What’s On
Witney Jazz Special - Ian Batemans Septet (At the Corn Exchange)
February 1st 2019
Book now to get tickets at £18.00 each!
Doors open at 19:15, show starts at 20:00
Kenny Ball was not only a number one selling, immensely popular composer and singer - he was also one the finest jazz trumpeters of his era. What’s more he was a regular performer at the original Witney Jazz Club which flourished in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980’s based at the old Witney Football Club stadium. So it’s a huge pleasure to welcome back a show that is not only full of brilliant, familiar hits but also a return for many of the original members of the band that appeared throughout the world on tour with Kenny Ball. This is billed as a ’SPECIAL’ because it will take place in the larger auditorium of the Witney Corn Exchange; we’ll have Prof. David Carugo from Brookes University creating a top quality sound with his superb PA system and of course not least seven superb, acclaimed musicians. So expect great tunes such as 'Midnight in Moscow' and 'I Love You Samantha' mixed with a host of other great hist of the ear.
The Band
Ian Bateman - for those who don’t know - is a world class trombone player. He was with the Kenny Ball band for over 10 years and new him and of course his music very well. Ian has transcribed and arranged the music for the ‘re-incarnation’ of this extraordinary septet.
Ben Cummings (trumpet/vocals) - is something of a local hero having lived and studied in Oxford. He now travels the world with an array of jazz, pop and rock stars and will for this concert play, sing and speak the part of Kenny Ball - from a distance you’d think it was him! Ben has all the humour and easy charm of the great man himself - an uncanny resemblance!
Trevor Whiting (clarinet) - is a member of the Chris Barber big band as well as playing with a plethora of headlining American jazz ensembles here and abroad.
Sean Moses (Banjo) - has recorded on hundreds of albums, TV and film tracks and is in much demand for live concerts up and down the UK in all walks of music.
Craig Milverton (piano) - is a pianist of international repute, a permanent member of John Paul Jones blues band and much acclaimed for his Oscar Peterson Trio show which he tours extensively.
John Day (bass) - has recorded and performed with Humphrey Littleton, Jamie Cullum and Clare Teal. As well as being a long term member of the Kenny Ball band, he worked with Acer Bilk’s Paramount Jazz men for seven years.
Nick Millward (drums) - Birmingham based Nick is a first call drummer for a host of UK bands. He started plying drums at the age of five and now performs regularly with the Pete Allen band, Digby Fairweather’s Half Dozen and has worked with Terry Lightfoot and a host of others.
Josephine Arthur Quartet ‘A Christmas Special’
Saturday December 8th 2018
Book now to get tickets at £12:00 each!
Doors open at 19:15, show starts at 20:00
Josephine is a consummate jazz vocalist with a voice that's likened to liquid chocolate - smooth and tasty. She has performed throughout the UK at top clubs and concert venues and we are delighted to welcome her to Witney Jazz to play two sets of music with a distinctive festive feel. With a top notch rhythm section, we look forward to some gorgeous music in preparation for Christmas. Paul Jefferies - double bass, Matt Fisher - drums, piano TBA.
Kevin Fitzsimmons Band
Friday January 4th 2019
Book now to get tickets at £12:00 each!
Doors open at 19:15, show starts at 20:00
Jazz singer, composer and arranger Kevin is very much an established musician in and around the London scene. With brilliant creative phrasing, a truly captivating voice and a highly personable stage presence, his concerts are full of humour and of course excellent music. Kevin’s bands always feature top bebop or mainstream jazz players and this one is no exception: Guitarist Jez Cook, bassist Paul Jefferies and drummer Charlie Stratford are three of the clubs favourites and they make a really top rate rhythm section full of inventiveness and swinging sensibility. Kevin will perform two sets of music featuring American Songbook favourites ‘peppered’ through with melodies form the likes of Sting, Billy Preston, Sam Cook and even Paul Weller.
Julian Stringle Quartet
Friday March 1st 2019
Book now to get tickets at £12:00 each!
Doors open at 19:15, show starts at 20:00
Swing jazz and traditional jazz is peppered with great clarinetists - names like Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw and George Lewis and in more recent years this less than ubiquitous instrument is regaining it’s popularity with great players like like Ken Peplowsky, Alan Barnes and Anat Cohen. The fabulous reeds man Julian Marc Stringle is one of this new breed of players and we’re delighted to welcome him back to Witney Jazz. Julian was a very early starter - he appeared on TV programmes with Acker Bilk when he was only 13 and he’s been performing professionally pretty well since that time. Julian will present a show that’s full of the classic repertoire, played by those great players of yesteryear plus a few twists en route to the bebop era and beyond. Julian appears with Tom Berge (piano), Paul Jefferies (bass) and drummer TBA.
Damon Brown Quartet
Friday April 5th 2019
Book now to get tickets at £12:00 each!
Doors open at 19:15, show starts at 20:00
Trumpet player Damon who is these days based in Korea - is a trumpet player of distinction: fluid melodic lines, a gorgeous tone and ingenious phrasing mark him out as a player with an original style, one that truly engages the listener. In recent years he has added vocals to his already highly desirable performances but his is not just any voice, this sounds like Chet Baker but an octave or two lower in pitch truly mesmerising with a rare breathiness. Damon will perform music that crosses the swing/bebop borders - expect a riveting concert from this trumpet ace with Alex Steele (piano), Paul Jefferies (bass) and Charlie Stratford (drums).
Ben Holder Trio
Friday May 3rd 2019
Book now to get tickets at £12:00 each!
Doors open at 19:15, show starts at 20:00
Rapidly gaining notoriety as one of the finest and most exuberant jazz violinists the UK has to offer and highly regarded internationally, this hugely talented musician, magician and tall story teller leaves audiences breathless and full of wonder at his immense energy and sheer musicality. Ben fills venues wherever he goes - performing as guest musician with rhythm sections across Europe and with his own ensembles - which include an all star quintet, a four piece of distinction and as a trio with long time collaborators Jez Cook (guitar) and bassist Paul Jefferies. These three know each other very, very well so musical communication between them is almost telepathic, but most critically this excellent guitar and bass rhythm section know full well how to push Mr Holder into violinistic acrobatics and then bring him back to earth with some of the most beautiful ballad playing you’ll hear. Ben will be presenting us with a smorgasbord of music from Gypsy Swing jazz through Benny Goodman and a fat slice of the Great American Songbook. Very tasty - but grab your tickets early as his shows always sell out.
Joanna Eden / Alan Barnes
Friday June 7th 2019
Book now to get tickets at £12:00 each!
Doors open at 19:15, show starts at 20:00
Alan Barnes needs little introduction, he’s a multi-award winning sax and clarinet player with a wickedly dry sense of humour who has graced thousands of stages during his 30+ year career and appeared on hundreds of brilliant recordings with jazz illuminaries and stars from the worlds of Pop and Rock including Brian Ferry and Van Morrison. Joanna Eden is an excellent pianist and an exquisite singer. She knows her onions musically and is a much sought after vocal coach (she coached the headlining pop artist Sam Smith). Joanna sings from the heart, with passion and meaning - you won’t see her reading lyrics or just going through the motions - she’s one of a rare breed off singers who truly feel their music and in this case get what jazz is about. The duo will be accompanied by Paul Jefferies on double bass for a beautifully crafted evening of music featuring jazz melodies you’ll know and love, pieces from Joanna’s hit show ‘Music at The Movies’ and a smattering of popular tunes from the past, given the Eden/Barnes jazz treatment.