DECEMBER 3RD THE RASCALS OF RHYTHM
The Rascals of Rhythm are a band which bridges the gap between the original New Orleans style and the small band Swing style of the 1930s. They have a particularly distinctive sound and once heard become instantly recognisable. They provide a refreshing return to an era of carefree, swinging jazz with a repertoire drawn from Jelly Roll Morton to Fats Waller. The Rascals are fronted by Mike Wills, soprano sax, tenor sax and clarinet; Tony Blincowe on clarinet, alto & tenor saxes, and Andy Woon, cornet, backed by the drum-less rhythm section of band leader Dave Moorwood, acoustic guitar & vocals; Peter Godfrey, piano; and Mike Bennett, double bass. Exuding irrepressible enthusiasm and energy, this is a band that really swings.
JANUARY 7TH - THE ADRIAN COX QUARTET
Our new season opens with the internationally acclaimed clarinettist ADRIAN COX who is performing on the scene fresh from recording two new albums. The first features long-time collaborator JOE WEBB as a duo and the second is a very special album that features, for the first time, Adrian’s band and a string quartet. He brings his band to Steyning to play some of this new music as well as some reworked standards. The band line up is: ADRIAN COX, clarinet & vocals; JOE WEBB, piano; WILL SACH, double bass; and SHANEY FORBES, drums. This January meeting opens our new 2022 season and is our membership renewal evening.
Doors open early at 7.00pm, so join us in a glass of fine wine and renew your membership for the coming year: annual membership is £15.
FEBRUARY 4TH - RICO’S HOT FIVE
Savouring the fascinations of jazz from the 1920s-1930s, we welcome ENRICO TOMASSO with his glittering Hot Five. Enrico brings a band line-up of ENRICO TOMASSO, trumpet & vocals; MARTIN LITTON, piano; ‘SPATS’ LANGHAM, guitar, banjo & vocals; GRAHAM HUGHES, trombone & sousaphone; EWAN BLEACH, clarinet & sax. This brilliantly outstanding band delights in the irresistible contrapuntal improvisation of this swing era, with jazz reminiscent of Bix Beiderbecke and his peers, their playing breathing new life into this golden age of Jazz.
MARCH 4TH - PETE LONG’S TRIBUTE TO THE BENNY GOODMAN QUARTET
Clarinettist, PETE LONG’S career has included time with the Jools Holland Rhythm and Blues Orchestra as well as directing the Ronnie Scott’s Big Band. He has delighted audiences with his successful recreation of the famous Benny Goodman Quartet, conjuring up the rhythmic excitement and energy of one of jazz history’s most revered ensembles. The quartet this evening has PETE LONG on clarinet; ANTHONY KERR, vibraphone; COLIN GOOD, piano; and RICHARD PITE, drums. Anthony Kerr has, for many years, played vibes for Georgie Fame and the BBC Big Band. Colin Good is among the uniquely few pianists who can play in the style of the great Teddy Wilson, and drummer, Richard Pite, specialises in the jazz styles of the 1920s to the 1940s, offering an evening of driving musicality and swing.
APRIL 1ST - HARRY STRUTTERS JAZZ AND BLUES BAND
Steyning Jazz Club is honoured to host The Harry Strutters Jazz and Blues Band. Highly applauded and admired, the band specialises in recreating the jazz and hot dance band music of the 1920s and 1930s, with its characteristic drive, wit and allure. Having toured widely throughout the UK, Europe and Scandinavia they will feature the effervescent vocalist MARLENE HILL from America with MEGS ETHERINGTON on cornet and vocals; TONY CARTER, reeds; PAUL TAYLOR, trombone; MARTIN LITTON, piano; MAURICE DENNIS, banjo and guitar; GRAHAM COLLICOT, drums; and ALLAN SOKELL, sousaphone. Founded originally many years ago in Brighton, this is a band that now goes from strength to strength, providing an evening of irresistible swing, rhythm and glittering musicality.
MAY 6TH - MARTIN BENNETT'S OLD GREEN RIVER BAND
Much travelled and returning from two tours to Australia and a memorable one to California, MARTIN BENNETT’S experience is incalculable. For many years an outstanding trombonist, he now leads from the keyboard, keeping his renowned vocals as part of the programme. The OLD GREEN RIVER BAND’S line-up will be: MARTIN BENNETT, piano/vocals; JOHN FINCH, trombone; STAN WILLIAMS, trumpet; SARAH SPENCER, reeds; HOWARD WORTHINGTON, bass; and BILL BUCK, drums. This is a hot Dixieland/Swing band with a mix of old heads and young blood, but with the shared intention of playing top class music with integrity and passion.
JUNE 10TH - PETE LETANKA TRIO
THE PETE LETANKA TRIO makes a welcome return to Steyning Jazz Club playing a blend of standards and originals with an exciting new line-up with PETE LETANKA, piano; SAM BURGESS, bass; and JON ORMSTON, drums. SAM BURGESS is a highly in-demand musician who has played in the Ronnie Scott's House Band for over thirteen years and JON ORMSTON’S inventive drumming has become especially admired at both domestic and international jazz festivals. Pete's love of the great Oscar Peterson and his South African heritage, which runs deep in his music, ensures an exceptional evening of jazz.