East Side Jazz Club

Tuesday, 14 February, 2012

2012-02-09T16:37:00.011Z

8.30 - 11.00pm
£6 on the door

Geoff Mason Quintet

Geoff Mason (trombone)
Jo Fooks (tenor sax)
Alan Berry (piano)
Jim Richardson (bass)
Trevor Tomkins (drums)

Born in London, Geoff Mason studied trombone at London College of Music before moving on to join the regimental band of the Coldstream Guards. He played with the band for twelve years, during which time he toured Japan, Australia and America. Jo Fooks hails from Edinburgh where she won “Young Scottish Jazz Musician of the Year” before studying saxophone at the Guildhall School of Music and then Berklee School of Music in Boston. After recording her debut album 'Here and Now!', the legendary British trumpeter Humphrey Lyttelton invited her to join his eight-piece band. "Jo Fooks confirmed my initial impression that she’s a seriously undervalued player with a fully ripened sound of her own and mature fluency..that she’s come so far while remaining largely unknown sets the mind boggling uncontrollably" - Humphrey Lyttelton.

Tuesday, 7 February, 2012

2012-02-01T18:45:00.011Z

8.30 - 11.00pm
£7 on the door

John Altman's Big Band

soprano sax, baritone sax & arrangements: John Altman
trumpets: Quentin Collins, Tony Fisher, Mike Henry & Noel Langley
trombones: Pete Beachill, Trevor Mires, Sarah Williams & Andy Wood
saxes: Sam Mayne, Claire Mcinerney, Bob Sydor, Matt Wates & Martin Williams
guitar: John Etheridge
piano: Barry Green
bass: Andy Cleyndert
drums: Ralph Salmins

Now something of an institution at the East Side, Emmy and BAFTA winning composer John Altman formed his big band in 1985. Dubbed "the best big band in the UK" by the Daily Telegraph, it is certainly the only big band to have performed on a number 1 worldwide hit single (Bjork's "It's Oh So Quiet") and in 2 top 5 hit movies (Little Voice and Shall We Dance). With all material written and/or arranged by John and showcasing the star studded line up of great jazz soloists this should be as memorable a night as were the last five years' sold out performances. John's long playing career has seen him perform with jazz giants like Al Cohn, Jimmy Heath, Chet Baker, Bud Freeman and Joe Newman. John wishes to make it known that he has never won a BBC Jazz Award!

Tuesday, 31 January, 2012

2012-01-25T17:55:00.007Z

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Jim Mullen (guitar)
Ross Stanley (organ)
Clive Fenner (drums)

Glasgow born Jim Mullen is possibly best known for his long association with the legendary sax player Dick Morrisey. Their popular group Morrisey Mullen was at the forefront of the jazz-funk movement in the UK, producing seven albums. Jim has also gained acclaim backing vocalist Claire Martin on three albums. As a sideman he has been in demand by visiting U.S. stars like Gene Harris, Mose Allison, Jimmy Smith, Percy Sledge, Plas Johnson, Jimmy Witherspoon and Terry Callier. A dynamic and forceful player, his deep affinity with the blues gives his music a quality of earthy excitement.

Tuesday, 24 January, 2012

2012-01-24T12:31:00.000Z

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Christian Brewer (alto sax)
Tim Lapthorne (piano)
Mark Hodgson (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

"Christian Brewer’s alto sound is light - though he can dig in when needed - and he is a remarkably fluent and craftsmanlike improviser. Though fresh ideas flow inexorably, Brewer is not tempted to waste notes despite his fluency, so that there’s a real sense of purpose about his work." - Peter Martin, Jazz UK (reviewing Cristian's CD 'Seesaw'). “Brewer and his precocious colleagues deliver a joyful brand of British neo-bop that swings with power, fluency and confidence” - Jack Massarick, London Evening Standard.

Tuesday, 17 January, 2012

2012-01-17T13:22:00.000Z

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Jim Hart (vibes)
Ivo Neame (piano)
Michael Coady (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

Jim Hart was born in Cornwall, and began learning piano and percussion at the age of four. In 1994 he went to Manchester to study at Chetham’s School of Music, then moved to London to study at the Guildhall School of Music where he began to focus mainly on playing jazz, both on drums and piano. On leaving the Guildhall, Jim became the drummer for NYJO and stayed with them for three years. During this time he also developed as a vibes player. Jim was the winner of a 2007 British Jazz award, the 2006 British Jazz award for 'Rising star' and the 2006 Worshipful Company of Musicians Jazz medal. "His vibes playing is a revelation" - Alyn Shipton, The Times." Hart has developed an impressively individual voice, using a four mallet technique that allows him to switch between pointed chords and mellifluous runs with ease" - Daniel Spicer, Jazzwise.

