March Newsletter 2020

 

SPJC Newsletter  MARCH 2020

Hello jazz fans! Here we are in March, famous for March winds (followed by April showers)… erm, didn’t we already have those in February??
But this month is so much more than just howling winds. After months of drabness in the gardens, March is also the time for beautiful daffodils and blossom trees to give our hearts a lift, the distinctive scent of hyacinths, fabulous early rhubarb to tickle your taste buds (rhubarb gin anyone?), and lovely little furry tree catkins (hands up if you remember the Nature Table at school).
(Yes, you can put your hands down now, thank you).
So that’s sight, smell, taste and touch covered, only sound to go – so let’s see what fantastic musicians will be blowing in to SPJC this March!

*** STOP PRESS: Advanced notice of a lovely fund-raising concert Neal is doing with his “Not King Cole” show,  for Chaseley Trust Home, at the Birley Centre, Eastbourne on Friday April 17th. Details/tickets here:  
https://www.chaseley.org.uk/fundraising/all-that-jazz-music-concert/ ***

SOLO PIANO GIGS:

HASTINGS – Friday March 6th
Maxine’s Bar and Restaurant at Bannatynes Hotel, Hastings (Battle Rd, St Leonards-on-sea TN38 8EA) is the place to find Neal playing solo piano/vocals on Friday 6th March for their Gin and Jazz night. The music starts at 7pm, and it’s a very stylish venue, with a huge variety of gins (maybe even the afore-mentioned Rhubarb Gin…) and although you will have to buy your drinks, the music is free! Ask Neal to play a request or two, he’s always happy to oblige. Well, nearly always…
There’s plenty of free on-site parking at Bannatynes, so no worries there.

Also at Bannatynes on 22nd March, Neal and lovely Jane Tuff (sax) are playing for a special Mothers’ Day lunch, from 12.30pm.  Book a table on 01424 851222

ALFRISTON – Dates throughout the month
Book a table on 01323-870248 at Deans Place Hotel, BN26 5TW   

Fridays & Saturdays 6.30pm Dinner Jazz @ Deans Place Hotel:
7th, 13th, 14th, 20th, 21st, 27th, 28th – Neal

    6th – Rod Hart

Sunday Lunch Jazz 12.30pm:

15th, 29th – Neal

1st, 8th, 22nd Rod Hart

AROUND THE CLUBS:

SEAFORD – Wednesday March 11th
at the View (Seaford Head Golf Club, BN25 4JS), has the great Andy Williams (guitar) guesting with Neal’s trio on Wednesday March 11th with the music starting at 7pm. Andy has worked with many of Britain’s finest musicians, including guitarist Martin Taylor, vocalist Liane Carroll and saxophonist Alan Barnes. He has performed at many major venues worldwide and can boast performances at both the Blue Note Jazz Club and BB King’s Bar in New York. At home Andy has played Ronnie Scott’s Club, the Royal Festival Hall, the Royal Albert Hall and the Rock Garden in London, amongst other top venues.
He’s an incredibly busy performer, so we’re lucky to have snapped him up for a gig at The View. Neal’s trio on the night features Miles Danso (bass) and Javier Forero (drums).
Dinner is available at The View, provided you book in advance on 01323 890139. Or just come to listen and be entertained. The music starts at 7pm, on Wednesday March 11th.
There’s free parking right outside the door, and inside The View you’ll get a great welcome.
Tickets are £10, buy on the door on the night or in advance from WeGotTickets.com (booking fee applies).

BRIGHTON – Thursday March 19th
at The Walrus, (10 Ship Street, BN1 1AD) plays host this month to a very special guest, on Thursday March 19th when the amazing Adam Glasser (harmonica) joins Neal‘s trio. Brought up in South Africa, Adam’s first instrument was piano, with his musical education taking place in Paris, and Berklee College of Music (Boston USA). Tours in Europe and the UK, and an award for jazz piano led to more prestigious gigs and venues. In the 1990s Adam started playing the chromatic harmonica, and his musical career took on a different slant. He’s filled in twice for Stevie Wonder, played on many film and TV scores, and in 2014 was invited by Hugh Masekela to be his pianist when the legendary South African trumpeter was awarded an Honorary Doctorate at the University of York. Adam’s South African roots are never far away in his repertoire, which often includes the lively rhythms of township music.
Playing with Adam and Neal on the 19th will be Nigel Thomas (bass) and Sophie Alloway (drums).
The music starts at 7.30pm on Thursday March 19th , tickets are £10 (which includes your first drink), and you can buy in advance from thewalrusbrighton.com/#bookatable  or on the door on the night.

LONDON – Friday March 20th
On 20th March you might fancy having a day out in London, where Sue Richardson will be playing in Alex Webb’s show ‘Billie’, the fabulous biog of Billie Holiday. The venue is ‘Under The Bridge’, Chelsea, (and it’s actually in Chelsea football ground…)
And if you’re travelling in a westerly direction this month you might like to know that Sue  will be in Bath at the St James Wine Vault, on 26th March (gig starts at 8pm), and the following evening she’s off to Somerset to play at the Ilminster Arts Centre with Andy Panayi and the Dave Newton Trio, where the music starts at 8pm.

EASTBOURNE – Wednesday March 25th
The Fishermen’s Club, Royal Parade, BN22 7AA continues on the last Wednesday of the month and we’ve got a cracker for you on Wednesday March 25th when drummer Gaz Hughesbrings his ‘Homage to Art Blakey’ Quintet to town. The first jazz album Gaz bought was ‘Art Blakey Live’ – still one of his most-played and treasured albums. To say he’s a fan of Art’s is an understatement!  And just look at the line-up he’s got in this band:  Alan Barnes and Dean Masser (saxes), Bruce Adams (trumpet), Andrezej Baranek (keys), Ed Harrison (bass) and Gaz himself of course, on drums. They’ll be playing loads of tunes famously associated with Art Blakey; including timeless and much-loved tracks by composers such as Bobby Watson, Wayne Shorter, Freddie Hubbard and Curtis Fuller – you’ll know many of them, though there may be a surprise or three along the way…
This gig will definitely be popular, so you might want to book ahead to be sure of a seat. The music starts at 8pm on Wednesday March 25th , tickets are £10, on the door on the night or in advance from WeGotTickets.com. (booking fee applies).
Loads of free parking right outside the door and drinks at club prices!

