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.

Louise Balkwill
Guildford Pavilion, Woodbridge Road GU1 4RP
Wednesday 5 August, 8pm

The 2022 winner of the Riga Jazz Stage International Jazz Voice competition, Louise Balkwill. has been hailed as one of the finest jazz singers of her generation. Known for her dazzling vocal improvisation, joyful stage presence and heartfelt storytelling, Louise presents a collection of sparkling new compositions and fresh re-tellings of beloved standards, all delivered with her trademark warmth, wit and thrilling musicianship. Also featuring Jonathan Bauer (trumpet), Rob Barron (piano), Joshua Walker-Martin (drums) and Marianne Windham (bass).

Lunchtime Jazz
Monday 3 August, 2pm
Guildford Institute, Ward Street GU1 4LH

Chromatic harmonica virtuoso Phil Hopkins celebrates the richly varied musical output of the greatest jazz harmonica player Toots Thielemans. In a long career, Thielemans’ expressive harmonica added magic to the recordings of a pantheon of jazz greats including Benny Goodman, Bill Evans, Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny and Quincy Jones. Completing the trio are the fantastic pianist Liam Dunachie and Guildford’s Marianne Windham on bass. Expect an hour of glorious swing, samba and fascinating stories of Thielemans’ life and times.

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