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Gig listing no 8: August 2024

August for some industries means a slow-down, and although some venues are quieter now, there's no letting-up of the great live music you can hear. If you hear of anything I'm missing, please let me know.

Check out some of these venues and events below, especially those featuring past guests on the Harmonious World podcast:



Monday 19 August: Pizza Express, Dean Street, Soho London W1
Ineza & ‘Women’s Words, Sisters’ Stories’ - the Belgian/Rwandan vocalist comes to this key London jazz venue with her ongoing celebration of the repertoire written or co-written by the great jazz divas themselves, with the Alex Webb Trio. Click here for tickets & info

Saturday 24 August: Shambala Festival, Northamptonshire, Sankofa Stage
Ineza & ‘Women’s Words, Sisters’ Stories’ - the Belgian/Rwandan vocalist comes to this much-loved music and arts festival with Rosie Turton (trombone), Alex Webb (piano), Charlie Pyne (bass) and Katie Patterson (drums)., exploring the jazz repertoire written or co-written by the great jazz divas themselves. For tickets & info: HOME - Shambala (shambalafestival.org)

Monday 2 September: Pizza Express, Dean Street, Soho London W1
The concert debut of The Pocket Ellington, a seven-piece celebration of the Ellington repertoire with Alan Barnes (reeds), Tony Kofi (tenor), Simon Finch (trumpet), David Lalljee (trombone), Dave Green (bass) and Winston Clifford (drums). As well as clever adaptations of Ellington classics the group also plays music from arranger/composers influenced by the Duke, including Mingus, Monk and Gil Evans. For tickets & info: The Pocket Ellington feat. Tony Kofi & Alan Barnes | Pizza Express Live

Thursday 12 September: Piano Bar Soho, Carlisle St London W1D 3BT
Marvin Muoneke with the Alex Webb Trio. A rare London date by this remarkable jazz vocalist, who toured recently with the Down For The Count Orchestra. Expect spine-tingling versions of the great jazz ballads as well as plenty of uplifting swing. Click here for tickets & info

Friday 20 September: St Paul's Church, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 1JP
Jazz composer and performer Tim Boniface and his band perform Tim’s latest work ‘Psalter: Themes for Peace’. An evocative and gripping journey through the theme of peace in the book of Psalms, Psalter moves through hope, rest, protest, lament, joy and a call to action. Offering a fresh way of encountering familiar ancient texts through the composition and improvisation of this superb group, Psalter, which was premiered at St Alban’s Cathedral in 2024, follows Tim Boniface’s two acclaimed suites, The Infant and The Eight Words. The performance of Psalter will be followed by the quartet’s exploration of some classic jazz material. Click here for tickets & info

Wednesday 25 September: The Crypt at St Martins In The Fields, Trafalgar Square WC2N 4JJ
Celebrating the Sarah Vaughan Centenary: to mark Sassy’s 100th, a show starring Lulu Pierre and Marvin Muoneke which recreates highlights of the Sassy repertoire and the famous duets with Billy Eckstine – as well as her work with Tony Bennett and Joe Williams. With the Alex Webb Quintet, ticket and info: Crypt Lates: Great Jazz Voices - Celebrating the Sarah Vaughan Centenary - St Martin-in-the-Fields

Thursday 26 to Sunday 29 September: Brighton Jazz Festival
Lots of artists appearing across Brighton, with plenty of free and day-time events to enjoy. Click here for tickets & info

Sunday 29 September: Scarborough Jazz Festival, Scarborough Spa
Big Ben: celebrating saxophonist Ben Webster with Alex Webb & Tony Kofi. Headlining the last night of this venerable jazz festival, a narrated show about this legendary tenor player. The all-star band includes Alan Barnes (reeds), Simon Finch (trumpet), Dave Green (bass) and Clark Tracey (drums); strings are provided by the J.A.M. Collective. The show explores Ben Webster’s musical journey from the 1930s sessions with Billie Holiday, through the Duke Ellington years to the 1950s recordings for Norman Granz and his later years in Europe, and his work with strings. For tickets & info: Box Office & Customer Support | Scarborough Spa

Friday 4 October: Pump House Theatre, 5 Local Board Rd, Watford WD17 2JP
Celebrating the Sarah Vaughan Centenary: to mark Sassy’s 100th, a show starring Lulu Pierre and Marvin Muoneke, which recreates highlights of the Sassy repertoire and the famous duets with Billy Eckstine – as well as her work with Tony Bennett and Joe Williams. With the Alex Webb Quintet, ticket and info: Sarah Vaughan Centenary – Pump House Watford

Friday 15 to Sunday 24 November: 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 is Jazz Cafe Posk in Hammersmith: 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

* Lots to see and hear at Kings Place, right next to Kings Cross and St Pancras

* Don't forget Ronnie Scott's, which has a range of jazz to suit all tastes (closed throughout August, so book for September)

* A blatant plug for the fabulous Club 85 in my home town of Hitchin. They've just launched a GoFundMe appeal to ensure that live music continues, so please take a look

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