swing  Band swing their jazzy music in vintage fashion.

  Amy has appeared at the Belvedere Jazz & Music Club with the Jive Aces back in 2017 and has since sung at renowned festivals and venues all over the world including Ronnie Scott’s, Glastonbury Festival, The Edinburgh Fringe, The Tower of London, The Montreux Jazz Festival, Goodwood Revival, The Derry Jazz Festival, The HMS Nelson Wardroom, Fairfield Hall, Portsmouth Guildhall, Winchester Guildhall, Southsea Bandstand, The Cannes Yachting Festival, The Fort Lauderdale International and The Miami Boat Shows.

• Wed

  28

  Oct

  2020

  THE SYD LAWRENCE SWINGSHIFT BAND 

  

  THE SYD LAWRENCE SWINGSHIFT BAND  – A spectacular 7 piece band of top musicians from the renowned Syd Lawrence Orchestra

  Chris Dean – vocals & trombone

  Chris Snead – trumpet

  Mike Hope – tenor sax

  Adrian Wilkinson – alto sax & clarinet

  Trevor Brown – piano

  Tom Mark – double bass

  Dave Tandy – drums

  Led by the Syd Lawrence Orchestra’s leader Chris Dean, this fabulous mini big band will be performing all your favourites from the Swing Jazz era. 

  Admission £19.50 on the door

• Wed

  04

  Nov

  2020

  Derek Nash Acoustic Quartet + Special Guest Martin Shaw

  LAST GIG BEFORE LOCKDOWN!

  

  Derek Nash – saxes

   

  Dave Newton – piano

   

  Geoff Gascoyne – double bass

   

  Clark Tracey – drums

   

  Special Guest: Martin Shaw – trumpet & flugelhorn

   

  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 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, 2017 & 2018 British Awards winning drummer Clark Tracey.  Joining them will be star trumpeter, Martin Shaw from the  BBC Big Band who also features on the quartet’s latest album.