Guildford Jazz

25/04/2025

JAZZ IN THE VINEYARD
Saturday 7 June 2025

Proudly supporting Cherry Trees, providing a lifeline for families of children with complex disabilities.

Jazz in the Vineyard at the stunning High Clandon Estate Vineyard brings a celebration of the distinctively funky soul jazz of the late, great American pianist and composer HORACE SILVER, from an all-star quintet featuring some of the UK’s top jazz musicians!

Featuring award-winning UK jazz trumpeter Steve Waterman and Clare Hirst, a UK saxophonist with a distinguished career in pop and jazz music, along with the fantastic rhythm section of composer and pianist Andrea Vicari, Guildford Jazz founder Marianne Windham on bass, and Matt Fishwick on drums.

The Horace Silver Project promise to win you over with their all-action and swinging tribute to a founding father of soulful hard bop, including favourites from his enduring Blue Note recordings such as The Preacher, Song for my Father and Sister Sadie.

“How could anyone resist the powerful rhythmic drive of five virtuoso musicians at the top of their form playing music drenched with an intoxicating blend of bebop, blues, funky soul and gospel” – ***** Jazz in Reading

Bring along a delicious picnic or dig-in to one of our stone-baked pizzas, complete with a complimentary glass of Shakespearean Cuvée 2019 vintage on arrival.

All proceeds supporting the children and families who rely on Cherry Trees.

22/04/2025

One of our most popular – and certainly most virtuosic – guests returns to Guildford Jazz with his outstanding band: Nicolas Meier!

His ‘World Group’ has a unique sound, incorporating a meld of Middle Eastern, Turkish, jazz and fusion influences. Meier has had a glittering career, including three years of touring with Jeff Beck and subsequent recordings with Yellowjackets bassist, Jimmy Haslip and Sting/Zappa/everybody! drummer, Vinnie Collaiuta!

The World Group offers a massive range of colours: Nick himself plays various types of guitar (including his masterly work on the fretless and the fretless 11-string!), and the group benefits from the rich sonorities of Richard Jones’ electric violin and the keyboard wizardry of Alex Hutton. Completing the band is the super-versatile bassist, Tom Mason (Gwilym Simcock, Anoushka Shankar, Jamie Cullum, Lily Allen etc.) and the outrageously talented percussionist, Demi Garcia-Sabat!

Nick never fails to woo and wow an audience; this will be fabulous fare, and will be a gig that will sell out quickly. So really folks... BOOK NOW!!!

22/04/2025

LUNCHTIME JAZZ!
Monday 19 May 2025 at The Guildford Institute, Ward Street

May’s lunchtime trio jazz concert features guitarist NICOLAS MEIER and pianist ALEX HUTTON.
A rare opportunity to hear one of the world’s most original and uniquely talented guitarists, Nicolas Meier, in an intimate trio setting! Drawing from a love of Turkish, Eastern & Middle Eastern music, Flamenco, Tango, and more—all mixed with jazz— Nicolas’ versatility and musical fluency are well known and loved by Guildford audiences.

The performances are held in historic Assembly Room at The Guildford Institute . Lunch is available from 12 to 2pm, and the performance is a single one-hour set from 2 to 3pm, Capacity is limited so early booking is advised.

Tickets available now from the Guildford Jazz website!

22/04/2025

NEW SHOW!
ANDY BAKER & MARK LOCKHEART QUINTET
Wednesday 14 May 2025 at the Guildford Pavilion

An all star line-up featuring a rare UK appearance from trombonist, composer, arranger and educator Andy Baker, and the great tenor saxophonist Mark Lockheart, a ground breaking musician and a key figure in the development of British jazz, well known to jazz audiences from his performances with Loose Tubes and Polar Bear.

We are delighted to welcome Andy to Guildford for this rare UK performance! Tickets available now from the Guildford Jazz website!

11/04/2025

Another full house tonight for the Rod Youngs quartet with Denys Baptiste , playing some classic Blue Note jazz 🎶

07/04/2025

THE NICOLAS MEIER WORLD GROUP
Thursday 29 May 2025 at Guildford Pavilion

One of our most popular – and certainly most virtuosic – guests returns to Guildford Jazz with his outstanding band: Nicolas Meier!

