Welcome to the May SPJC newsletter, and just for a change we’re starting this month with a quiz.
How many jazz tunes and standards can you name with the word Spring in the title? Give yourself two minutes. The clock starts ticking NOW…
At Splash Point we came up with six in the allotted time, they’re listed at the end of the newsletter. If you can think of any others please email and let us know! Isn’t this exciting?
Now, that’s quite enough excitement for the time being so settle down and take a look at our monthly round-up of who’s where around the Clubs.
First of all, a very special SPJC date, and a real coup for us to get these guys on their UK tour.
Friday May 17th ROTTINGDEAN
A different venue for SPJC: The Plough, Vicarage Lane, Rottingdean, Brighton BN2 7HD, and a chance to catch a couple of visiting US musicians on their ONLY gig in Sussex.
The Chris Hodgkins International Quartet is led by award-winning UK trumpet player Chris Hodgkins, with 29 year old South Korean pianist from New York, Jinjoo Yoo (“one of the most exciting pianists on the scene in New York”), headline guitarist Wayne Wilkinson (“one of the best, most underrated jazz guitarists in the USA”), and the UK’s own Alison Rayner on bass, winner of a Parliamentary Jazz Award in 2018. The band takes a fresh look at music ranging from lesser known standards to band originals.
Tickets for this outstanding gig are £10, buy on the door on the night or in advance from WeGotTickets.com (booking fee applies).
And now back to the beginning of the month:
Wednesday May 1st SEAFORD
The lovely View (Seaford Head Golf Club, BN25 4JS) really lives up to its name now that lighter evenings are here and you can see right across the golf course up to the cliffs.
Our special guest with Neal’s trio on Wednesday May 1st is the singer/guitarist Ciyo Brown. Born in Jamaica but a UK resident from the age of six months, Ciyo was a high achiever academically and is a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives – ask him anything about housing law and he’ll know the answer! But a professional music career has seen him playing in the theatre, on session recordings and live with a multitude of artistes including George Benson, Courtney Pine, Jean Toussaint, Jim Mullen, and the London Gospel Choir.
Playing alongside Neal and Ciyo are Oz Dechaine (bass) and Alex Eberhard (drums). Dinner is available at The View, provided you book in advance on 01323 890139. Or just come to listen and enjoy a drink or two. This is gonna be a really good one – so don’t miss out.
The music starts at 7pm. There’s free parking right outside the door. Tickets are £10, buy on the door on the night, or in advance from WeGotTickets.com (booking fee applies).
Friday May 3rd LONDON
The prestigious Cadogan Hall sees a lunchtime recital of Sue Richardson’s hugely popular Chet Baker musical biography “Too Cool”; The music starts at 12pm. Starring Sue Richardson trumpet/vocals, accompanied by Neal Richardson on piano and Andy Hamill on double bass. More details here https://cadoganhall.com/whats-on/genres/jazz-blues/
Friday May 3rd HASTINGS
Back from London to Bannatynes Hotel Hastings (Battle Rd, St Leonards-on-sea TN38 8EA), you will be able to hear Neal playing solo piano/vocals for Jazz & Gin Night on Fri 3rd May from 7pm. Free to diners, great food, classy bar and plenty of on-site parking at Bannatynes too.
Sunday May 5th ALFRISTON
Neal’s second solo gig of the month is at Deans Place Hotel, Alfriston BN26 5TW, where he is playing for Sunday lunch diners from 12.30pm. It couldn’t be easier to get a table, simply phone 01323 870248. Go on, give yourself a treat, you deserve to have your Sunday lunch cooked for you once in a while. We all do. See you there!
Thursday May 9th BRIGHTON
Brighton Marina, at The Master Mariner (BN2 5WD) on Thursday May 9th features SPJC favourite, super sax and even more (if possible) super flute player Andy Panayi as special guest with Neal’s trio. Recent weeks have seen Andy playing with the Big Bands of Tommy Smith, Mark Nightingale, and Len Phillips, as well as gigs with Alan Barnes, Jim Rattigan and many others. Andy can also often be found in the orchestra pit at the Cambridge Theatre in London, for the award-winning musical “Matilda”, and later this year he’ll be on tour again with Elaine Paige. But on May 9th, he’s all ours… Neal’s Trio for this gig features Paul Whitten (bass) and Phil Crabbe (drums). The music starts at 7.30pm, admission is FREE, and there’s a varied bar menu to choose from at the Mariner.
Friday May 17th ROTTINGDEAN
Don’t forget The Chris Hodgkins International Quartet is at The Plough, Vicarage Lane, Rottingdean, Brighton BN2 7HD
Wednesday May 29th EASTBOURNE
And it’s that man again, at Eastbourne jazz club, at The Fishermen’s Club, Royal Parade, BN22 7AA on Wednesday May 29th, when Andy Panayi’s Boptet are going to be serving up some cool bop classics from the ‘50s and ‘60s. With the exception of Andy (he’ll kill me for this…) it’s a young band, all up and coming stars: Sam Miles (sax), Jack Kendon (trpt), Duncan White (gtr), Oz Dechaine (bass) and Alex Pitt (drums). Not a grey hair between them. Meanwhile, up at the front… no, stop it. Experience counts too.
Doors open at 7.15pm and the music starts at 8pm, tickets are £10, on the door on the night or in advance from WeGotTickets.com. (booking fee applies).
No problem parking, it’s plentiful, it’s right outside the door, and it’s free. And to complete your evening’s enjoyment, drinks at club prices!
Wednesday May 29th BATTLE
It’s the same night, but a different location. Wednesday May 29th , at the Bull Hotel Battle (27 High Street, TN33 0EA) Neal will have as his special guest the wonderful Raul D’Oliveira, (trpt/vocals), Latin jazz officianado and all-round entertainer. Last month at the Mariner in Brighton Raul had them dancing at the back of the pub – never been known before!
The music at The Bull is free to diners but you are advised to book in advance to avoid disappointment as Jazz Wednesdays have become very popular and prone to selling out these days. Nice menu, good food and some lovely jazz vibes as well. Call The Bull on 01424 775171 to reserve a table. The music starts at 7.30pm.
QUIZ ANSWERS: Up Jumped Spring; Joy Spring; Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most; Spring is Here; It Might As Well Be Spring; You Must Believe in Spring
No prizes, just a warm glow of achievement if you got them all, or if you beat us!
We genuinely look forward to welcoming you to our jazz clubs, and hope to see you again very soon. Keep supporting live jazz in Sussex!
The Splash Point mob.