Tuesday, 10 January, 2012

2012-01-04T16:35:00.009Z

8.30 - 11.00pm

£5 on the door

John Horler (piano)
Mark Nightingale (trombone)
Andrew Cleyndert (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

John Horler is a highly respected pianist and composer who has earned a formidable reputation on the British jazz scene over many years. His credentials as a musician are as impeccable as they are diverse. As his reputation grew he found himself increasingly supporting American jazz stars such as Bob Brookmeyer, Clark Terry, Zoot Sims, Al Cohn, Art Farmer, Pepper Adams, Bud Shank, and Shorty Rodgers. One of the most notable of these events was working with Chet Baker for a week at The Canteen in Great Queen Street.

Mark Nightingale is one of the most sought after session-musicians on the London scene. His rich and varied musical life has taken him from recording with Sting, Tom Jones, the Spice Girls and Robbie Williams to playing in the orchestras of Henry Mancini, Michel Legrand and Frank Sinatra. He has also performed in such esteemed jazz company as Clark Terry, Bill Holman, Slide Hampton, James Morrison and Ray Brown.

Tuesday, 3 January, 2012

2012-01-03T17:31:00.000Z

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Alan Barnes (alto & baritone saxes and clarinet)
Robin Aspland (piano)
Simon Thorpe (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

“Alan Barnes is the most reliably entertaining, multi-skilled reed virtuoso on the UK scene” - John Fordham, Guardian. Alan has enjoyed a prolific career, playing and recording for many bands. He has dominated the British Jazz Awards over the years, having won the alto sax section in 1993, 95, 97 & 99, the clarinet award for 94, 96 & 98 and being voted the top baritone player in 98, 2000 & 2002. In 2001 and 2006 Alan received the prestigious BBC Jazz Instrumentalist of the Year award and in November 2003 was made a fellow of the Leeds College of Music. 2003 also saw the inception of Alan’s own record label Woodville Records.

Tuesday, 13 December, 2011

2011-12-13T16:42:00.001Z

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Gilad Atzmon (alto sax)
Damon Brown (trumpet)
Ross Stanley (organ)
Clive Fenner (drums)

He's back - easily one of our most anticipated gigs - the phenomenal, exciting, unpredictable musical genius that is Gilad Atzmon.
"Eschewing the political rhetoric, Atzmon now lets the music do the talking, relaxing into a skilful and witty dialogue with his versatile bandmates. Together they breathe new harmonic and rhythmic life into every composition they perform, transforming even the most well-worn jazz standards into scintillating originals - the true essence of real live jazz." "You get an awful lot of music with Gilad Atzmon: quotes from jazz standards, torch songs, ideas playfully purloined from Mediterranean or Middle Eastern sources, sultry Paris-cabaret smooches, New Orleans clarinet swing and bebop in hyperdrive. The Israeli reed virtuoso is acclaimed as one of the most original world-jazz specialists..” - John Fordham, The Guardian. "Atzmon is an astonishing musician with a seemingly effortless ability to demolish and rebuild any old tune he chooses to play" - John Lewis, Time Out.

Tuesday, 6 December, 2011

2011-12-06T15:49:00.000Z

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Rob Townsend (saxes)
Mike Outram (guitar)
Geoff Gascoyne (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

Rob Townsend started playing the sax when he got fed up with carting drums around. A senior lecturer in Jazz at Middlesex University, he has performed with a broad range of leading musicians including Django Bates, Sam Rivers, Iain Ballamy, Tim Garland, Mark Lockheart and Bill Bruford. Rob has been a featured soloist with ex Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett for a number of years, touring internationally and recording a number of albums and DVDs. He’s also played on film and TV scores for Oscar-winning composer Stephen Warbeck.
"..by turns playful, rhapsodic and irreverent, he injected an almost folksy sensibility into his solos, coaxing sunshine out of the most oblique chord progressions" - James Griffiths, The Guardian.

Tuesday, 29 November, 2011

2011-11-29T16:29:00.001Z

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Mark Lockheart (saxes)
Kit Downes (piano)
Loz Garratt (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

As a saxophonist and composer, Mark Lockheart's work often defies categorisation and crosses the boundaries of the jazz, new music and folk worlds. Mark came to prominence in the mid 1980s with the influential and radical big band Loose Tubes, which he toured with throughout the USA and Europe and recorded with until its demise in 1989. In the mid-nineties Mark toured extensively with Django Bates' Delightful Precipice. Current projects include Mark Lockheart's In Deep, Seb Rochford's Polar Bear, Perfect Houseplants, Disassembler and Robert Wyatt’s Soup Songs. Voted ‘Parliamentary Jazz Musician of the Year’ for 2010, Mark's last CD 'Days Like These' features seven original compositions played by Mark with the NDR Big Band. "..this set certainly suggests Lockheart's first big-band album won't be his last" - John Fordham, The Guardian. "Lockheart's own soprano saxophone playing is a joy throughout" - Dave Gelly, The Observer.

Tuesday, 22 November, 2011

2011-11-22T18:30:00.000Z

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Julian Siegel (tenor sax)
Phil Peskett (piano)
Calum Gourlay (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

Julian Siegel studied sax, clarinet and conducting at UEA, Norwich. Moving to London in 1991 he became known on his second instrument, the double bass. Now established as one of the most in-demand saxophonists on the scene and currently leading his own quartet on a UK tour, he's been involved with some influential British jazz groups and co-leads the inestimable quartet Partisans. A former winner of "Best Instrumentalist" at the BBC Jazz Awards 2007. “Siegel has taken a stride into a different musical league as both a player and a composer...This is a set that, if it doesn’t put Siegel’s name in lights, will certainly crank up the wattage” - John Fordham, Guardian.

