Gig listing number 5 - May

Spring is definitely in the air here in the UK and I hope it finds you well, wherever you are. Let me know if you make it along to any of these gigs.

Wednesday 1 to Monday 6 May 2024: Cheltenham Jazz Festival
Guests just announced include: Lucy-Anne Daniels, Dionne Warwick; Robert Plant; Sophie Ellis-Bextor; Jack Savoretti; UB40; Dee Dee Bridgewater; Morcheeba; Courtney Pine; Clare Teal; Huey Morgan; Snarky Puppy; Brand New Heavies Orchestra; Brad Mehldau Trio; Jordan Rakei; Bettye Lavette; Ladysmith Black Mambazo; Theo Croker; Lakecia Benjamin; Nubiyan Twist; Norma Winstone; Fatoumata Diawara; Zara McFarlane and many more. Find out more


Thursday 2 May: 'The Eight Words', Newcastle Cathedral with Malcolm Guite
Renowned poet-priest Malcolm Guite joins Tim Boniface (sax) in the amazing setting of Newcastle Cathedral. Malcom and I will also be giving a joint lecture on Theology, Poetry and Jazz in the afternoon. Details here if you find yourselves towards the North East: https://newcastlecathedral.org.uk/event/the-eight-words/


Sunday 12 May 2024: Nikki Iles, Pizza Express, Dean Street, London W1
The marvellous Nikki Iles (hopefully a future guest) brings her big band to the regular Sunday big band session in Soho. Find out more


Sunday 12 to 19 May 2024: Watford Jazz Festival

A range of outstanding events. Find out more


Tuesday 14 May: 'Big Ben' at Watermill Jazz, Betchworth Park Golf Club, Reigate Road, Dorking RH4 1NZ

‘Big Ben: Celebrating saxophonist Ben Webster’, which premiered at the EFG London Jazz Festival in November 2023., comes to this delightful jazz venue. A narrated show curated by pianist/arranger Alex Webb and saxophonist Tony Kofi, it includes Webster’s acclaimed years with Duke Ellington, his work with Billie Holiday, his visits to Ronnie Scott’s in London, his later years in Copenhagen and his remarkable work with strings. The band includes Alan Barnes on reeds, Ben Cummings on trumpet, David Lalljee on trombone and a rhythm section of bassist Dave Green (who played and recorded with Ben Webster in the 1960s) and Clark Tracey, whose legendary father also accompanied Webster on his 1960s UK dates. Strings are supplied by the J.A.M. String Collective, formed from Tomorrow’s Warriors musicians. For tickets & info: Watermill Jazz event tickets from TicketSource.

Saturday 18 May: Ineza and 'Women's Words, Sisters' Stories' at Brasserie Toulouse Lautrec, 140 Newington Butts, Kennington, London SE11 4RN

The Belgian/Rwandan vocalist returns to south London’s most important jazz venue with her ongoing celebration of the repertoire written or co-written by the great jazz divas themselves, with the Alex Webb Trio. For tickets & info: Lulu Pierre with The Alex Webb Quintet - Toulouse Lautrec

Thursday 23 May: Lulu Pierre, Tony Kofi and Alex Webb at Cambridge Modern Jazz Club, Hidden Rooms, 7b Jesus Lane CB5 8BA

Vocalist Lulu Pierre makes her debut at Cambridge’s atmospheric jazz outpost, with special guest, tenor sax maestro Tony Kofi and the Alex Webb Trio. For tickets & info: cambridgejazz.org/event/lulu-pierre-quartet-with-special-guest-tony-kofi/

Saturday 1 June: Jazz Cafe POSK, 238-246 King Street London W6 0RF: Ineza and ‘Women’s Words, Sisters’ Stories’

The Belgian/Rwandan vocalist makes her debut at this superb jazz room with her ongoing celebration of the repertoire written or co-written by the great jazz divas themselves, with the Alex Webb Trio (Charlie Pyne, bass & Katie Patterson, drums). For tickets & info: https://www.jazzcafeposk.org/

27 June to 6 July: Montreal Jazz Festival
André 3000, Norah Jones, Hiatus Kaiyote, Laufey, Robert Glasper (L'Événement spécial Rio Tinto), and Orville Peck (Le Grand Événement TD) are among the headliners of the 44th Festival International de Jazz de Montréal (FIJM), presented by TD Bank Group in collaboration with Rio Tinto. From June 27 to July 6, over 350 shows will rock the heart of the city, and two-thirds will be free of charge. With this year’s modern, all-encompassing and diverse program, the FIJM proves once again that jazz knows no boundaries. Find out more

Friday 5 to Sunday 7 July 2024, Love Supreme Festival, Glynde Place
I'll be there! Lots of past and future guests appearing, including Christian McBride. Find out more


Friday 12 to Sunday 14 July 2024, NN North Sea Jazz Festival, Rotterdam Ahoy
Billed as the world’s largest indoor music festival, this has some great names announced, including:Sting, Joshua Redman, Jamie Cullum, Cécile McLorin Salvant, John Scofield & Dave Holland, Chucho Valdés, Lizz Wright, Shai Maestro, Laura Misch, Myra Melford, Reuben James, Walter Smith III, Ibrahim Maalouf, a new quartet featuring Chris Potter, Brad Mehldau, John Patitucci and Johnathan Blake and much more. Find out more


Friday 15 to Sunday 24 November 2024, EFG London Jazz Festival

There are some incredible gigs coming in already for this year's London Jazz Festival, including a raft of great options at Cadogan Hall.

Ongoing

* My newest discovery this month is Jazz Cafe Posk in Hammersmith. In the course of the next few weeks, several of my past guests are appearing there. It's a great, relaxed venue.

* Check out one of my favourite venues - London's marvellous 606 Club

* In Milton Keynes, there's also the Stables Theatre, which often features live music

* Different venues, plus lots of music on offer at Boisdale in Belgravia and Canary Wharf.