*NEW VENUE* 
BROAD OAK (near BATTLE), Wednesday March 25th
Our newest venue The Broad Oak replaces the Bull at Battle as the lovely landlords Al & Kerri have moved to this new pub and refurbished it!
And, we’ve put a lovely baby grand piano in there to celebrate.
Come and see what the fuss is about for our first gig there, when Neal’s first guest will be the beguiling Jane Tuff (tenor sax). 
By the time she left school Jane was already working in Big Bands and soul bands. After studying at the London College of Music and the Royal Academy of Music, she went on to play in West End and touring shows, European shows, Big Bands and various ensembles. She is also a renowned teacher of all woodwind instruments. Neal and Jane have worked together a lot as a duo, and developed that lovely rapport which only comes when musicians are happy and comfortable with each other. They are, and you will be too when you hear the music they make.
Jazz at The Broad Oak is free to diners and you are advised to book in advance on 01424 882700
Website www.thebroadoak.co.uk
email :info@thebroadoak.co.uk
The music starts at 7.30pm on Wednesday March 25th . You definitely deserve a treat, and this gig (with lovely food to go with it) will be just that.

And if you can’t make the 25th, you can still see Neal and Jane together at:
Buxted Park Hotel, on Sunday 1st March, at 12.30pm, or for
Bannatynes Hotel, Mothers’ Day, Sunday 22nd March at 12.30pm.

AND FINALLY… advance news!  This year our very good friend Brian O’Connor is celebrating his first 50 years in jazz photography. Fifty years! Imagine! When Brian first got behind the lens we were only just starting to use decimal currency in the UK, clad in our super-trendy hot-pants and bell-bottomed trousers. If you go along to the Clocktower Gallery (9 Katherine St, Croydon, CR9 1ET) between 6th April and 1st May you will be able to see an exhibition of Brian’s splendid photos, and it’s totally FREE. From Stan Getz to Xhosa Cole, he’s captured them all for posterity. There is even a chance Brian will be wearing his bell-bottomed trousers when you go. Mark the dates in your diary!

Much to look forward to in March around the SPJC empire!
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.
@splashpointjazz
Copyright  2020 Splash Point Music, All rights reserved.
You received this email as you requested newsletters (from Ask Jazz, Splash Point Jazz Club and Splash Point Music). We do not wish to spam you so please do unsubscribe if you wish to and accept our apologies for interrupting you.Our mailing address is:

Splash Point Music

25 Clinton Place

Seaford, England BN25 1NP

United Kingdom

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February Newsletter 2020

 

SPJC Newsletter  FEBRUARY 2020There’s one subject we’re definitely not mentioning… So, on with the other news…Love is in the air – it’s that month of hearts and flowers again, with Valentine’s Day giving a trade boost to florists, chocolatiers and greetings cards makers throughout the land. And why not? Who doesn’t like to receive a little something to show they’re loved?
This year being a Leap Year, we get an extra day, too – traditionally the one day every four years when ladies get a chance to propose marriage (no figures available for how many get accepted.)  And pity the poor babies born on February 29th (‘leaplings’), who only get a real birthday once every four years. The odds of being born a leapling are 1 in 1,461, so that makes them pretty rare and special. And possibly slimmer, since they don’t get a  birthday cake every year (officially…)
Neal would be delighted to celebrate Valentine’s with YOU, (see below), just bear in mind he likes vegan dark chocolate, pink Prosecco, and his favourite flowers are tulips (Now you KNOW he doesn’t write this stuff).

Aside from that, we can promise that you’ll fall in love with ALL our special guests this month, because they’re a gorgeous, adorable bunch.
OK, bang that gong, here are The February #splashpointjazz Listings!

*** STOP PRESS: Advanced notice of a lovely fund-raising concert Neal is doing for Chaseley Trust Home, at the Birley Centre, Eastbourne on Friday April 17th. 
Details/tickets here:  https://www.chaseley.org.uk/fundraising/all-that-jazz-music-concert/ ***

SOLO PIANO GIGS

Friday February 7th , Hastings
Maxine’s Bar and Restaurant at Bannatynes Hotel & Spa, Hastings (Battle Rd, St Leonards-on-sea TN38 8EA) features Neal playing solo piano for their Gin and Jazz night.
Lovely venue for a proper night out, get yourselves all dressed up – and decide in advance who the designated driver is because they’ve got a huge range of gins, including some pretty unusual ones. The music starts at 7pm, and both parking and gig are free.

Friday February 14th , Hastings. Jazz Duo
It’s Valentine’s night, and you’re looking for somewhere special to take your beloved for a romantic meal. Where better than Maxine’s Bar/Restaurant at Bannatynes Hotel & Spa? 
Neal and double bassist Oz Dechaine will get you into a romantic mood this extra special  Gin and Jazz night, playing some of those ballads and jazz standards that speak of love… Be there by 7pm, music and parking totally free of charge.

Alfriston

Dates throughout the month at Deans Place Hotel, BN26 5TW   
Book a table on 01323-870248

Neal Richardson – Dinner Jazz @ Deans Place Hotel, Fridays & Saturdays 6.30pm:

1st, 8th, 15th, 21st, 22nd, 28th, 29th

Sunday lunches 12.30:

2nd , 9th , 16th, 23rd

Rod Hart – Dinner Jazz @ Deans Place Hotel, 6.30pm:

7th, 14th – Valentine’s Day

AROUND THE CLUBS:

Wednesday February 12th, Seaford
It’s a welcome return visit to The View, Southdown Road, BN25 4JS for one of our favourites, the great trumpet/flugelhorn player Graeme Flowers, with Neal‘s Trio: Nigel Thomas (bass) and Phil Crabbe (drums)
An ‘A’ list performer, Graeme has been on a world tour with Kylie Minogue, plays regularly with Kyle Eastwood (bass-playing son of Clint, in case you didn’t know…), has played all the major UK jazz clubs, and can often be seen on our TV screens as part of Dave Arch’s fabulous ‘Strictly’ band. So you can imagine it’s a thrill for us when he plays SPJC, and no wonder we love him to bits.
If want to eat at The View before the gig (and plenty of people do…) give them a buzz beforehand (01323 890139) so they know how many knives and forks to set out.
The music starts at 7pm, on Wednesday February 12th, tickets are £10, on the door on the night or in advance from WeGotTickets.com. (booking fee applies).

