Right, pay attention at the back! Here are The September SPJC Listings!
Sunday September 1st, Alfriston
There is something about a solo guitarist playing for diners that evokes holidays, a turquoise sea, sunshine, romance… Or, in the case of Dean’s Place in Alfriston – Sunday Lunch! One of our favourite musicians, Alex Eberhard, is the guitarist in question, and I know what you’re thinking. Alex is a drummer. Yes he is, and a great one at that, but an equally great guitarist/singer. (Honestly, these multi-talented people… Sigh.) See the website (www.deansplacehotel.co.uk) for a sample menu – including the divine-sounding Triple Chocolate Brownie Vanilla Pod ice cream, which we believe to be totally calorie-free. Lunch is served at 12.30pm, book a table on 01323 870248, and then just relax and enjoy the combined pleasures of yummy food and the delightful Alex. By the time you leave you’ll think you’ve been on holiday.
Wednesday September 4th, Seaford
The first and original SPJC at The View, Southdown Road, BN25 4JS brings back one of our favourite guests when Raul D’Oliviera returns to Seaford with his trumpet, vocal chords and a collection of percussion instruments and whistles the like of which you’ve probably never seen before. In addition to playing many other instruments including the cello, and teaching Samba classes, Portuguese-born Raul’s expertise is twofold: 1) Latin jazz – naturally! and 2) ensuring that his audience have a great night out. His success rate on both is a stonking 100%. Neal will be there of course, flexing his Latin chops, and sharing the fun on stage with him are Andy Drudy (bass) and Sam Glasson (drums). The music starts at 7pm, on Wednesday September 4th, tickets are £10, on the door on the night or in advance from WeGotTickets.com. (booking fee applies).
Free parking (and plenty of it) on site – plus of course those lovely views across the Downs, which money couldn’t buy anyway. If you want to eat before/during the gig contact The View on 01323 890139.
Friday September 6th, Hastings
Bannatynes Hotel & Spa, Hastings (Battle Rd, St Leonards-on-sea TN38 8EA) is the rather swanky venue where you can hear Neal playing solo piano for the monthly Jazz & Gin night in Maxine’s Bar & Restaurant. As you would expect with a title like that, there’s an extensive list of gins on offer, plus some delish food to choose from, if you’re feeling peckish. The music starts at 7pm, and it won’t cost you a penny to park your car or listen to the gig. Absolutely no reason not to go.
Saturday September 7th, Streatham
Sue Richardson appears in Alex Webb’s fabulous show ‘Billie Holiday at Carnegie Hall’ at the Hideaway in Streatham. Tickets are £15, the show is at 9pm. You can see all the info on www.hideawaylive.co.uk
Thursday September 12th, Brighton
Well here’s a scoop for SPJC! The fabulous singer Shireen Francis is coming to our newest venue The Walrus, (10 Ship Street, BN1 1AD 01273-025749). If you haven’t heard her before be assured that Shireen is most certainly the Real Deal. Initially singing Afro-Caribbean music, Shireen developed her own unique blend of jazz with flavours of gospel, blues, calypso and reggae. And if BBC Radio (no less) say that she’s “quite simply, one of the best British jazz vocalists of this generation” then you can probably rely on it! She’s played all the top London venues: Ronnie Scott’s, Royal Festival Hall, Royal Albert Hall, 606 Club and Pizza Express Dean Street – so you can imagine how thrilled we are to get her along to a Splash Point Jazz Club. Neal‘s trio for the night is: Himself (piano – maybe a bit of singing? Who knows…), Andy Hamill (bass) and Phil Crabbe (drums). What a band, you’ll kick yourself if you miss this one…
The music starts at 7.30pm on Thursday September 12th, tickets are £10, and you can buy in advance from thewalrusbrighton.com/#bookatable or on the door on the night.
Wednesday September 25th, Eastbourne
Special guest at The Fishermen’s Club (Royal Parade, BN22 7AA) for September is sax/clarinet player Robert Fowler, last seen there as one of Alan Barnes’ Christmas Carol band. But tonight it’s undiluted Robert! After joining the Pasadena Roof Orchestra in 1986 Robert spent the next ten years touring with the band throughout Europe, the USA and the Far East, and appearing as featured soloist on six of their albums. Since then he has worked with many other bands as well as leading his own. His style suggests a strong influence of some of the greats of the classic jazz era – notably Coleman Hawkins and Ben Webster – which has led to his reputation as a broad-toned, swinging tenor player. So this is another gig you’ll be wanting to catch! Appearing at the Fishermen’s with Robert are Terry Seabrook (keys), Paul Whitten (bass) and Phil Crabbe (drums).
Doors open at 7.15pm on Wednesday September 25th and the music starts at 8pm, tickets are £10, on the door on the night or in advance from WeGotTickets.com. (booking fee applies).
Free parking on site and drinks at club prices.
Wednesday September 25th, Battle
And just when you thought it couldn’t get any more exciting, along comes the lovely Tommaso Starace (alto sax) to play, and bandy banter, with Neal in the dining room at The Bull Hotel (27 High Street, TN33 0EA). You may have seen Tommaso recently at Seaford SPJC, in which case you’ll definitely want to be heading off to Battle for another taste of Italian jazz and disarming charm. If you missed Seaford though, you’re in luck because here’s your second chance. This gig is free to diners (though you’ll need to book in advance on 01424 775171 to be sure of your table). The music starts at 7.30pm on Wednesday September 25th and there is absolutely no doubt that you’ll have a fab evening in the company of Tommaso and Neal.
Friday September 27th, Orpington
Have a little run over to Kent for this gig. Sue & Neal’s Quartet, featuring ace drummer Buster Birch, and Eric Guy on bass. It’s at the Orpington Liberal Club, 7 Station Rd, Orpington BR6 0RZ, the gig start time is 8pm and ticket price £10.
AND FINALLY, there’s ‘September in the Rain’, which we probably all know, but who can remember Carole King’s ‘It Might As Well Rain Until September’? Really??? Gosh, that’s a surprise, we thought you were all spring chickens…
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!
@splashpointjazz