Highworth Jazz

02/07/2024

The Monday jazz night returns next week with the fabulous Nicola Harrison!
Nicola played for us late last year but proved to be so popular that we decided to get her back as quickly as we could, she will be part of the Nicola Harrison Quarters and joined by Rory McInroy on piano/keys, Steve Kershaw on bass and Noah Stone on the drums.
I cannot wait!
Monday 8th July from 8pm
Free entry (of course)

01/07/2024

I don't know if anybody has been keeping tabs on this but July 2024 marks the 5th anniversary of having monthly jazz evenings in Highworth.
From the humble beginnings in The Highworth Hotel where 'Shades of Silver' played, through months when nobody knew if live music was going to be possible with the emergence of COVID19. The evenings changed location to our current home at the brilliant Wine Bar at 12 High Street, the music has denied the odds and has attracted some fabulous musicians.
We've had saxes, trumpets, trombones, pianos, guitars, double basses, electric basses, drums, percussion, organs, singers, storytellers, jokers, and even a violin grace the little corner of the basement bar.
Yes it's been a tight squeeze but it's been a joy speaking to audience members who come month after month to listen to whoever we find to play.
A huge thank you to every musician that has played for us.
A huge thank you to everyone that has bought a drink, pulled up a chair and appreciated the music.
And, lastly, a huge thank you to Rob and the staff of The Wine Bar for supporting live jazz.
I suppose we had better start organising the next five years...

01/07/2024

Currently doing some much needed housekeeping to the page, there will be a new look to the page and a snazzy new poster design so keep your eyes open for details for July's jazz night.

04/06/2024

There is no jazz this month (we thought you might be all jazz'd out after the fabulous festival that the town hosted - wasn't it great?!)
BUT we're working on the summer schedule and we'll be returning as usual with Nicola Harrison on July 8th.
Maybe a Sunday afternoon session over the summer too...
Watch this space.

04/06/2024

My head is like a sieve at the moment but FINALLY I have gotten around to uploading some photos from May's jazz night, music from Chameleon and fantastic photos from Pete Wilson.

09/05/2024

Another month means another jazz night at The Wine Bar!
This coming Monday we welcome Oxfordshire band 'Chameleon' - a four piece of Keys, bass, drums and guitar. We've been trying to get them to play for us for months but the dates have never quite aligned but thankfully they're able to make their debut on Monday 13th May.
Free entry and music starts at 8pm.

11/04/2024

Pictures from Monday!!
A HUGE thank you to the lovely woman who took the time (and found some space so not to block peoples' view) to take some snaps.
Ooh we love a moody shot...

09/04/2024

A big thank you for those of you that came to The Wine Bar last night and supported Shades of Silver. It was fantastic to see so many people and there should be some photos of the evening to share soon...

08/04/2024

Live jazz is TONIGHT!
Shades of Silver will be at the Wine Bar from 8pm.
The entry is always free and the drinks are always available, see you there.

04/04/2024

March proved to be an extremely busy month so I'm soooooooooooo far behind in letting you know the plan for April's jazz night at the Wine Bar, but rest assured it promises to be a belter!
Shades of Silver are rocking up to deliver some soulful groovy jazz in the only way they know how so expect some sexy sax, some poetic piano, some gorgeous guitar, bottomless bass and driving drums (phew, that wasn't easy!)
Music starts at 8pm, free entry of course...

08/03/2024

There is a change to Monday's jazz band, unfortunately 'Skylarks' are unable to make the date (but don't worry, we'll definitely get them before the end of the summer!) but local multi-instrumentalist Tawanda Mapanda is stepping in to showcase his style of jazz.
We had planned to have him play later in the year but as he was able to play, we nabbed him, this should be a great evening of spontaneous music.
Still free entry
Still 8pm start

05/03/2024

We're on countdown to when jazz vocal group 'Skylarks' make their first visit to The Wine Bar for an evening of entertainment for our monthly jazz night.
Drums, bass and guitar will support the mini choir of three vocalists so it could be something very impressive.
As usual entrance is free and it all starts at 8pm.
Monday 11th April, see you there.

19/02/2024

Ladies and gentlemen, the tickets for the first ever Highworth Jazz Festival are now on sale!
There are only 350 tickets so if you intend on going, snap them up!
Follow this link... https://highworthjazzfestival.com/?fbclid=IwAR3o5FUZw51V-XNwWMiYc1zvyRjC_QcsVImUEIsjTU6QM103_VwKTKpna94

We are delighted to announce the launch of the Highworth Jazz Festival. The festival will take place on the 1st June 2024 and will be centred around the High Street, bringing over 30 great jazz musicians and events to our town.

12/02/2024

Here we go!

12/02/2024

JAZZ TONIGHT!
8pm at The Wine Bar with the superb 'Groove Alchemy'.
We had over 140 people at St Michaels church at the end of January to support jazz in Highworth, how many can we expect in the basement bar....?

09/02/2024

Cannot WAIT for Monday evening to come around, 'Groove Alchemy' start at 8pm at the Wine Bar for some toe-tapping jazz!
Come along and enjoy the music.

05/02/2024

One week today - that's 12th February - we welcome the return of 'Groove Alchemy' to the wine bar, for those with poor memories the band is sax, drums, piano and bass (and are featured as the banner photo at the top of this page) expect groovy sax solos, solid rhythms and a twinkle or two from piano player Rory.
Free entry and music starts at 8pm.

08/01/2024

Just to remind you all, there is NO JAZZ tonight at The Wine Bar.
Enjoy your Monday

06/01/2024

*IMPORTANT INFORMATION*
Sorry to have to do this but Monday Night Jazz is CANCELLED 😭
We had some musicians lined up to attend but a mixture of flooded routes (one currently has a kitchen under 6" of water!), illness and bad timings we just don't have enough musicians available.
Obviously the bar is still open, still serving a great selection in wines, ales and beer snacks but no jazz this Monday.

05/01/2024

I'm sure you already know that there is a Jazz Festival being planned for June 2024 BUT did you know there is a very special gig happening at the end of this month??
This event is directly linked to the upcoming festival and is an ideal opportunity to support the festival AND watch an amazing group of musicians on your doorstep.

04/01/2024

HELP!!!!!
We need some more jazz musicians for Monday's Jazz Jam.
If you are a horn player, a guitarist, a keys player or fancy yourself as a jazz singing genius, get in touch...

20/12/2023

Soon we'll be tucked up in a dark room, surrounded by jazz records, mince pies and relatives complaining about the jazz records but before we wind down the years music events can I put a call out for anybody that would like to join us for the Jazz Jam on Monday 8th January, please do get in touch.
Thanks

05/12/2023

And the January JAZZ JAM!!!!
8th January... share with any musician friends please.

05/12/2023

Busy, busy, busy, almost forgot to post about the upcoming Highworth Jazz night on 11th December (that's NEXT Monday!!) but we've got a belter of a band to see out 2024.
If you were lucky enough to catch this band during the summer at one of the Sunday Sessions you'll know that you won't want to miss this...
The Hopkins Hammond Trio!
Free entry and music starts from 8pm.

15/11/2023

A little video from Sunday's jazz...
Gary Bamford Trio

13/11/2023

Some spellbinding sounds from the Gary Bamford Trio yesterday afternoon, what a treat it was to have them bring their recipe of hocus pocus to the Wine Bar.
Here are some photos from the set, videos hopefully to follow...

No jazz this evening but we finish off 2023 with a fantastic Bristol trio on Monday 11th December.