Thursday February 20th, at Brighton
Not one, but TWO special guests for February at The Walrus, (10 Ship Street, BN1 1AD), and appropriately enough for the month of love – a married couple!
Jo Fooks (tenor sax), and Buster Birch (drums) make a great partnership, in every sense of the word, including musically.
Jo  won ‘The Young Scottish Jazz Musician of the Year’, and then went on to study saxophone at the Guildhall School of Music in London and the Berklee School of music in Boston USA. Her mellow tone is often compared to Stan Getz and Zoot Simms.
Buster studied drums and percussion at the University of London and later at the Guildhall School of Music. He moved to New York where he gigged and continued his studies at the drummers collective in Manhattan, and privately with Jo Morello (from Dave Brubeck’s famous quartet).
These are impressive qualifications, folks! And with Neal (keys) and Marianne Windham (bass) on the gig we think we’ve got a winner on our hands.
Jazz at The Walrus is in the room downstairs, which has a really nice jazz-club vibe and a selection of excellent food available. The music starts at 7.30pm on Thursday February 20th, tickets are £10 (which includes your first drink), and you can buy in advance from thewalrusbrighton.com/#bookatable  or on the door on the night.

Wednesday February 26th , Eastbourne
It’s another double-bill at The Fishermen’s Club (Royal Parade, BN22 7AA) in February  when the lovely Jacqui Hicks (vocals) teams up with long-time collaborator and ace sax player, the ever-lovely Art Themen (‘Be still my beating heart…’ quoth Annette…)
Jacqui has toured the world with leading jazz funk band Shakatak, singing and also playing sax and flute for them. Art has played with just about anyone you care to name, and for forty years, until his retirement, he combined a career as a consultant orthopaedic surgeon with his ‘night job’, as a leading jazz musician. Jacqui and Art played in a trio format for many years with the late, great pianist John Critchinson, and are always happy to be performing on stage together again.  We’re lucky to be hearing them in Eastbourne with Terry Seabrook (keys), Paul Whitten (bass) and Alex Eberhard (drums).
Doors open at 7.15pm on Wednesday February 26th and the music starts at 8pm, tickets are £10, on the door on the night or in advance from WeGotTickets.com. (booking fee applies).
Loads of free parking on site and drinks at club prices.

Wednesday February 26th, Battle 
Another winning February combination is at The Bull Inn (27 High Street, TN33 0EA), when you can hear Neal playing there on the 26th with excellent guitarist Luke Rattenbury. Luke studied jazz at Chichester and Leeds and is a mainstay of the Brighton jazz scene, playing regularly in various Afro-Cuban acts as well as guest appearances in mainstream bands across UK jazz clubs and festivals.
The music starts at 7.30pm on Wednesday February 26th and it’s free to diners, but you should phone 01424 775171 beforehand to book a table – which you won’t regret because not only is the food at The Bull very good, it’s one night when you won’t have to cook for yourself or wash up afterwards. Result!

AND FINALLY, whether you’re with others or not this Valentine’s Day, have a super day and month with some great music, and let’s concentrate on love and kindness 🙂

Please keep supporting live jazz in Sussex in 2020!

The Splash Point mob.
@splashpointjazz
Copyright  2020 Splash Point Music, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you signed up to our newsletter (ASK Jazz, Splash Point Music and Splash Point Jazz Club). We really don’t want to spam you so please do unsubscribe and accept our apologies for interrupting you.Our mailing address is:

Splash Point Music

25 Clinton Place

Seaford, England BN25 1NP

United Kingdom

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November Newsletter 2019

 

SPJC Newsletter  NOVEMBER 2019

If you were to ask the average person on the street ‘what’s the biggest event that springs to mind when you think about November?’ he or she would probably a) walk away thinking you were bonkers, or b) say something on the lines of Guy Fawkes/bonfires/fireworks.

However, if you ask a jazz fan the same question they are more likely to say ‘the London Jazz Festival, stupid!’ And they’d be right, because Guy Fawkes only takes up ONE day in November, whereas the LJF occupies a whole TEN days. This year it’s of special interest to us at SPJC because Neal’s fantastic ‘Not King Cole’ show plays two concerts on the opening weekend of the Festival: Sunday 7/11/19 (3pm and 7pm) at the fabulous art deco venue Crazy Coqs in Piccadilly.
And we mention it here because tickets for both shows are selling fast and we would hate you to be disappointed if you missed out. Here’s the link that will take you to ticket sales – LAST CHANCE!
https://www.brasseriezedel.com/live-at-zedel/neal-richardson-not-king-cole-2019?date=195804416

Of course there are lots of other lovely jazzy things happening in November. And to prove it, stand by for the SPJC listings for the month ahead!

AROUND THE CLUBS:

Wednesday November 6th , Seaford
As the smoke haze from the annual bonfire and firework displays clears, you’ll find us at The View, Southdown Road, BN25 4JS where Neal’s trio will be in action with November’s brilliant guest – Julian Marc Stringle. First appearing on TV with Acker Bilk at the tender age of fourteen, Julian went on to become a virtuoso jazz clarinetist. In addition to leading his own bands Julian’s career has seen him performing with Peanuts Hucko, George Chisholm, Kenny Ball, Don Lusher, Kenny Baker, Dame Cleo Laine & Sir John Dankworth, Digby Fairweather, Craig Milverton and many others. In Paris he arranged and conducted a big band album for Charles Aznavour and he’s also worked with Meatloaf and Tina Turner – versatile or what?? Julian has been nominated in the Best Clarinetist category in the 2019 British Jazz Awards. Oh and by the way, he also plays alto and tenor saxes, and sings… we’re beginning to think there is nothing this man can’t do, he’s probably knitting himself a Fair Isle sweater even as we speak… Alongside Neal will be Oz Dechaine (bass) and Phil Crabbe (drums).
The music starts at 7pm, on Wednesday November 6th, tickets are £10, on the door on the night or in advance from WeGotTickets.com. (booking fee applies).