Tuesday, 15 November, 2011

2011-11-15T12:42:00.000Z

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Nathaniel Facey (alto sax)
Alex Hutton (piano)
James Morgan (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

Born in London to Jamaican parents, Nathaniel cites his influences as Charlie Parker, Wayne Shorter, John Coltrane and Ornette Coleman. He began his music studies at the age of 14 and, with a degree from London's Royal Academy of Music, he has distinguished himself as a creative composer and lyrical performer with a massive future. Nathaniel is of course a member of the award winning and widely acclaimed band Empirical. Their second album ‘Out 'n' In’ was inspired by Eric Dolphy’s 1964 album ‘Out to Lunch!’. Their latest CD ‘Elements of Truth’ has just been released. "graceful...dramatic and subtle...a daring maturity that can only bode well for the future" - Jazzwise.

Tuesday, 8 November, 2011

2011-11-08T11:32:00.000Z

8.30 - 11.00pm
£6 on the door

Henry Lowther (trumpet & flugel)
Pete Hurt (tenor sax)
Barry Green (piano)
Oli Hayhurst (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

Trumpeter Henry Lowther has had a varied career since the 60’s working with both the Gil Evans and George Russell Orchestras, John Dankworth, Peter King, Kenny Wheeler, Charlie Watts, Loose Tubes and John Surman on the jazz scene, to Manfred Mann, Buzzcocks, John Mayall and Keef Hartley at the legendary Woodstock Festival. On the classical side, Henry is an accomplished composer, as well as being a featured member of the London Brass Virtuosi. In July this year Henry celebrated his 70th birthday with a special charity concert.

Tuesday, 1 November, 2011

2011-11-01T16:33:00.000Z

8.30 - 11.00pm

£5 on the door

Benn Clatworthy (tenor sax)
John Donaldson (piano)
Simon Thorpe (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

A big welcome back for tenor ace Benn, grandson of the famous theatre and revue artist, Gertrude Lawrence. Raised in London he has been a resident of Los Angeles since 1980. As a teenager Benn took sax lessons from Ronnie Scott who recommended him to Berklee College, Boston. His work credits include such notables as Cedar Walton, Lionel Hampton and Jimmy Cleveland. Benn is a member of the Fransisco Aguabella Latin Jazz Septet, Tony Insalaco Quintet and Pete Christlieb's Band.

Tuesday, 25 October, 2011

2011-10-25T01:00:00.000+01:00

8.30 - 11.00pm
£6 on the door

Bob Martin (alto sax)
Steve Fishwick (trumpet)
Leon Greening (piano)
Geoff Gascoyne (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

Alto giant Bob Martin hails from Atlantic City, USA and studied at Berklee College before spending four years on the road as one of the featured saxophonists in the Buddy Rich Big Band. He went on to perform with many of the greats: Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Billy Ekstine, Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin and Sammy Davis Jnr. Bob is a wonderfully fluent and inventive alto sax player in the classic hard bop style with superb technique and control of the instrument. Resident in the UK since 1997, he has worked with many of our top names including a lengthy spell with the Frank Griffith Nonet. Tonight he teams with fellow Nonet player, the ever popular Steve Fishwick on trumpet. "The alto sax firebrand from Atlantic City" - Jack Massarik, Evening Standard.

Tuesday, 18 October, 2011

2011-10-12T11:12:00.012+01:00

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Art Themen (saxes)
Steve Melling (piano)
Arnie Somogyi (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

Art Themen, orthopaedic surgeon (now retired) and illustrious saxman, remains a firm favourite on the British jazz scene with a pedigree as long as Southend Pier. Art was involved in the early British blues movement with Alexis Korner’s All Stars, Jack Bruce’s Band and Long John Baldry’s Hoochie Coochie Men. He has played and recorded with the bands of Michael Garrick, Graham Collier, Don Weller and in 1974 began a long association with Stan Tracey. He also toured and recorded with Charlie Parker alumni, Red Rodney and Al Haig. On piano this evening a favourite regular of the club, Steve Melling. “Melling is one of the most comprehensively gifted of pianists, with a great technique and an abundance of ideas. He is also a great composer” - Ian Carr, Jazz the Rough Guide Vol 2.

Tuesday, 11 October, 2011

2011-10-11T17:22:00.000+01:00

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Tony Coe (alto sax & clarinet)
John Horler (piano)
Andrew Cleyndert (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

Tony Coe began his performing career with Humphrey Lyttelton’s band and in 1965 Count Basie offered him a place in the Basie Band sax section. His credits since then include the John Dankworth Orchestra, Kenny Clarke-Francy Boland Band, Stan Tracey, Mike Gibbs, Stan Getz, Dizzy Gilespie and Bob Brookmeyer. Coe’s extensive experience in recording is heard on such films as Superman II, Victor Victoria and he is the featured tenor sax soloist in Henry Mancini’s music for the Pink Panther films. “Tony Coe is one of the most remarkable and brilliant musicians in the world” - Humphrey Lyttelton. “If my life depended on a jazz ballad, I think I’d ask Tony Coe to play it” - Richard Williams, The Independent.

