For now we are sticking with last year’s model of Tom and friends running the fantastic local weekly jazz offer 'The Big Kettle' with monthly jazz club special nights. We would love to be able to run more, but we are aware of the risk of booking bands and the potential need to cancel if there is covid disruption from either side. So hopefully we have struck a good balance and see how we go! We are currently only booking monthly visiting bands until Autumn 2023, but will keep our ears to the ground and if we feel able to offer more of these gigs then we will.
up next
The Jazz Defenders
Soul Jazz, Hard Bop, Groove
Tuesday 2nd April
Doors Open @ 6.30pm - No pre-booking seats
Music Starts @ 7.30pm
FREE ENTRY/PWYC
“Absolutely storming!”
Jamie Cullum
“Wonderfully put together”
Craig Charles
“Gutsy, fantastic music”
Dennis Rollins MBE
“The most exciting British jazz group out there right now”
Music Republic Magazine
Led by one of the UK's most formidable jazz pianists, George Cooper, The Jazz Defenders are a group born from a deep love of Blue Note jazz, drawing on a wealth of inspiration to craft their own raw and vibrant compositions. Having played several shows at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club as well as many other prestigious venues in the UK, they continue to electrify audiences with their energy and virtuosity.
As The Jazz Defenders carry on distinctly ‘defending’ the legacy of some of the classic hard bop greats such as Horace Silver, Lee Morgan and Art Blakey, they begin to evolve their modern soul jazz slant to combine solid grooves and catchy horn lines with a collaborative and comprehensive sound, fusing soul, jazz, hip hop, soundtrack and groove into a masterful union that leaves audiences mesmerised. The result is an enthrallingly unique sound that is as danceable as it is listenable.
The group's brainchild, pianist and composer George Cooper, has lent his ample skill to a range of artists as varied as Hans Zimmer, Nigel Kennedy, U2, Omar, Slum Village, MF Doom, The Brand New Heavies, Lisa Stansfield, Wet Wet Wet, The Haggis Horns, Abstract Orchestra and Lack of Afro.
Line Up:
George Cooper - Piano/Keyboards
Will Harris - Bass
Ian Matthews - Drums
Nick Malcolm - Trumpet
Jake McMurchie - Tenor Sax