Gig Diary
jazz nights

Jazznights presents the best in modern jazz at:

The Function Suite, The Cherry Tree, Knowl Green, Belchamp St Paul, Suffolk, CO10 7BY.

Tel: 01787 237263       Adm £8.         Doors 7.30pm.       Music 8.00-10.30pm.

Reserve your table seating on 01787 237653 or email.  Pay on the night.

Food available and can be served before or during the performance.

You can join us at facebook, read reviews of previous performances at wordpress or tweet at http://twitter.com/jazznightsuk/

To visit artist's web site click on their image.

Sunday 27th May - STEWART CURTIS (sax & flt)

With the new CD "Smoked Salmon Salsa" by his esoteric band K-Groove just released, Stewart shows that he is truly a multi-talented musician equally at home on saxophone, flute and clarinet. His straight-ahead jazz performances always come with a hint of the exotic with unexpected twists and turns.

Sunday 10th June - ESTELLE KOKOT (voc)

After her recent "Fractured Ballads" as part of London's Art of Song Festival, Estelle continues to gain fans for her unique approach to a song performance. "Seductively poetic" The Times. "...a genuine innovator with a creative twist..." The Guardian. "A powerful yet intimately confiding vocal style..." Vortex Jazz Review.

Sunday 24th June - BEYOND CANTALOUPE

Jazznight's pianist Simon Brown brings his brand new 5 piece band featuring the cream of Norwich's jazz musicians to The Cherry Tree for a night of classic Herbie Hancock Blue Note tracks specially arranged by Simon. With a front line of trumpet and tenor saxophone and the resident rhythm section from the Norwich Jazz Club this is sure to be a great night.

Sunday 8th July - SIMON SPILLETT (sax)

Having been strongly influenced by the great Tubby Hayes, Simon has long since developed his own approach to hard swinging modern jazz. With a repertoire of well known standards he always proves to be a popular draw at jazz clubs throughout the UK either as a single guest artist or with his own band.

Sunday 22nd July - RIPRAP

Dr. Kevin Flanagan brings his superb Riprap quartet to The Cherry Tree. As well as being a formidable jazz saxophonist Kevin has had pieces commissioned and performed by orchestras in London. The quartet features the brilliant pianist Dave Gordon and the remarkable drumming of Russ Morgan. Rebop's Andy Brown on bass will need no introduction to Jazznights audiences.

Sunday 5th August - CHRISTINE TOBIN (voc) & PHIL ROBSON (gtr)

The hit of the London Jazz Festival with their double bill concert at the Purcell Room, RFH, Christine & Phil appear together at Jazznights for what will be an extra special night. Christine has won the "Best Vocalist" category in the BBC Jazz Awards and Phil won "Best Jazz Musician of the Year" in the recent Parliamentary Jazz Awards.

Sunday 19th Aug - MARTIN SPEAKE (sax)
Martin has developed a personal musical voice that expresses a deep understanding of the history and language of jazz with individuality as an improviser that is intelligent, melodic, cool, complex, direct, beautiful and profound. ‘One of the most interesting and rewarding alto saxophonists now playing jazz on any continent.' Jazz Times.

Sunday 2nd Sept - ART THEMEN (sax)

One of the truly great saxophonists on the UK jazz scene. Art started playing with Stan Tracey in 1974 and he has since played with all of Tracey's groups, touring with him all over the world as well as around the UK. He has also played and toured with musicians such as Nat Adderley, Ian Carr, George Coleman, and Al Haig.  He is famously an ex-orthopaedic surgeon!

Sunday 16th Sept - TRUDY KERR (voc) BBC RADIO SUFFOLK RECORDING

Hailed as "one of the country's most polished singers" by The Times, Trudy has recently completed her 10th CD release "The Lives of Ted and Gladys" with bassist/husband Geoff Gascoyne. "Trudy Kerr...she has an excellent range, admirable vocal control and she swings easily. She enunciates lyrics clearly and means what she sings". Jazz Journal.

  Sunday 30th Sept - TBA

Sunday 14th Oct - CAMERON PIERRE (gtr)

Most famously known as the guitarist with Courtney Pine with whom he regularly records and tours, Cameron also has recorded a number of CDs under his own name the most recent being "Radio Jumbo", a mix of French Antillean rhythms and influences fused against a backdrop of jazz interpretation. George Benson/Wes Mongomery stylings.

Sunday 28th Oct - TINA MAY (voc)

"Tina May remains the most expressive and technically gifted jazz singer on the UK scene." So says Kenny Mathieson of The Scotsman and few would disagree as Tina has become the most popular singer on the UK jazz scene with a range of CDs to her credit including her stunning duets with Nikki Iles and her Live In Paris recording with her French band.

Sunday 11th Nov - ALAN BARNES (saxes)

Over the years Alan has won many British Jazz awards in alto, baritone, clarinet and arranging categories and in 2001 and 2006 Alan received the prestigious BBC Jazz Instrumentalist of the Year award. As well as fronting many diverse bands of his own, Alan is much sought after as a sideman in a number of other UK and USA projects.

Sunday 25th Nov - JULIAN SIEGEL (sax)

Already a past winner of the BBC Jazz award for Best Instrumentalist, Julian is again nominated for 2011. With the new CD "Urban Theme Park" and European tours with his own quartet and as a member of Partisans his reputation continues to grow internationally. "...lissom, free-wheeling saxophonist" John Fordham.

Sunday 9th Dec - LEWIS WRIGHT (vibes)

At around the age of 13 and having recorded his first CD, Lewis was one of the first guest artists to appear at Jazznights over 10 years ago. Now with the band Empirical and having performed with Clark Tracey, Stan Sulzmann, Mark Lockheart, etc., he is now established as a major force on the vibraphone.

Sunday 23rd Dec - JACQUI HICKS (voc)

As well as fronting her own band, Jacqui is featured with Shakatak, the Back To Basie Orchestra and many top UK groups. This special Xmas gig will feature jazz vocal versions of classic Chistmas songs including Santa Claus is Coming To Town, Winter Wonderland, Let it Snow, Have Yourself A Merry Christmas and Jeff's Nuts Roasting.