Tuesday, 4 October, 2011

2011-10-04T17:13:00.000+01:00

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Dick Pearce (trumpet & flugel)
Ross Stanley (piano)
Adam King (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

“More than any other British jazz trumpeter, Pearce probably deserves the mantle of heir to Jimmy Deuchar, offering a style that contains a fractured lyricism reminiscent of his forebear...He has a sophisticated command of harmonic improvising, although, as with his self-confessed (and disparate) trumpet heroes - Chet Baker, Art Farmer and Don Cherry - his playing comes across as anything but contrived. Pearce had a lengthy association with Ronnie Scott which lasted from the 1970s until Scott's health forced him to abandon performing in the mid-1990s, and some of his best recorded work can be found on the CD Never Pat A Burning Dog (Jazz House, 1990), where his solos contrast admirably with Scott's more forthright contributions, and contain a heat and urgency never far beneath the cool surface" - Simon Spillett.

Tuesday, 27 September, 2011

2011-09-27T15:25:00.000+01:00

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

John Altman (saxes)
Mitch Dalton (guitar)
Andrew Cleyndert (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

Familiar to us all as the accomplished leader of his astonishing big band, as well as a prolific composer for the movies, television and commercials, tonight John Altman lays down his baton to front a small group. An Emmy and BAFTA winning composer, John began his musical journey at age 3 with Judy Garland at the London Palladium. Commencing his recording and live career as an in-demand saxophonist in the late 60s he has performed with many of the major figures in music over the last few decades including Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley, Muddy Waters, Nick Drake, Eric Clapton, Sting, Phil Collins, Jimmy Page, Little Richard and Van Morrison, also jazz giants Al Cohn, Jimmy Heath, Chet Baker, Bud Freeman and Joe Newman. His last quartet album recorded in LA was Observer Jazz CD of the month, as was his previous big band CD featuring vocalist Joan Viskant.

Tuesday, 20 September, 2011

2011-09-20T17:00:00.000+01:00

8.30 - 11.00pm
£6 on the door

Liane Carroll (piano & vocals)
Roger Carey (electric bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

We’re privileged to kick-off our new season with the world-class Liane Carroll. Born in London and raised in Hastings, where she currently lives with her husband, bassist Roger Carey, East Side favourite Liane has been playing the piano since she was three and performing professionally since the age of fifteen. She has toured and recorded with artists such as Gerry Rafferty, Long John Baldry and Paul McCartney. Liane enjoyed success as double winner in the 2005 BBC Jazz Awards and 'Best female jazz vocalist' at the first Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Awards. Liane went on to pick up the 2008 Parliamentary Jazz Award for 'Musician Of The Year.' Later that year Liane formed an exciting new collaboration with the acclaimed Scottish jazz pianist Brian Kellock, and in November the pair toured throughout Scotland, at which The Herald declared, "This may well be British jazz's greatest double act." In 2009 Liane and her trio went stateside for the first time and performed to rapturous audiences at Dizzy's Jazz Club at the Lincoln Centre and the Rochester Jazz Festival. "No one who hears Liane Carroll in person is likely to forget the experience. It's not just that she's a brilliant pianist and a mesmerising singer, but that, like Stevie Wonder, she seems in some magical way to be made out of music. No recording has managed to capture this quality until now, but this one comes close" - Dave Gelly, The Observer (reviewing Liane's latest CD 'Up and Down').

Tuesday, 19 July, 2011

2011-07-19T06:39:00.000+01:00

8.30 - 11.00pm
£6 on the door

Leytonstone Festival present The Annie Whitehead Quintet

Annie Whitehead (trombone)
Jennifer Maidman (guitar)
Steve Lodder (keyboard)
Dudley Phillips (electric bass)
Liam Genockey (drums)

Born in Oldham, Lancs, Annie Whitehead learnt trombone at school and by the age of fourteen was already busy playing with brass bands, local dance groups and the Manchester Youth Jazz Orchestra. At sixteen, she started her professional career with Ivy Benson's legendary All Girls Orchestra. Annie has worked with many well known artists including Elvis Costello, Joan Armatrading, Chris Rea, The Style Council and Robert Wyatt. She was a member of Chris MacGregor's Brotherhood of Breath, The Carla Bley Very Big Band and the Penguin Café Orchestra. She has contributed to more than 50 albums and has recorded five albums under her own name."Annie Whitehead is a trombonist of elegant technique and musical tastes taking in funk, salsa and ska as well as jazz" - John Fordham. "Space age themes, a rock influenced funk beat, impressive soloists.. one of the most individual and cohesive bands currently touring the jazz circuit" - The Times.