Thursday November 14th , Brighton
The clarinet is obviously the in-vogue instrument this month at SPJC (see Seaford, above…) and clearly they start young on the road to clarinet-y fame. Special guest for November at Brighton is Adrian Cox, who left home aged fifteen, clarinet tucked under his arm, to pursue a career in music. Since then he has gone on to lead his own bands and to perform all over the UK, in Europe (remember Europe?) and in New York – with Wynton Marsalis!. If you were looking for one word to describe Adrian’s clarinet playing it would be ‘HOT’. Fitting then that we’ve got Adrian playing at our hottest new venue, (The Walrus, 10 Ship Street, BN1 1AD  01273-025749). Just shimmy down to the basement bar, where you’ll find a great vibe, really good food, and lovely staff who will look after you all evening. Neal’s trio are in residence, this month with  George Trebar (bass), and Buster Birch on drums. The music starts at 7.30pm on Thursday November 14th, tickets are £10 (which includes your first drink), and you can buy in advance from thewalrusbrighton.com/#bookatable  or on the door on the night.

Wednesday November 27th , Eastbourne
Special treat coming up at The Fishermen’s Club (Royal Parade, BN22 7AA), where the band for November is  Andy Panayi’s Gerry Mulligan Band. Andy put this group together in 1994 after getting a call from Ronnie Scott, who wanted him to take a band to the club – but said it could only be a quartet. Andy had the idea of using two horns on the frontline and making it a piano-less quartet, and from there it was a short hop to the repertoire of Gerry Mulligan. Three of the original band members will be at Eastbourne: Andy (baritone, tenor, flute), Mark Nightingale (trombone), and Simon Woolf (bass). And just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, on drums will be the fantastic Pete Cater. The Gerry Mulligan Band have performed on and off ever since 1994, making this year their Silver Anniversary! That’s better than most couples achieve…
Doors open at 7.15pm on Wednesday November 27th 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 November 27th, Battle
We have regular SPJC supporters at all of our clubs, people who come no matter what the weather’s like and don’t like to miss a single gig – and Battle is no exception. Of course when you go there, you can see why. It’s cosy and welcoming, a bit like having a jazz club in your own home except that you don’t have to do the cooking. The Bull Hotel, Battle (27 High Street, TN33 0EA) is the venue, and each month Neal is there with a different guest. November’s not-to-be-missed guest is violinist Mike Piggott, and the only suitable adjective (and the second time it’s been used in this newsletter) is HOT. If you’ve never heard jazz violin, and if you want to experience the heat up close, get yourself along to Battle. 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 November 27th and you can be sure of a great night out, plus you won’t have to get your own dinner or wash up afterwards.

SOLO PIANO GIGS

Friday November 1st, Hastings
Maxine’s Bar and Restaurant at Bannatynes Hotel & Spa, Hastings (Battle Rd, St Leonards-on-sea TN38 8EA) features Neal playing solo piano and singing for their monthly Jazz & Gin night. The music starts at 7pm, and both parking and gig are free.

Dates throughout the month at Deans Place Hotel, Alfriston, BN26 5TW   
Book a table on 01323-870248
Friday Nov 1st: 6.30pm  Rod Hart
Sat Nov 2nd: 6.30pm  Rod Hart
Sun Nov 3rd: 12.30pm Neal Richardson
Fri Nov 8th:  6.30pm  Neal Richardson
Sat Nov 9th:  6.30pm  Neal Richardson
Sun Nov10th: 12.30pm  Neal Richardson
Fri Nov 15th:  6.30pm  Neal Richardson
Sat Nov 16th:  6.30pm  Neal Richardson
Sun Nov 17th:  12.30pm  Rod Hart
Fri Nov 22nd:  6.30pm  Neal Richardson
Sat Nov 23rd:  6.30pm  Neal Richardson
Sun Nov 24th:  12.30pm  Neal Richardson
Fri Nov 29th:  6.30pm  Rod Hart
Sat Nov 30th:  6.30pm  Neal Richardson

And don’t forget our good friends at @ComedySeaford have their brilliant gig at The View in Seaford Friday 22 Nov, Doors 7pm

AND FINALLY, November seems to be rich in festivals and events across the UK, not all of them musical. Here’s a selection of the most interesting and wacky ones:
Wales has a Gluten Free Food Show in Cardiff, and Edinburgh hosts the Wallace & Gromit Cheese Festival, whilst at the Barbican Centre you could go to the Battle of Ideas (?) or if you’re running out of ideas Manchester is the place to be for the Reggae Festival. There’s a Vampire Weekend taking place at Alexandra Palace, and if you fancy a quick bite Olympia is hosting the European Pizza and Pasta Show for two days, swiftly followed by The Language Show.  Finally, again at Olympia, there’s Pulse Europe 2019. Presumably in the light of recent developments that’ll be an irregular pulse this year.

And of course all across the country cities, towns and villages will be holding their annual Festival of Remembrance, and amongst all the madness that’s one November date we must never forget.

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.
Copyright  2019 Splash Point Music, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you signed up to our newsletter (ASK Jazz, Splash Point Music and Splash Point Jazz Club). We really don’t want to spam you so please do unsubscribe and accept our apologies for interrupting you.Our mailing address is:

Splash Point Music

25 Clinton Place

Seaford, England BN25 1NP

United Kingdom

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October Newsletter 2019

SPJC Newsletter  OCTOBER 2019

It’s a bit like Marmite, October. Some people love it, all those crunchy leaves and crisp mornings, and others hate it because it brings a whiff of winter. Here at Splash Point Music we love Marmite (oh my goodness, those Marmite roasted cashews! And Marmite Flatbreads!) but we’re split down the middle with October. And then of course at the end of the month there’s Halloween to enjoy… or endure… The one thing we’re unanimous about is that we’ve got some cracking gigs coming up this month.

FIRSTLY A REMINDER: Neal’s “Not King Cole” concerts are in the 2019 London Jazz Festival, Sunday 17/11/19 (3pm and 7pm) at the fabulous Crazy Coqs in Piccadilly:

https://www.brasseriezedel.com/live-at-zedel/neal-richardson-not-king-cole-2019?date=195804416

Tickets are selling ALREADY so please BOOK NOW to avoid being turned away!

OK, fanfare please from the back of the room, because here come The October Listings!