His ‘World Group’ has a unique sound, incorporating a meld of Middle Eastern, Turkish, jazz and fusion influences. Meier has had a glittering career, including three years of touring with Jeff Beck and subsequent recordings with Yellowjackets bassist, Jimmy Haslip and Sting/Zappa/everybody! drummer, Vinnie Collaiuta!

The World Group offers a massive range of colours: Nick himself plays various types of guitar (including his masterly work on the fretless and the fretless 11-string!), and the group benefits from the rich sonorities of Richard Jones’ electric violin and the keyboard wizardry of Alex Hutton. Completing the band is the super-versatile bassist, Tom Mason (Gwilym Simcock, Anoushka Shankar, Jamie Cullum, Lily Allen etc.) and the outrageously talented percussionist, Demi Garcia-Sabat!

Nick never fails to woo and wow an audience; this will be fabulous fare, and will be a gig that will sell out quickly. So really folks... BOOK NOW!!!

26/03/2025

Guildford Jazz at the Boileroom
Our final show of BEAT series presents double header!
Motet & The Joe Garland Band
A celebration of jazz funk and soul!

MOTET
MOTET brings rich horn arrangements and high energy rhythms to well-known soul and jazz funk songs, from artists such as Tim Akers, Al Jarreau and Stevie Wonder. Composer arranger and drummer, Seb Guard, is the source of much of the band’s creative arrangements, with fellow rhythm section Robin Clayton (bass), David Kirby (keys) and Andy Jackson (guitar) completing an established and highly accomplished unit. MOTET’s horn section is composed of three highly regarded performers from the Surrey jazz scene: Sam Parker (saxes), Tom Parsons (trumpet) and Stuart Goodburne (trombone). The band delivers a modern, danceable groove that is fresh and uplifting – the essence of the BEAT vibe! Motet is joined by accomplished live performer and in-demand session vocalist, Debbie Bracknell. Debby has sung for top artists such as Mariah Carey, Ariana Grande and Shakatak.

Lineup:
Seb Guard – drums
Robin Clayton – bass
Dave Kirby – keys
Andy Jackson – guitar
Sam Parker – saxes
Tom Parsons – Trumpet 
Stuart Goodburne – Trombone
Debby Bracknell - Vocals
 
The Joe Garland Band 
Headed by guitarist Joe Garland, this talented group of young musicians from London perform boisterous, groovy jazz funk and fusion in the vein of the Yellowjackets, John Scofield and Tribal Tech. Joe is one of the most popular acts to have featured in the BEAT series and we are delighted to welcome him back with an 8-piece band made up of fellow graduates from London’s music academies. Joe will perform a mix of originals destined for his first album, some of which are based on tunes composed for previous Boileroom shows. Joe’s music represents the essence of the BEAT vibe and we are thrilled he can perform at this final show of this second BEAT Series.

16/03/2025

Tickets for Wood Street Jazz Festival are now on sale! Come and join us on Sunday 20th July on the village green. Get the early bird if you book by 31st March!

13/03/2025

+ NEW SHOW +
TRANSATLANTIC HOT CLUB
Thursday 24 April 2025
At Guildford Pavilion

Come and relive the decadent Parisian jazz scene of the 1930s with The Transatlantic Hot Club as they make a first visit to Guildford Jazz on their 2025 UK tour!
Featuring Adrien Chevalier (New York) on Violin, Ben Creighton Griffiths (Cardiff) on Harp, Jeremy Lohier (Corsica) on Accordion, and Ashley John Long (Cardiff) on double bass. Expect to hear Swing classics, Django standards, and Latin Bossa Nova during this exciting performance.

Book your tickets today on the Guildford Jazz website!

13/03/2025

+ NEW SHOW +
ROD YOUNGS QUARTET FEAT. DENYS BAPTISTE
Friday 11 April 2025
At The Stoke, Guildford

MOBO nominated musician Rod Youngs brings his sensational quartet to Guildford to celebrate the music of the iconic Blue Note Record label!
Rod Youngs has established himself as one of the most expressive and versatile drummers on the contemporary music scene. For over two decades his approach to music has covered a wide spectrum of genres while remaining firmly rooted in the jazz tradition. 
Rod is joined by the incomparable Denys Baptiste, a legend of British jazz and one of the most sought-after saxophonists in the country; celebrated guitarist Artie Zaitz and formidable bassist Larry Bartley.