Tuesday, 12 July, 2011

2011-07-12T01:00:00.000+01:00

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Theo Travis Quartet

Theo Travis (tenor sax & flute)
Steve Lodder (keyboard)
Alex Keen (bass)
Marc Parnell (drums)

The London-based saxophonist and composer Theo Travis has made a name for himself on the British jazz scene for his virtuosity and soulful style as well as his fine compositions. Born in Birmingham, Theo studied classical music at the University of Manchester whilst playing in various jazz and rock bands. "Theo Travis has played on more than 100 albums since 1993. He has an attractive Michael Breckerish sound on uptempo tenor sax, a Stan Getz-to-Andy Sheppard feel on ballads and soft Latin themes, and a poignant ambient tone on flute - with the latter expanded by electronics and echo. Sometimes it's hard to banish the sound of John Thomson purring "n-i-i-i-c-e" from The Fast Show's Jazz Club under these softly throbbing grooves" - John Fordham of The Guardian reviewing Theo's 2 CD compilation 'An Anthology' released earlier this year.

Tuesday, 5 July, 2011

2011-07-05T11:22:00.002+01:00

8.30 - 11.00pm
£6 on the door

Dennis Rollins (trombone)
James Gardiner-Bateman (alto sax)
Alex Hutton (piano)
Geoff Gascoyne (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

A real 'In demand' player and a truly nice guy to boot, we are fortunate to catch Dennis with a rare diary slot in between playing Manchester with his Velocity Trio (supporting Ramsey Lewis) and his next tour date with Maceo Parker’s Band at the Nice Jazz Festival. Born 1964 in the Midlands to Jamaican parents and raised in South Yorkshire, Dennis cut his teeth at the age of 14 performing with the Doncaster Youth Jazz Association. He moved to London and began playing with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra and the legendary all-black big band Jazz Warriors. A charismatic and energetic musician, composer and educator, well known on the British and international jazz scene, and celebrated for his versatility and unique approach to the underrated trombone. Dennis' group Badbone & Co walked off with the BBC's Jazz Award for Best Band 2006 and a year later Dennis achieved the British Jazz Award in the trombone category. "..a groove-based brassman who seamlessly combines fluid improvising with the ability to kick the pulse of a band as irresistibly as a drummer” - The Guardian.

Tuesday, 28 June, 2011

2011-06-28T11:08:00.000+01:00

8.30 - 11.00pm
£6 on the door

Quentin Collins (trumpet)
Tony Kofi (tenor sax)
Ross Stanley (piano)
Larry Bartley (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

Fronting the band tonight we have not one but two favourite sons of the club. Quentin Collins, born locally in Forest Gate, is an outstanding hard bop trumpeter who graduated from the Guildhall School of Music by winning the 'Best Finals' prize. Already with a wealth of experience, he has worked with the likes of Jean Toussaint, Stan Tracey, Norma Winstone, John Surman, Tim Garland and Ray Gelato. Nottingham born, Tony Kofi studied at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. Back in the UK he played with The Jazz Warriors and Gary Crosby's Nu Troop. His subsequent playing credits include Billy Higgins, Branford Marsalis, Byron Wallen, Claude Deppa, Donald Byrd, Lonnie Smith, Eddie Henderson, Jazz Jamaica All Stars and the big bands of Jean Toussaint and Julian Joseph. Tony's quartet was voted best ensemble at the 2005 Parliamentary Jazz Awards; their CD 'Plays Monk - All Is Know', was awarded 'BBC Jazz Line-up Album of the Year 2005'.

Tuesday, 21 June, 2011

2011-06-21T12:09:00.000+01:00

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Chris Garrick (violin)
Dave Gordon (piano)
Oli Hayhurst (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

Guildford born, Chris began playing the violin at the age of 5. At home, his father Michael, the jazz pianist and composer of international renown, taught him jazz tunes, introducing the colours, flavours and rudiments of the great improvising music. He has worked with many artists including Julian Joseph, Dolly Parton and Brian Ferry and made tours of the Far East and Australia with guitarist John Etheridge in a tribute to Stephane Grappelli. His recording ‘Different Strokes’ was called “The outstanding British album of the year” in the Sunday Times. “His violin playing was a stunning display of musicianship, whether lightly dancing, delicately teasing or producing pyrotechnics that scorched the very timbers of the building” - Jazz Journal.

Tuesday, 14 June, 2011

2011-06-14T17:33:00.000+01:00

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Denys Baptiste (tenor sax)
Nick Ramm (piano)
Gary Crosby (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

The recent album from Denys Baptiste ‘Identity By Subtraction’ has attracted some very positive reviews: "London saxophonist Baptiste won a raft of prizes - a Mercury, a Mobo and a British Jazz award - and much deserved acclaim for 2003's ‘Let Freedom Ring’. Given that head-start, his seven-year absence from the recording studio has been surprising. But the traditionally swaggering tenor-sax tone with a soulfully imploring contemporary edge is still fully functioning on this new quartet set...There's plenty of Coltrane-driven orthodox-postbop that largely avoids the rhythmically byzantine nu-jazz challenges of recent years" - John Fordham, The Guardian. "Baptiste puts all the pieces together with rare dedication, imagination and emotion. Nine mature originals complete a multi-faceted suite of straight-ahead contemporary jazz that repays repeated listening" - Jack Massarik, London Evening Standard.