Wednesday October 2nd , Seaford

Our Seaford venue at The View, Southdown Road, BN25 4JS, is always popular, and rightly so. You can eat before or during the gig, there’s loads of free parking right outside the door, an astonishingly varied raffle (fights have broken out over some of these prizes folks), and before the light fades you can watch bunnies hopping about over the golf course. 

Oh yes, and there’s always a super-special guest with Neal’s trio. This month please come along and welcome alto sax player Matt Wates, a stalwart of the UK jazz scene since he won the Rising Star award in the 1997 BT British Jazz Awards. Matt’s Sextet won the Best Small Group award in 2001 and are still going strong. We think he might have another job on the side writing the jokes for Christmas Crackers – so we’re lucky to get him at this time of year (you’ll have to come on October 2nd to understand that remark…) Also playing will be Nigel Thomas (bass) and Sophie Alloway (drums). The music starts at 7pm, on Wednesday October 2nd , tickets are £10, on the door on the night or in advance from WeGotTickets.com. (booking fee applies). 

Friday October 4th, Hastings

Maxine’s Bar and Restaurant at Bannatynes Hotel & Spa, Hastings (Battle Rd, St Leonards-on-sea TN38 8EA) is the place to hear Neal playing solo piano for their monthly Jazz & Gin night. You might want to dress up a bit for this one, it’s a beautiful venue and Neal will definitely be wearing a jacket, at least to start with. Possibly also a tie. Maybe spats. Possibly trousers. Nice menu to choose from, gins-a-plenty and jazz likewise. The music starts at 7pm, and both parking and gig are totally free (you should probably buy at least one drink though… just a thought…) 

Saturday October 5th, Alfriston. * * NEW NEW NEW * *

We’re delighted to announce that those lovely people at the newly 4*rated Deans Place Country House Hotel have been so knocked out by Neal’s newly-refurbished piano there, that they’ve invited us to supply live music every weekend from today (Sat 5/10/19) 😃 It’s excellent fine-dining in an informal and intimate atmosphere in their beautiful Dining Room restaurant, with (usually) Neal providing the dinner jazz.  Music starts at 6.30pm

This is a try-out, so please do go along, and when you book mention that you’re going because of the live music! – Thanks!  Book a table on 01323 870248.

Sunday October 6th, Alfriston

What could be nicer than Sunday Lunch Jazz at Deans Place Country House Hotel, in the company of your favourite musician?  Well, we tried, we really did, but inexplicably neither Jamie Cullum nor Stevie Wonder were available. 

However, we were able to secure the services of the wonderful (you’ve guessed it…) Neal Richardson!  Lunch is served at 12.30pm, look on their website (www.deansplacehotel.co.uk) for the menu; book a table on 01323 870248

Wednesday October 9th, Bristol

Sue Richardson will be at St George’s Hall, Great George St, Bristol BS1 5RR with Alex Webb’s fabulous show ‘Billie Holiday at Carnegie Hall‘, starting at 8pm. This show just keeps rolling, people really love it, Billie’s legacy living on. Maybe you have family or friends living in Bristol? Or treat yourself to a couple of days away, there’s Brunel’s SS Great Britain, the Clifton Suspension Bridge and loads of other great stuff so you’ll easily fill the daytime.

Thursday October 10th , Brighton

If you haven’t yet been to the latest SPJC Brighton venue (The Walrus, 10 Ship Street, BN1 1AD  01273-025749) you really should give it a go. The music is in the downstairs room, which has a great jazz club feel about it, and a dedicated basement bar and staff so you haven’t got to keep trekking upstairs for your drinks. And the food there is very good indeed, waiter service straight to your table. Special guest for October is the wonderful Nigel Price (guitar). It’s impossible not to bring out the superlatives when talking about Nigel, he really is top-drawer, world-class, super-talented, multi-award-winning. Never before has a SPJC guest needed so many hyphens. You really don’t want to miss this one. Neal‘s trio for the night features  Dan Sheppard (bass) and Eric Ford (drums). 

The music starts at 7.30pm on Thursday October 10th, tickets are £10 (which includes your first drink), and you can buy in advance from thewalrusbrighton.com/#bookatable  or on the door on the night.

Friday, Saturday, Sunday October 11th, 12th + 13th, Alfriston * * NEW NEW NEW * *

Rod Hart is at Deans Place Country House Hotel for Dinner Jazz (see above, 5th), while Neal is working in Holland.

Friday/Sat music starts at 6.30pm. Sunday lunch 12.30pm.  When you book a table (01323 870248) please mention that you’re going because of the live music – thanks! 

Friday, Saturday, Sunday October 18th, 19th + 20th, Alfriston * * NEW NEW NEW * *

Rod Hart is at Deans Place Country House Hotel for Dinner Jazz (see above, 5th), while Neal is working in Devon.

Friday/Sat music starts at 6.30pm. Sunday lunch 12.30pm.  When you book a table (01323 870248) please mention that you’re going because of the live music – thanks! 

Friday October 25th , Chelsea

The inspiring new show Get Getz, with Sue Richardson (trumpet and vocals) and Katie Jungmann (sax) is appearing at The Pheasantry, Chelsea, on Friday October 25th. Tickets are £20, the music starts at 8.30pm and as The Pheasantry is a Pizza Express LIVE venue you can probably guess what’s on the menu.

We know you love Sue, surely you must like Stan Getz, and who doesn’t fancy a pizza now and again? Book yourself a table immediately.

https://www.pizzaexpresslive.com/whats-on/get-getz-the-music-of-stan-getz

Friday, Saturday, Sunday October 25th, 26th + 27th, Alfriston * * NEW NEW NEW * *

Neal is at Deans Place Country House Hotel for Dinner Jazz (see above, 5th). 

Friday/Sat music starts at 6.30pm. Sunday lunch 12.30pm.  When you book a table (01323 870248) please mention that you’re going because of the live music – thanks! 

Wednesday October 30th, Eastbourne

And so we find ourselves in Eastbourne at The Fishermen’s Club (Royal Parade, BN22 7AA), where the band for October is the Nigel Thomas Quartet. Now of course we all know bass player Nigel, he’s appeared at many a SPJC gig – but this is his own, very fine quartet, which features the mighty line-up of Paul Booth (saxophones, bass clarinet, flute),  Mark Edwards (keyboard) and Winston Clifford (drums). Really?? All of them on one gig?? Ever heard a bass clarinet before??… The Quartet’s recent album ‘Hidden’ had great reviews and it’s probably safe to say that some of the tracks will be featured on October 30th. 

