March is said to ‘come in like a lion and go out like a lamb’ and it’s certainly been the month for a lot of comings and goings in the jazz world’s revolving door of Life…
Jazz birthdays include Wes Montgomery, Bix Beiderbecke, Quincy Jones, Nat King Cole, Lennie Tristano, Marion McPartland, Sarah Vaughan, Thad Jones and Michael Brecker. Quite an impressive list by anyone’s standards!
The last chord faded away in March for Roy Ayers, Charlie Parker (aged only 34, what a tragedy that was…), Ellis Marsalis Jr, and our own ‘made in the UK’ bass player Len Skeat.
Miles Davis’ seminal album ‘Kind of Blue’ was recorded in March of 1959 and has since been considered one of the greatest jazz albums of all time and possibly the best selling. You all know some of the tracks from that album, even if you don’t realise where they’ve come from (though most of you probably do, because you’re a clever lot…)
So in jazz terms, March has been a busy month.
And so it continues to be, at least in the @splashpointjazz world. AND we have two new possibly-regular events:
A new monthly “Jazz Tea” event up at The View starting 26/3/26 🫖
A restaurant Dinner Jazz Duo at the beautifully-refurbished White Hart Hotel, Lewes on Friday 6/3/26
At Seaford SPJC on Monday 9th, we see the return of the amazing clarinettist and former child prodigy, the completely lovely Julian Marc Stringle. He’s playing with Neal (piano), Nigel Thomas (double bass), and in a change to our published programme, Alex Eberhard on drums.
And at Eastbourne SPJC on the 25th you can see the Andy Urquhart/Andy Panayi quintet, with a look back to the 1960’s partnership of Kenny Dorham and Joe Henderson. They’ve got Phil Doyle (keys), Oz Dechaine (double bass) and Angus Bishop (drums) with them on this nostalgic ride.
The full listings are below, but before you dive headlong into them take a look back at some of the highlights of our February programme.
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PREVIOUSLY SEEN AND HEARD @splashpointjazz last month
In Chamber President mode, Neal had the great honour of meeting the King’s representative, the Lord Lieutenant of Sussex, at the King’s Award for Voluntary Service ceremony for the Friends of Bishopstone Station Group. Big congrats to them!
It included the use of 450 year old Town Mace given by Elizabeth I !
Neal’s Quartet played our favourite London club for Valentine’s weekend, Toulouse Lautrec.
With Jo Fooks, Miles Danso and Alex Eberhard.
In a surprise visit, our old chum Andy Drudy dropped in from Australia just for two gigs!
Here he is at Cooden with Sue and Neal
Neal & Miles Danso at the Old Plough in Seaford
The amazing Art Themen at Worthing Pier Jazz Night, with Neal, Marianne Wyndham amd Alex Eberhard
Alex again – this time on guitar/vox with Neal at Cooden.
Chris Ingham Trio played their terrific “Jazz music of Dudley Moore” show at our Eastbourne Club.
(Chris on piano, vocals and anecdotes; Malcolm Creese (bass) and George Double (drums); and Andy Panayi guesting on sax.
JAZZ CLUB GIGS IMMINENT
Monday 9 Mar – Splash Point Jazz Club, Seaford have Julian-Marc Stringle (clarinet) with the Neal Richardson Trio, feat. Nigel Thomas (bass) and Alex Eberhard (drums)
Wednesday 25 Mar – Splash Point Jazz Club, Eastbourne have the Andy Urquhart/Andy Panayi Quintet, feat. Phil Doyle (keys), Oz Dechaine (bass) and Angus Bishop (drums).
Wednesday 29 Apr – Splash Point Jazz Club, Eastbourne have the Zoe Gilby (vox) Quartet, feat. Terence Collie (keys), Nick Lenner Webster (bass) and Ted Carass (drums)
Monday 11 May – Splash Point Jazz Club, Seaford have the Neal Richardson Septet – celebrating his new project “The Light Catcher”
Wednesday 27 May – Splash Point Jazz Club, Eastbourne have Mark Nightingale and Freddie Gavita’s “Brass Generations” Quintet
Ticketed gigs are at. www.wegottickets.com/splashpointjazz
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THE LISTINGS @splashpointjazz
N.B. Correct at time of Press, but please always check our online calendar for any last-min changes.
(https://splashpointmusic.com/events/)
MARCH
1
Mar, Sun
12:30 – 15:00
COODEN BEACH – Jazz Lunch – Neal and Miles Danso (bass)
6
Mar, Fri
19:00 – 21:00
LEWES – Dinner Jazz – Neal Richardson Duo, White Hart Hotel
8
Mar, Sun
12:30 – 15:00
COODEN BEACH – Jazz Lunch – Neal and Andy Williams (gtr)
9
Mar, Mon
19:00 – 21:30
SEAFORD – Splash Point Jazz Club – Julian-Marc Stringle (clari) with Neal Richardson Trio
15
Mar, Sun
11:00 – 14:00
MEREWORTH Winery – Jazz Brunch – Neal Richardson solo pno/vox
12:30 – 15:00
COODEN BEACH – Jazz Lunch – Sue Richardson and David Beebee
21
Mar, Sat
19:00 – 21:00
HENFIELD – Jazz Night – Neal Richardson TRIO, Tottington Manor
22
Mar, Sun
12:30 – 15:00
COODEN BEACH – Jazz Lunch – Neal Richardson (solo piano/vox)
25
Mar, Wed
20:00 – 22:30
EASTBOURNE – Splash Point Jazz Club – Andy Urquhart/Andy Panayi Quintet
26
Mar, Thu
15:00 – 17:00
SEAFORD – Afternoon Jazz Tea with Neal Richardson (solo piano/vox) – The View
29
Mar, Sun
12:30 – 15:00
COODEN BEACH – Jazz Lunch – Sue Richardson (tpt/vox) + Andy Williams (gtr)
APRIL
4
Apr, Sat
19:00 – 21:00
SEAFORD – Old Plough – Neal Richardson (pno/vox) with Miles Danso (double bass)
5
Apr, Sun
12:30 – 15:00
COODEN BEACH – Jazz Lunch – Neal with Miles Danso
9
Apr, Thurs
12:00 —14:15
LONDON – Croydon Clocktower Jazz – Neal with Jo Fooks + Miles Danso
12
Apr, Sun
12:30 – 15:00
COODEN BEACH – Jazz Lunch – Neal and Sue Richardson (tpt/vox)
15
Apr, Weds
19:30 — 21:30
WORTHING – Adam Glasser with Alex Eberhard Trio – Jazz Night at Worthing Pavilion Atrium
19
Apr, Sun
12:30 – 15:00
COODEN BEACH – Jazz Lunch – Neal and Sue Richardson
22 — 26
Apr, Weds — Sun
GERMANY – JazzAhead at Bremen – Neal “Light Catcher” Project
26
Apr, Sun
12:30 – 15:00
COODEN BEACH – Jazz Lunch – Fiona Hosford (solo harp)
29
Apr, Wed
20:00 – 22:30
EASTBOURNE – Splash Point Jazz Club – Zoe Gilby (vox) Quartet
30
Apr, Thu
15:00 – 17:00
SEAFORD – Afternoon Jazz Tea with Neal Richardson (solo piano/vox) – The View
Thanks for helping us keep music live!
The Splash Point Gang
