Bringing the best in live jazz to Guildford
WHO ARE GUILDFORD JAZZ?
Guildford Jazz is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company (company number 11587522) whose aim is to bring some of Britain’s finest musicians to a local audience, in an intimate and welcoming “jazz club” environment.
Everyone is welcome, young and old. You do not need to be a jazz fanatic or expert or to join as a Member to come to any gig, although there are benefits to becoming a Member if you come regularly (click here for details). We aim to keep ticket prices affordable and offer half price tickets for students. If you’re a regular or occasional attendee at our events we’d love to hear your feedback – you can contact us here.
‘Copperfield’
Thursday 5th March, 8pm
Surrey University, Stag Hill GU2 7XH
This Jazz Suite takes the audience through the characters and scenes of Charles Dickens’ novelDavid Copperfield. After each sketch, presented with Alan Barnes’ engaging humour, eight virtuoso musicians will bring the characters and scenes vividly to life. One of the UK’s finest jazz musicians, winning numerous awards, Alan Barnes is also an outstanding composer and arranger, with two previous, brilliant jazz suites playing to packed houses at the EFG London Jazz Festival.
Lunchtime Jazz
Monday 2nd March, 2pm
Guildford Institute
For over two decades tenor saxophonist Alex Garnett has been one of the leading saxophonists in the UK and mainland Europe, being instantly recognised by his dark, husky sound. A versatile musician, he is a long-standing member of Ronnie Scott’s All-Stars and much in demand as a session and studio saxophonist, with countless recording credits. He is also a highly successful jazz composer and arranger. With Paul Edis (piano) and Marianne Windham (bass).
Alex Clarke
Thursday 26th March, 8pm
Guildford Pavilion, Woodbridge Road, GU1 4RP
A very special evening celebrating the 15th Anniversary of Guildford Jazz, with a rare all-female quintet featuring saxophonist Alex Clarke, a finalist at the BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year 2020, winner of the Rising Star category in the 2019 British Jazz Awards and Jazz Newcomer of the Year nominee in the 2021 & 2022 Parliamentary Jazz Awards. With Andrea Vicari on piano, Sophie Alloway on drums, Marianne Windham on bass and Emily Windham on vocals.
Jazz Samba at Cranleigh Arts Centre GU6 8AS, 7.30pm to 10pm on Friday 20 March. Jazz Samba takes its inspiration and name from Stan Getz and Charlie Byrd's ground-breaking bossa nova album, which topped the album charts on its release in 1962. Led by the outstanding tenor saxophonist Mark Crooks and the award-winning guitarist Nigel Price, this is a joyful celebration of the blending of Brazilian rhythms, jazz sensibility and the majestic compositions of Antonio Carlos Jobim, Joao Donato and Sergio Mendes. With John Cervantes (piano), Marianne Windham (bass) and Demi Garcia Sabat (drums). Tickets £20.50 (discounts for Guildford Jazz members - visit www.guildfordjazz.org.uk for the discount code) phone the Box Office 01483 278000 or visit boxoffice@cranleigharts.org.
For further information visit www.guildfordjazz.org.uk
We aim to run:
two regular mid-week gigs each month, both featuring some of the country’s top jazz musicians
monthly jam sessions at the Merry Harriers pub on the second Sunday of the month
occasional workshops before gigs
summer charity events including a “Jazz in the Park” in the beautiful walled garden at Loseley Park in aid of GUTS, who aim to improve the survival rates of people with bowel cancer by funding better screening, detection, treatment and facilities, as well as research into the disease (see a short video from 2019 here) and an afternoon Jazz Festival on Wood Street Village Green in support of Challengers , who provide vital play and leisure opportunities and parental support for local disabled children and young people (read Peter Vacher’s review from 2019 here)
an annual Christmas gig at St John’s Church, Farncombe
occasional pop-up jazz events with organisations and venues in and around Guildford