Tuesday, 7 June, 2011

2011-06-07T15:58:00.000+01:00

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Tina May (vocals)
Robin Aspland (piano)
Jeremy Brown (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

Tuesday, 31 May, 2011

2011-05-31T15:01:00.000+01:00

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Lewis Wright (vibes)
Tom Challenger (tenor sax)
Adam King (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

Now something of a veteran, Lewis Wright began his musical education a little earlier than most - drum lessons from his father, a percussion teacher, at the age of 3, followed by the piano at 7 then vibraphone at age 9. Lewis gave his first public performance age 6 and by 10 was the youngest ever member of the Norwich Students Jazz Orchestra - he retired aged 13. Work credits include Stan Sulzmann, Clark Tracey, Julian Siegel, Martin Drew, Laurence Cottle, Bill le Sage, Jack Parnell and Mark Lockheart. 2001 saw the formation of the Lewis Wright Quartet and in 2009 Lewis was invited to join the award winning group Empirical - he appears on their acclaimed album “Out ‘n’ In”.

Tuesday, 24 May, 2011

2011-05-24T15:09:00.000+01:00

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Karen Sharp (tenor & baritone saxes)
Steve Melling (piano)
Dave Whitford (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

Originally from Suffolk, Karen took up the tenor sax whilst studying composition at the Royal Northern College of Music. A friend introduced her to a recording of Dexter Gordon and she was instantly hooked, quickly joining the college jazz band and finding regular work in a busy soul band based in Liverpool. Moving to London in 1999 she became a busy freelance. In 2004 Karen took over from Kathy Stobart in Humphrey Lyttelton's band and stayed for three and a half years, playing tenor and baritone sax to packed houses up and down the country. She won the 2007 British Jazz Awards for both tenor sax player and rising star. “..she’s moved not in a flash in the pan flurry of notes but with well paced assurance to the status of class A player” - Humphrey Lyttleton.

Tuesday, 17 May, 2011

2011-05-17T10:18:00.000+01:00

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Jay Phelps (trumpet)
Leon Greening (piano)
Oli Hayhurst (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

Born in Vancouver, Canada 1982, Jay took up the trumpet at 11 years of age. At 15 he became the youngest artist to lead his own band at the Vancouver International Jazz Festival. Keen to develop his career further, Jay moved to London at the age of 17 where he immediately attracted the attention of Gary Crosby who engaged him as a dep for Jazz Jamaica All Stars and Nu Troop. In 2002 Gary offered him a place in the core band of Tomorrow's Warriors. Formerly co-leader of the much admired band Empirical, Jay is a featured member of Dennis Rollins’ Badbone & Co and has performed with Andrew Hill, Wynton Marsalis, Ray Brown, George Benson and Hugh Masakela.

Tuesday, 10 May, 2011

2011-05-10T11:13:00.000+01:00

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Martin Speake (alto sax)
Mike Outram (guitar)
Steve Watts (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

“Known for his collaborations with legendary US drummer Paul Motian and The Bad Plus pianist Ethan Iverson, Speake has for a long time now been quietly building up a unique body of work that puts him in the top flight of British contemporary jazz. With a sound steeped in the tradition of fifties cool jazz” - BBC Jazz on 3. “A saxophonist with an unusual turn of phrase, a persuasively gentle sound and jazz allegiances that don't follow the usual Coltranesque paths but veer instead toward the fifties Cool School. Martin Speake is not just a distinctive improviser but a striking composer too.” - John Fordham, The Guardian

Tuesday, 3 May, 2011

2011-05-03T17:20:00.000+01:00

8.30 - 11.00pm
£6 on the door

Alan Skidmore (tenor sax)
Steve Melling (piano)
Geoff Gascoyne (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

Son of the late Jimmy Skidmore, also a tenor saxophonist, Alan has toured and recorded with Elvin Jones, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Joe Henderson, Dexter Gordon, Mike Gibbs and Mike Westbrook, Chris McGregor’s Brotherhood of Breath, John Dankworth and Tubby Hayes Big Bands, the widely influential SOS group with Mike Osborne and John Surman as well as a continuing association with Georgie Fame’s Blue Flames. “Skidmore - one of the most ferociously virtuosic saxophonists to have emerged out of the British sax generation that worked up its momentum around 1970 - is no mere mirror of Coltrane’s glory. When he attacks the master’s long, twisting odysseys into melodic and harmonic density, he plays as if the effort is fearsome. To watch his chest pumping after a five-minute double-time avalanche of improvisation, you almost wish he would sit down and recover with a bit of Coltrane-like yoga breathing” - John Fordham, Guardian

Tuesday, 12 April, 2011

2011-04-12T15:58:00.001+01:00

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Simon Spillett (tenor sax)
Brian Dee (piano)
Geoff Gascoyne (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

"Simon Spillett is the kind of big toned wailing tenor player that I like. The influences of Tubby Hayes and Johnny Griffin are clearly discernible in his sound, harmonic thinking and in his direct no-nonsense determination in getting things swinging. This refreshing attitude is also in evidence in his composing. He has written a whole raft of catchy hard bop tunes which are great launching pads for the soloist and that never fall into the trap of complexity for complexity's sake. A great player" - Alan Barnes. "Those of us who have heard him...have been left blinking in disbelief. It's not just his mastery of the tenor saxophone, phenomenal though that is, but the absolute conviction of his playing that is so impressive" - Dave Gelly, Sunday Observer. "The world's leading Tubbiologist" - Jack Massarik, Jazzwise.

