What’s On
Katharine Timoney Quartet
July 6th 2018
Book now to get tickets at £12:00 each!
Doors open at 19:15, show starts at 20:00
Katharine is one powerhouse of a singer - she’s equally at home belting out soul and R&B as she is singing well chosen notes over jazz standards. This very talented (and still very young) vocalist grew up in Northern Ireland listening to the Great American Songbook and it shows. She sings these classics with a deep understanding of the meaning behind the music and the lyrics. She lists her influences as Etta James, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan and Amy Winehouse - so that should give you an idea about the sonic soundscape she’s aiming for. On hand to provide rhythm, harmony and great ‘time’ will be Tom Kincaid, Paul Jefferies and Nick Millward.
Jonathan Taylor Trio - The Music of Herbie Hancock
August 3rd 2018
£15.00 (£12.00 if ordered ahead)
Doors open at 19:15, show starts at 20:00
'Watermelon Man', 'Maiden Voyage’, 'Cantaloupe Island’ and many many more - Mr Hancock is one of the most recorded and revered jazz pianists of all time!
Jonathan Taylor Trio - The Music of Herbie Hancock
August 3rd 2018
Book now to get tickets at £12:00 each!
Doors open at 19:15, show starts at 20:00
Jonathan Taylor has performed, educated and composed for over 20 years at the highest level. When he’s not touring or appearing with some of the jazz world’s premiere musicians (Gilad Atzmon, Iain Bellamy, Pee Wee Ellis to name a few) he can be found teaching at London’s prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Dance. This hugely exciting trio (Jonathan - piano, Paul Jefferies - bass & Andy Tween - drums) bring to Witney Jazz a large helping of the music that made Herbie Hancock the world-wide legend that he is today. Mr Hancock has appeared with, recorded with a composed with so many legendary ensembles that it’s almost impossible to pick names to illustrate how he has shaped the music of American jazz in particular and jazz pianist just about everywhere. His playing and music crosses styles galore - working his way through be-bop with Donald Byrd, then shape shifting jazz with Miles Davis, he has pushed the jazz envelope for over 50 years. He was one of the pioneers of post-bop and fusion and his work with star pop and classical artists is testimony to his desire to be as all inclusive musically as possible. So the Jonathan’s trio will have its work cut out to cover such an expanse of styles and skills but have it on good authority that they’ll be more than man enough for the job.
Annique
September 7th 2018
Book now to get tickets at £12:00 each!
Doors open at 19:15, show starts at 20:00
This lady has a slightly split musical personality. As Lucy Randell she sings straight ahead jazz all over the world with the incredibly popular Jazz Dynamos but she’s also a very talented composer in her own right so she’s created a new persona ‘Annique’ and under this name she creates music which is entirely original and draws on elements of jazz, rock, classical, blues and folk. We’ve asked her to come and sing a selection of jazz standards mixed with the jazzier originals. There’s a crystalline quality to Annique’s voice yet its underpinned with a muscularity that makes the whole package utterly compelling. Rob Terry (piano), Paul Jefferies (bass) and Charlie Stratford (drums).
Tommaso Starace Quartet
October 5th 2018
Book now to get tickets at £12:00 each!
Doors open at 19:15, show starts at 20:00
Tommaso Starace is one super hot musician on both alto saxophone and soprano saxophone. He has performed all over the world with his own quartets and as a guest soloist with a host of top rhythm sections. His recordings are critically acclaimed and always vary in style and content and reflect Tommaso’s constantly changing musical journey through time. At our concert he will be celebrating the music of the infamous rotund but superb American be-bop alto man ‘Cannonball’ Adderley. Pianist Alex Steele will be pulsing out the chords, Paul Jefferies roots everything down on bass and the top level drummer Chris Nickols will keep time and dazzle with his solo work.
Tim Robinson Quartet
November 2nd 2018
Book now to get tickets at £12:00 each!
Doors open at 19:15, show starts at 20:00
Tim is a wonderful guitarist and educator (see him and his work at www.timrobinsonguitar.com). Tim will be presenting two sets of Gypsy Swing jazz concentrating on the music made famous by the two fingered legend that was Django Reinhardt. Tim lists among his influences Robert Fripp (guitarist with King Crimson) and Jimi Hendrix and it’s no accident that this is another Gypsy Jazz guitar player who has been influenced by and played rock guitar. It seems to be a pattern - the challenge of creating super fast runs, percussive articulation and improvising over tricky yet familiar chord sequences intrigues many a player - but few master it as well as Tim and his colleagues. Clarinet, rhythm guitar and double bass complete the line-up - it’ll be fast and furious but great fun….
Josephine Arthur Quartet ‘A Christmas Special’
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.