Doors open at 7.15pm on Wednesday October 30th 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 October 30th, Battle – BATTLE FESTIVAL SPECIAL

Meanwhile, over at The Bull Hotel, Battle (27 High Street, TN33 0EA) Neal will be showcasing his Not King Cole Trio as part of the Battle Festival. If you missed the gig in August at Eastbourne (why??why??) this is another chance to catch Neal, Ciyo Brown (guitar) and Miles Danso (bass) doing their wonderful Nat-thing.  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 October 30th and is a featured highlight of Battle’s 2019 Arts Festival.

 

AND FINALLY, the nights are starting to draw in and apart from Strictly there isn’t a lot on the telly, so here’s a suggestion of how to pass the time in a legal and perfectly innocent way. If you replace the letter ‘L’ in Love, with the letter ‘H’, you get the word Hove. Apply this to song titles and you get some pretty interesting results… Some of our favourites are: ‘Hove For Sale’, ‘What Is This Thing Called Hove?’, ‘Like Someone in Hove’, and one for everyone familiar with travelling along the A27: ‘At Long Last, Hove!’

Have fun and let us know your favourites!

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.

@splashpointjazz

#splashpointjazz

EXTRA September Newsletter 2019

 

Yes, we know we said we wouldn’t bombard you with emails – and we don’t (and we won’t) but think of this as a sort of mid-term report. Or a letter from the Head telling you about Open Day.  But this is EXCITING NEWS and you’re hearing it first!

Neal is doing two shows with his wonderful ‘Not King Cole’ quartet at the London Jazz Festival. It’s on Sunday November 17th, 3pm and 7pm and the tickets have just gone on sale!

Both shows are at the fabulously Art Deco cabaret room the ‘Crazy Coqs’, at Brasserie Zedel, London. W1F 7ED. It’s just off Piccadilly Circus, and really easy to find. The interior decoration is jaw-dropping and it’s a lovely, intimate venue which is just perfect for Neal’s Nat King Cole tribute. There is VERY limited seating, so buy your tickets NOW while they still have some available. They are £25 each, which for a top London venue is not bad.
This is the blurb from the Crazy Coqs brochure, just released into the world and already getting plenty of  attention.

For all of pianist and singer Neal Richardson’s career, Nat King Cole has been hovering in the background, an ever-present inspiration. For two shows at Crazy Coqs, experience a tribute from one pianist and singer to the memory of another.

Rather than attempting to imitate Nat King Cole, the show is an honest and affectionate re-working of some of his greatest hits, with a biographical strand running throughout as Neal tells Nat’s inspiring and uplifting story.

Neal’s father, also a pianist, was a fan of Nat’s and so the young Neal grew up listening to classics such as Orange Coloured Sky, Mona Lisa and Sweet Lorraine. Not to put too fine a point on it, Nat’s music was the main reason why Neal wanted to become a professional pianist/singer in the first place. Whilst working in Los Angeles, he was privileged to have the opportunity to play Nat’s piano at Capitol Studios.

Should you wish to enjoy dinner or a light bite to eat before or after your show, Brasserie Zédel is located just across the foyer from Crazy Coqs. To book a table, please call 020 7734 4888 or visit us online at www.brasseriezedel.com/reservations.

BOOK YOUR TICKETS HERE:
https://www.brasseriezedel.com/live-at-zedel/neal-richardson-not-king-cole-2019?date=195804416   *

We really hope you can make it to the Crazy Coqs, Neal would love to see you there!
Copyright  2019 Splash Point Music, All rights reserved.
You received this email as you requested newsletters (from Ask Jazz, Splash Point Jazz Club and Splash Point Music). We do not wish to spam you so please do unsubscribe if you wish to and accept our apologies for interrupting you.Our mailing address is:

Splash Point Music

25 Clinton Place

Seaford, England BN25 1NP

United Kingdom

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September Newsletter 2019

SPJC Newsletter  SEPTEMBER 2019
Don’t pack your summer clothes away just yet – September’s going to be fine. We got this information directly from the BBC Weather Centre – so in other words you might not want to plan too many garden parties… Only joking, weather-people. Bring on the Indian Summer!Now, before we get into the nitty-gritty of who’s where this month DO NOT FORGET that ace jazz photographer Brian O’Connor has an exhibition of images on display at The Hawth, Crawley RH10 6YZ, from 3rd – 19th September. Just about everyone on the jazz scene in the UK and beyond over the past fifty years is there. It’s a huge milestone for Brian and we want to help him celebrate in style. Entry to the exhibition is free, and for opening times check the venue website www.hawth.co.uk  There’s also an very nice cafe there, and if you time it right there might be something going on in the auditorium to interest you too. Make a day of it, why don’t you.

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!