Tuesday, 5 April, 2011

2011-04-05T16:23:00.000+01:00

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Gilad Atzmon (reeds)
Leon Greening (piano)
Adam King (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

He's back - easily one of our most anticipated annual gigs - the phenomenal, exciting, unpredictable musical genius that is Gilad Atzmon.
"Eschewing the political rhetoric, Atzmon now lets the music do the talking, relaxing into a skilful and witty dialogue with his versatile bandmates. Together they breathe new harmonic and rhythmic life into every composition they perform, transforming even the most well-worn jazz standards into scintillating originals - the true essence of real live jazz." "You get an awful lot of music with Gilad Atzmon: quotes from jazz standards, torch songs, ideas playfully purloined from Mediterranean or Middle Eastern sources, sultry Paris-cabaret smooches, New Orleans clarinet swing and bebop in hyperdrive. The Israeli reed virtuoso is acclaimed as one of the most original world-jazz specialists..” - John Fordham, The Guardian. "Atzmon is an astonishing musician with a seemingly effortless ability to demolish and rebuild any old tune he chooses to play" - John Lewis, Time Out.

Tuesday, 29 March, 2011

2011-03-29T16:33:00.000+01:00

8.30 - 11.00pm
£6 on the door

Martin Shaw (trumpet)
Matt Wates (alto sax)
Mike Gorman (piano)
Geoff Gascoyne (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

Martin Shaw was born into a family of musicians, both his mother and father being accomplished pianists. He began piano lessons at the age of 9 and started studying the trumpet at the age of 11. Four years later Martin became a member of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra of Great Britain and remained there for 3 years. He subsequently gained a place at the Royal Academy of Music in London to study classical trumpet and jazz, graduating after three years. In 1989 Martin was invited to study at Berklee college of music in Boston, before returning to London to finish his studies. Martin has worked with many leading jazz artists including Cleo Laine, John Dankworth, Pete King, Dick Morrisey, Tim Garland and numerous big bands including the BBC Big Band; he has also recorded, performed live and toured extensively with various pop artists including Sting, Jamiroquai, Natalie Cole, Paul Young and the Brand New Heavies. In 2001 Martin was appointed professor of Jazz Trumpet at the Birmingham Conservatoire.

Tuesday, 22 March, 2011

2011-03-22T12:36:00.000Z

8.30 - 11.00pm
£6 on the door

Rob Townsend (saxes)
Nick Smart (trumpet)
John Parricelli (guitar)
Steve Watts (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

Tuesday, 15 March, 2011

2011-03-09T17:02:00.005Z

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Bobby Wellins (tenor sax)
John Critchinson (piano)
Andrew Cleyndert (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

Born 1936 in Glasgow, Bobby worked with Stan Tracey's Quartet during the 1960s, playing on the classic album "Under Milk Wood". In a poll by Jazz UK magazine, readers chose this record as their all-time favourite British jazz album. Bobby was absent from the jazz scene for a number of years, until in 1976 he formed a quartet and with Don Weller, a quintet. He was then able to perform regularly and start recording again. Bobby Wellins is and always has been an original with his own distinctive sound. "Bobby Wellins has a tenor sax tone so celebrated that it has become the one aspect of his playing everbody mentions. But that gorgeous, smoky sound is part of a complete style that involves articulation, phrasing and a delightfully wayward approach to time" - The Observer.

Tuesday, 8 March, 2011

2011-03-08T10:36:00.000Z

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Georgia Mancio (vocals)
Tim Lapthorn (piano)
Mark Hodgson (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

Georgia Mancio’s music is an intriguing reflection of her Anglo-Latino background: predominantly a standards singer, she also specialises in South American and European music and is a lyricist. As a child she played classical flute, went on to train as an actor and film-maker before returning to her musical roots (her Italian grandparents were a concert pianist and opera singer respectively), turning professional in 2000. A natural, instinctive musician with a pure, honeyed tone and deceptively simple delivery. "..she left this same venue begging for more..Her voice is sweet and small, but she has learned how to slip it across with the lethal cool of a Mafioso stiletto" - Jack Massarik, Evening Standard.