13/03/2025

+ NEW SHOW +
VIMALA ROWE WITH JOHN ETHERIDGE “BLUE SPIRITS” TRIO
Wednesday 2 April 2025
At Guildford Pavilion

Sensational vocalist VIMALA ROWE joins guitar legend JOHN ETHERIDGE, with his the Blue Spirits Trio featuring Pete Whittaker on organ, George Double on drums. and Marianne guesting on bass.
John Etheridge’s reputation in the jazz world cannot be overstated. A genuinely virtuosic fusion guitarist, Etheridge is one of a handful of players who can claim to have helped shape the character of modern jazz guitar. He has been described by fellow fretsman Pat Metheny as ‘one of the best guitarists in the world’, and The Blue Spirits Trio came about through John’s love of electric guitar and organ combined, and a desire for a vehicle for the bluesier side of John’s playing. There are plenty of typical swing elements, augmented by soulful ballads, fiery funk outings all presented with warm humour by John. The band has been popular on the club circuit for many years and always delivers.
John Etheridge and Vimala Rowe scored a resounding critical success with their album ‘Out of the Sky’ ,which was in the Top Ten Critic’s lists for 2016 in both the Guardian and Sunday Times. Vimala is a sensational singer who has mesmerised audiences since she emerged a few years ago and has the same wide ranging skills and tastes as John They are ideal partners, alike in their search for musical adventure and authenticity.
Their last visit to Guildford in January 2023 was a complete sell-out - not to be missed!

11/03/2025

06/03/2025

Guildford Jazz at the Boileroom
Our final show of BEAT series presents double header!
Motet & The Joe Garland Band
A celebration of jazz funk and soul!

MOTET
MOTET brings rich horn arrangements and high energy rhythms to well-known soul and jazz funk songs, from artists such as Tim Akers, Al Jarreau and Stevie Wonder. Composer arranger and drummer, Seb Guard, is the source of much of the band’s creative arrangements, with fellow rhythm section Robin Clayton (bass), David Kirby (keys) and Andy Jackson (guitar) completing an established and highly accomplished unit. MOTET’s horn section is composed of three highly regarded performers from the Surrey jazz scene: Sam Parker (saxes), Tom Parsons (trumpet) and Stuart Goodburne (trombone). The band delivers a modern, danceable groove that is fresh and uplifting – the essence of the BEAT vibe! Motet is joined by accomplished live performer and in-demand session vocalist, Debbie Bracknell. Debby has sung for top artists such as Mariah Carey, Ariana Grande and Shakatak.

Lineup:
Seb Guard – drums
Robin Clayton – bass
Dave Kirby – keys
Andy Jackson – guitar
Sam Parker – saxes
Tom Parsons – Trumpet 
Stuart Goodburne – Trombone
Debbie Bracknell - Vocals
 
The Joe Garland Band 
Headed by guitarist Joe Garland, this talented group of young musicians from London perform boisterous, groovy jazz funk and fusion in the vein of the Yellowjackets, John Scofield and Tribal Tech. Joe is one of the most popular acts to have featured in the BEAT series and we are delighted to welcome him back with an 8-piece band made up of fellow graduates from London’s music academies. Joe will perform a mix of originals destined for his first album, some of which are based on tunes composed for previous Boileroom shows. Joe’s music represents the essence of the BEAT vibe and we are thrilled he can perform at this final show of this second BEAT Series.

10/02/2025

Have you got your tickets for Dele Sosimi this Friday? There are a few left up for grabs!

Sosimi blends complex funk grooves, traditional Nigerian rhythms, African percussion, and jazz, showcasing virtuoso keyboard skills and rhythmic singing – its going to be an unforgettable night!

03/02/2025

++NEW SHOW++
Hexagonal – The Music of Bheki Mseleku and McCoy Tyner
Thursday 6th March at Guildford Pavilion

Hexagonal is John Donaldson (piano), Greg Heath (tenor sax/flute), Rob Leake (alto/baritone sax), Sid Gauld (trumpet), Simon Thorpe (bass) and Joe Edwards (drums).

This high energy sextet, with African and Jazz influences, was formed in late 2016, to perform the music of two titans of jazz, drawn from different eras and cultures – 1960s American icon McCoy Tyner and 1980s South African jazz pianist and saxophonist Bheki Mseleku.

“The band is impressively hip…with a variety of rich melodies, vibrant harmonies and infectious grooves… The optimism of the music shines through like a shaft of sunlight on a winter’s day.” – London Jazz News.

Tickets on sale now at the Guildford Jazz website!!