Well here we are then, wrapping up 2024 and, thanks to all of you, it’s been another successful year for Splash Point Jazz. We’ve had some cracking gigs over the year, brought you more than 100 musicians, taken you musically to South Africa, the Caribbean, New Orleans, New York, and presented everything from gypsy swing jazz, the Great American Songbook and some edgy originals – all without leaving the South Coast. Plus two new themed shows, and trips to London, Germany and Holland.
But there is really only one story in December of course, and we can’t swerve around it because it’s HUGE! Here’s a clue:
mince pies
Sorry, if you haven’t got it yet we’ll have to move on…
Some of the best and most loved songs were written for or featured in Christmas films – ‘White Christmas’, ‘Baby it’s Cold Outside’, ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (Neal’s favourite), ‘I’ll be Home for Christmas’ and loads more. You may get to hear some of them at our jazz club December gigs – details below. You certainly won’t be able to avoid Christmas songs completely over the next few weeks unless you stay at home with the radio and TV off until January…
Whatever Christmas means to you, be it tinsel and tofu(!), wintery walks, or just quality time with the family or friends, we hope you have a wonderful festive season and come back to us in January refreshed and ready for a New Year filled with the best of jazz.
And THANK YOU AGAIN for all your support this year 🙂
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PREVIOUSLY SEEN AND HEARD @splashpointjazz last month
Jane Tuff at our Seaford Splash Point Jazz Club, with (L-R) Neal, Oz Dechaine, Sophie Alloway (and see BBC pic below)
Tony Williams & Neal at Relais Cooden
BBC Young Jazz Musician competition 2024, with Sophie in the house band!(L-R) Alec Dankworth (who has played two of our clubs), George Johnson (one of the four finalists), Sophie
Neal & Miles Danso playing the annual Westminster Dinner
Splash Point Jazz Club, Eastbourne – They turned up! Turned out not to be just imaginary! 🤣
A fab night by “Neal’s Imaginary Friends”, friendships forged during Lockdown, paying homage to some they wish they had: George, Nat, Ray, Oscar, Dinah, Frank…
Thanks to:
Rob Palmer (gtr), Al Swainger (basses), Buster Birch (drums) and a guest spot from Andy Panayi (sax)
“Neal’s Jazz Night”. The bi-monthly Jazz night at Raffles, London
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THE LISTINGS @splashpointjazz
N.B. Correct at time of Press, but please always check our online calendarfor any last-min changes.
RESIDENCIES:
LONDON – Raffles Hotel at the OWO, 57 Whitehall, London, SW1A 2HB
Neal Richardson (piano/vocals) will be playing in The Drawing Room for Afternoon Tea Jazz, 3–7pm, on the following dates:
Bookings essential: https://www.raffles.com/london/
December Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursdays
3, 4, 5,
10, 11, 12 (+Jazz Night: Neal with Miles Danso)
17, 18, 19 (+Jazz Night: Neal with Miles Danso),
24, 25, 26, 31
COODEN – Relais Cooden Beach Hotel TN39 4TT
We are proud to present live music in the restaurant for lunch/cocktails overlooking the beach, at 12.30pm, on the following dates:
Table Bookings: 01424 842281
December Sundays
1st Alex Eberhard (gtr/vox)
8th Neal (pno/vox) with Miles Danso (bass)
15th Neal (pno/vox) with Jane Tuff (sax)
22nd Neal (pno/vox) with Sue Richardson (tpt/vox)
29th Fiona Hosford (harp)
SPLASH POINT JAZZ CLUBS AND OTHER GIGS:
Saturday 7th December 7:00pm Old Plough, Seaford
Dinner Jazz – Neal Richardson (pno/vox) with Miles Danso (double bass)
Come and relax with a bottle of wine at the coolest grown-up evening!
Seaford – The Old Plough, 20 Church St, BN25 1HG
Table Bookings: 01323 872921
Monday 9th December 7.00pm Splash Point Jazz Club, Seaford
Mark Bassey (trombone) with the Neal Richardson (piano/vox) Trio
feat. Miles Danso (bass) and Alex Eberhard (drums)
Don’t miss our Xmas Special with everyone’s favourite virtuoso trombone player, raconteur, wit and all round fabulous guy Mark Bassey! Book early!
Seaford – Splash Point Jazz Club, The View, Southdown Rd BN25 4JS. 01323 890139
www.wegottickets.com/splashpointjazz
Tickets are also available from Seaford TIC, Church St, Seaford 01323 897426
Thursday 12th December 6:15-8pm London
Neal’s Jazz Night @ Raffles – Neal (piano/vox) with Miles Danso (double bass)
Raffles Hotel at the OWO, 57 Whitehall, London
In the gorgeous Drawing Room, drinks & food available
Bookings essential: https://www.raffles.com/london/
Sunday 15th December 7.00pm Tottington Manor nr Henfield
Neal Richardson (piano/vocals) plays for Dinner Jazz in the exceptionally fine restaurant of the Hotel
Henfield – Edburton Rd BN5 9LJ
Table Bookings: 01903 815757
Wednesday 18th December 8:00pm Splash Point Jazz Club, Eastbourne
The Andy Panayi Big Band
Sold out here last Christmas, Andy’s band is back with more swinging arrangements of some of the greatest charts in the Big Band repertoire. Book early!
Eastbourne – Splash Point Jazz Club, at the Fishermen’s Club BN22 7AA
Doors 7:15pm www.wegottickets.com/splashpointjazz
Thursday 19th December 6:15-8pm London
Neal’s Jazz Night @ Raffles – Neal (piano/vox) with Miles Danso (double bass)
Raffles Hotel at the OWO, 57 Whitehall, London
In the gorgeous Drawing Room, drinks & food available
Bookings essential: https://www.raffles.com/london/
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LOOKING AHEAD to JANUARY:
Monday 13th January 7.00pm Splash Point Jazz Club, Seaford
Derek Nash (saxes) with the Neal Richardson (piano/vox) Trio
feat. Andy Hamill (bass) and Brad Webb (drums)
Derek Nash (saxes) is perhaps best known as a front line player in Jools Holland band – but Derek also leads six of his own bands (notably Sax Appeal), and is a great entertainer, composer, arranger, record producer and engineer too.
Playing with him tonight are Neal (piano/vox), the ever-popular Andy Hamill (double bass, and quite possibly kazoo and/or harmonica) and Brad Webb (drums – and 1st call for Tim Minchin, Jamie Cullum…).
Come and kick off the New Year in style!
Seaford – Splash Point Jazz Club, The View, Southdown Rd BN25 4JS. 01323 890139
www.wegottickets.com/splashpointjazz
Tickets are also available from Seaford TIC, Church St, Seaford 01323 897426
Wednesday 29th January 8:00pm Splash Point Jazz Club, Eastbourne
Rythme Futur is a four piece band led by bassist George Trebar, playing Swing, Jive, Gypsy Jazz & more!
Alongside George the line up is: Duncan Hemstock (clarinet), Nils Solberg (guitar and vocals) and Benoit Viellefon (guitar and vocals).
Expect to hear a blend of 1920s to 1940’s music with loads of panache & class.
Eastbourne – Splash Point Jazz Club, at the Fishermen’s Club BN22 7AA
Doors 7:15pm www.wegottickets.com/splashpointjazz
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So that’s it for this year – thanks for reading, thanks for supporting, thanks for listening!
Neal & The Splash Point Jazz Mob
@splashpointjazz