The Splash Point mob.
@splashpointjazz

August Newsletter 2019

SPJC Newsletter  AUGUST 2019
It’s what they refer to in the news world as ‘the silly season’. There’s nothing much going on in August so this is when the ‘man bites dog’ story comes into its own.
(And just to make it very clear, we would like to assure readers that no dogs, or indeed any other animals, were hurt in the making of this newsletter.)
But it is a bit silly this month: the kids are on school holidays, which is good or bad depending if you’re a kid, a parent, a teacher or the owner of an ice-cream parlour. Lincoln hosts a Steampunk Festival, Nottingham a Robin Hood Festival and the Isle of Wight tops them all with a Garlic Festival (yes, really!)
And closer to home, the Richardsons split up – for one night only – and Seaford Jazz Club goes temporarily dark. Read on, for more august SPJC August stories, and news of a centenary and a half-centenary…
Seaford SPJC is taking a holiday, just for August. Buckets and spades, swimmies and sunhats packed.
But fear not, we’re shaking the sand out of our shoes to get back to The View on Wednesday September 4th, when the fabulous Raul D’Oliviera is Neal’s special guest.
Friday August 2nd, Hastings
At Bannatynes Hotel & Spa, Hastings (Battle Rd, St Leonards-on-sea TN38 8EA) you will be able to hear Rod Hart playing solo piano for Jazz & Gin night in Maxine’s Bar & Restaurant. (Neal is out of the country. It’s only temporary though, he’ll be back before they raise the drawbridge…) This venue is a bit special, the hotel is set in lovely grounds and it’s all rather stylish and swish. Get there for 7pm, spend a bit of time perusing the selection of gins on offer – order some food if you like, it’s all excellent. Plenty of on-site parking at Bannatynes AND it’s a free gig!
Sunday August 4th, Alfriston
Sunday lunch was a bit of a thing with our parents wasn’t it? (anyone out there remember Two-Way Family Favourites? Educating Archie? No?? oh…you’re obviously all much too young. Or pretending to be…) But we seem to have got out of the habit these days. Revive that habit, get along to Deans Place Hotel, Alfriston and meet Rod Hart for Sunday lunch in the dining room! He’ll be playing the piano, you’ll be enjoying the roasties, there may even be apple pie and custard available for afters… Lunch is served at 12.30pm, book a table on 01323 870248, and then just relax and enjoy lovely food and music. The perfect combination.
Wednesday August 21st Brighton
The newest SPJC venue is  The Walrus, (10 Ship Street, BN1 1AD  01273-025749). It’s a pub, but it’s stylish and lovely, and we’re to be found in the downstairs bar. This month features Neal’s Trio with the irrepressible  Mark Bassey (trombone). Regarded as a highly versatile musician, Mark covers many styles from swing to bop as well as the more contemporary fields. Musical associations have included Julian Arguelles, Alan Barnes, Liane Carroll, Charlotte Glasson, Nikki Iles, the BBC Big Band, Terry Seabrook, Stan Sulzmann, Clark Tracey, Mike Westbrook and Kenny Wheeler.
Playing alongside Mark and Neal are David Beebee (bass) and Javier Ferero (drums).
Now here’s a handy tip for those of you who will be driving into Brighton and don’t relish the thought of trying to find a parking space in the town centre, and then paying loads for it: you can park at the Marina for nothing – and then get the number 7 bus into town! It’s a wizard wheeze and it works! The bus runs all night so you won’t get stranded. This tip comes to you FREE from one of our regulars – thank you Nick!
OR you can park in the Lanes car park for just £4.50 evening rate from 6pm.
The music starts at 7.30pm on Wednesday August 21st, tickets are £10, and you can buy in advance from thewalrusbrighton.com/#bookatable or on the door on the night.
Wednesday August 28th, Eastbourne
There’s a great evening of lovely music on the cards at The Fishermen’s Club, Royal Parade, BN22 7AA with Neal Richardson’s new show ‘Not King Cole’. For all of Neal’s career, Nat King Cole has been hovering in the background, an ever-present inspiration. Neal’s father, also a pianist, was a fan of Nat’s and so the young Neal grew up listening to NKC classics. Not to put too fine a point on it, Nat’s music was the main reason why Neal wanted to become a professional pianist in the first place. And on a visit to Los Angeles, he was privileged to have the opportunity to play Nat’s piano at Capitol studios – imagine Neal’s excitement!
So this tribute is a work of love, from one pianist/singer to the memory of another, in his centenary year (that’s Nat’s, not Neal’s…). Expect to hear many of his greatest hits – you’ll probably know them all – from the Quartet: Neal, Ciyo Brown(guitar), Miles Danso (bass) and Alex Eberhard (drums).
Doors open at 7.15pm on Wednesday August 28th  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.
*STOP PRESS* This show has been booked for the London Jazz Festival (Sunday 17th November 2019).
Book your tickets here: Brasserie Zedel  but do come and see it in Eastbourne first!
Wednesday August 28th, Battle
Meanwhile, with Neal performing in Eastbourne, over at The Bull Hotel at Battle (27 High Street, TN33 0EA) we’ve got Sue Richardson and Andy Drudy playing in the dining room. It’s free to diners (though you’ll need to book in advance on 01424 775171 to be sure of your table). The website shows their special menu for the night, (thebullinnbattle.co.uk), and frankly whatever they have on there it’s going to be good. The music starts at 7.30pm on Wednesday August 28th and we can promise you a great evening.
AND FINALLY, for those of you who like to plan ahead, here’s news of a great exhibition taking place in September. Our very good friend Brian O’Connor celebrates 50 years of Jazz Photography this year, and to mark this milestone a selection of his images will be on display at The Hawth, Crawley RH10 6YZ, from 3rd – 19th September.  From Freddie Hubbard to Laura Jurd, and Ronnie Scott’s to Love Supreme, the changing face of jazz and blues over five decades is captured in both colour and black and white. Free admission, for opening times see: www.hawth.co.uk.
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.
#splashpointjazz
Copyright  2019 Splash Point Music, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you signed up to our newsletter (ASK Jazz, Splash Point Music and Splash Point Jazz Club). We really don’t want to spam you so please do unsubscribe and accept our apologies for interrupting you.Our mailing address is:

Splash Point Music

25 Clinton Place

Seaford, England BN25 1NP

United Kingdom

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June Newsletter 2019

Splash Point Music | #splashpointjazz | Live Music

Splash Point Jazz News June 2019

Aah, lovely June! Our favourite month at SPJC because to us JUNE means CAKE. We have no less than THREE Splash Point birthdays within a week (Lemon Drizzle anyone? [plant-based of course]) so we take a little time out from jazz club duties to slice up and share out the jammy, fruity, yummy confections that come out of the SPJC kitchens. But rest assured that as soon as we’ve licked the last crumbs off our fingers (not near the piano please…) we’re back to business.

And here, the results of our cake-infused deliberations, are the highlights of a jazz-packed month.

First and foremost, we’ve got not one, but TWO pieces of exciting news this month!

*** Our New Website is up and running, all bells and whistles and some fancy technical wizardry – check it out at www.splashpointmusic.com. Have a good look round – you’ll find all our leaflets on the Events page – and do let us know what you think!  Looks good on your mobile too. There’ll be more pages added as we go, but we hope you like it. (www.splashpointjazz.club also takes you there).

