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