A BIG thanks to Mark at www.design-m.co.uk for his excellent work on this – and the BEST EVER award-winning picture of Splash Point in a storm too – see if you can find it…

***  New Venue! We have moved SPJC Brighton by popular request to a cracking new venue in the city centre. The Walrus, at 10 Ship Street, is a gorgeous pub with a dedicated function room, an excellent food menu, and some really lovely staff. We’re excited about the move there, and would of course love you to come along and help us to make it a vibrant, buzzing club – as only you can. We’ve booked some absolutely top-drawer guests, see below for our opening night gig.  WE NEED YOUR HELP with this one, jazzlovers – please support this new gig so it gets off to a great start – THANK YOU ❤️  P.S. All the NCPs do an evening rate from 6pm now 🙂

Here are the June gigs, in date order and all their jazzy splendour: 

Sunday 2nd June,  Alfriston

Neal picks up the piano cudgels (?) to start the month playing and singing for your delight at the regular jazz lunch in The Dining Room,  Deans Place Hotel, Alfriston from 12.30pm. A very classy restaurant in a beautiful setting – book a table on 01323 870248.

Gosh, Sunday lunch out! When was the last time you did that? What a treat… take a friend, or take us all with you!

Wednesday 5th June, Seaford

You know the venue, it’s the aptly-named View (Seaford Head Golf Club, BN25 4JS) famous for its fabulous picture-postcard panorama, but also featuring good food (book in advance if you want to eat: 01323 890139) and masses of free parking on the doorstep.

Now, Neal is away for this month’s gig due to one of the afore-mentioned birthdays… BUT you will be in the exceedingly good hands of Terry Seabrook (piano) with his Latin/Brazilian London band T-Rio. With Davide Mantovani on bass and Tristan Banks on drums. We GUARANTEE this will be a superb gig!

The music starts at 7pm on Wednesday June 5th. Tickets are £10, buy on the door on the night, or in advance from WeGotTickets.com/splashpointjazz (booking fee applies).

Friday 7th June, Hastings

At Bannatynes Hotel & Spa, Hastings (Battle Rd, St Leonards-on-sea TN38 8EA) you will be able to hear Neal playing solo piano/vocals for Jazz & Gin night in Maxine’s Bar & Restaurant. It’s a free gig in a sophisticated place with fine dining, lots of gins, and plenty of on-site parking at Bannatynes too. So really no reason not to go!

Wednesday 19th June, Glasgow International Jazz Festival

A little further afield, Sue Richardson will be blowing her own trumpet in the opening show of the Glasgow International Jazz Festival (www.jazzfest.co.uk ). Sue’s again in David McAlmont’s “Bille Holiday at Carnegie Hall” concert, staged by our friends at Copasetic Productions ( copaseticfoundation.org )

Thursday 20th June, Brighton

Our inaugural SPJC gig at The Walrus, (10 Ship Street, BN1 1AD  01273-025749)  features  the incredible, world-class vibes maestro Roger Beaujolais as special guest with Neal‘s trio. Roger was a founder member of hugely successful jump/jive band “The Chevalier Brothers” and subsequently with pop band “Fairground Attraction” before jazz claimed him. Along the way he became a Professor of Music at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music & Dance and played on sessions with the likes of Robert Plant, Paul Weller, Morrissey, Kirsty MacColl, Alexander O’Neal, Neneh Cherry and far too many others to cram in here. Unbelievably, Roger is entirely self-taught – just goes to show what determination and a LOT of practice can achieve… tell your kids and grandkids… And your grandparents – e.g. Neal taught a gentleman jazz piano who started aged 79!

Neal’s Trio for this gig features Nigel Thomas (bass) and Eric Ford (drums).

The music starts at 7.30pm on Thursday June 20th, tickets are £10, and you can buy in advance from thewalrusbrighton.com/#bookatable  or on the door on the night.

Wednesday 26th June, Eastbourne

Two highly regarded jazz musicians, always in great demand, leading a classic straight-ahead jazz quartet – this is what you’ll find at The Fishermen’s Club (Royal Parade, BN22 7AA), when the Mark Crooks/Colin Oxley band hit town. Mark(sax/clarinet) has worked with a hugely diverse range of musicians, from Spike Robinson to Simon Rattle, Elaine Delmar to Lady Gaga and John Dankworth to John Wilson. Colin (guitar) is a real musician’s  musician, a fabulous accompanist and a brilliant soloist. The band is completed by Simon Thorpe (bass) and Matt Home (drums). Sure to be a popular gig, you may want to consider booking in advance for this one.

Doors open at 7.15pm on Wednesday June 26th 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, drinks at club prices, great sound (thanks Andy!), and a really friendly atmosphere at the Club.  WeGotTickets.com/splashpointjazz

Wednesday 26th June,  Battle

If you live closer to Battle than to Eastbourne you might want to check out The Bull Hotel Battle (27 High Street, TN33 0EA). This is a lovely venue, small but beautiful, and staffed by some of the nicest people in the business. This month Nealwill have as his special guest a man who’s not only a great musician but also a great entertainer. Just back from a Tour of the Far East, Jeff Williams (trombone/vox) is lively and fun – in other words he’s a very good foil for Neal!  (Ha bl**dy ha – Ed.]

The music at The Bull is free to diners but you are advised to book in advance (01424 775171) to avoid disappointment – Jazz Wednesdays have become very popular and we don’t want you to get there and find it’s all sold out. You can see the menu on their website  (thebullinnbattle.co.uk). The music starts at 7.30pm on Wednesday June 26th and what with the music and the food you’re in for a really good night out.

Saturday 29th June,  Eastbourne International Tennis Tournament

Jazz & Tennis!  For the TWELFTH year running, The Neal Richardson Band is the warm-up act for FINALS DAY at the LTA Intl Tennis Tournament! It’s a great occasion – champagne and picnics on the lawn right before the match… Buy a finals day ticket or even just a stroller and come and enjoy sunshine(hopefully), jazz and balls flying about…

LTA Eastbourne

One more thing – THANK YOU for all the lovely feedback about these Newsletters (a monthly wordfight between author Annette Keen and spoilsport Neal!)… Please do fwd this Newsletter to all yr friends and encourage them to come, and to sign up – through our NEW WEBSITE (did we mention that?! 😂)

One more once… Feedback from the May newsletter put us in our place as one reader found an extra Spring song in the title quiz. It was ‘Blue Spring Shuffle’ by Kenny Dorham and well worth your while to check it out. Well done sir, we owe you a drink!

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.

May Newsletter 2019

Splash Point Music | #splashpointjazz | Live Music

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.