Tuesday, 1 March, 2011

2011-03-01T10:38:00.000Z

8.30 - 11.00pm
£6 on the door

Peter King Quartet featuring Steve Melling

Peter King (alto sax)
Steve Melling (piano)
Geoff Gascoyne (bass)
Mark Fletcher (drums)

Tonight we proudly present the one man institution that is Peter King. In the words of one critic, "the finest alto saxophonist that Britain has ever produced, and one of the finest in the world today" - Dave Gelly. Peter King has been a major influence on the British jazz scene ever since he played, at the age of eighteen, the opening night of the original Ronnie Scott’s in 1959. He’s worked with such legends as Bud Powell, Elvin Jones, Max Roach, Milt Jackson, Lalo Schifrin, George Coleman and the Ray Charles Orchestra. "A wonderful musician, Peter King, of course, is a master of his instrument. People are aware of that here in America as well as in England" - Elvin Jones. "World’s great Altoist...My Man!" - Nat Adderley. "Peter King is one of the best musicians in the world" - Lalo Schifrin.

Tuesday, 22 February, 2011

2011-02-22T15:44:00.000Z

8.30 - 11.00pm
£6 on the door

John Altman's Big Band

soprano sax, baritone sax & arrangements: John Altman
trumpets: Quentin Collins, Sid Gauld, Noel Langley & Steve Sidwell
trombones: Neil Sidwell, John Stokes, Roger Williams & Ray Wordsworth
saxes: Jay Craig, Sam Mayne, Bob Sydor, Roy Willox & Martin Williams
tuba: Graham Read
guitar: Mitch Dalton
piano: Barry Green
bass: Andy Cleyndert
drums: Ralph Salmins

Now something of an institution at the East Side, Emmy and BAFTA winning composer John Altman formed his big band in 1985. Dubbed "the best big band in the UK" by the Daily Telegraph, it is certainly the only big band to have performed on a number 1 worldwide hit single (Bjork's "It's Oh So Quiet") and in 2 top 5 hit movies (Little Voice and Shall We Dance). With all material written and/or arranged by John and showcasing the star studded line up of great jazz soloists this should be as memorable a night as were the last four years' sold out performances. John's long playing career has seen him perform with jazz giants like Al Cohn, Jimmy Heath, Chet Baker, Bud Freeman and Joe Newman. John wishes to make it known that he has never won a BBC Jazz Award!

Tuesday, 15 February, 2011

2011-02-15T16:30:00.000Z

8.30 - 11.00pm
£6 on the door

Township Comets

Pinise Saul (vocals)
Chris Batchelor (trumpet)
Jason Yarde (alto sax)
Julian Siegel (tenor sax)
Adam Glasser (piano)
Dudley Philips (bass)
Dave Smith (drums)

The Township Comets play the searing, joyous music of South African saxophonist Dudu Pukwana, a towering figure in township jazz and the European free scene. Chris Batchelor and Adam Glasser played with Pukwana in the ‘80’s, and the group features vocalist Pinise Saul, star of classic Zila records ‘Life In Bracknell and Willisau’ and ‘Zila 86’. “I heard the Township Comets playing Dudu Pukwana's music, and Chris McGregor's legacy, and that was fantastic too. It was really like hearing those wonderful bands with Dudu in all over again.” John Fordham - BBC Jazz on 3 review of London Jazz Festival.

Tuesday, 8 February, 2011

2011-02-08T15:15:00.000Z

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Gareth Williams' Power Trio

Gareth Williams (piano)
Laurence Cottle (electric bass)
Ian Thomas (drums)

One of the most intensely creative, dynamic and exciting performers on the UK scene, Gareth Williams has been receiving increasing critical and public acclaim since becoming a professional musician in the early 90s. The Power Trio released ‘Shock!’ to great critical acclaim in March 2009. The album features twelve original compositions and a blistering interpretation of John Coltrane’s ‘Giant Steps’. “Williams, a sparkling acoustic and electric pianist in post-Herbie Hancock mode...never plays an ill-considered phrase. Drummer Ian Thomas and bass-guitar virtuoso Laurence Cottle, a partnership forged by hundreds of gigs, complete an intelligent, propulsive hour of unhistrionic jazz" - Jack Massarik, Evening Standard. "..you will find music that is by turns energetic and reflective, but always sparklingly melodic. Williams is a hugely gifted pianist, with an apparently endless fund of ideas, plus the detachment to organise them into coherent shapes" - Dave Gelly, Observer.

Tuesday, 1 February, 2011

2011-01-26T16:38:00.010Z

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Freddie Gavita (trumpet)
Jim Watson (piano)
Adam King (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

A welcome return for Freddie Gavita following his outstanding East Side debut a year ago. Tonight he pairs with pianist extraordinaire Jim Watson, a formidable musician who can always be relied upon to start a fire. Trumpeter, composer, arranger and teacher, Freddie is clearly a young man with a growing reputation. Originally from Norwich, he graduated from the Royal Academy of Music. He won the 2008 British Jazz Award for Rising Star and plays regularly with the John Dankworth Orchestra, the Ronnie Scott's Big Band, Empirical, the Ronnie Scott's All-Stars, the London Jazz Orchestra, the Andy Panayi Big Band, and was recently a featured soloist with the BBC Big Band on Radio 2. He now has his own big band, a joint project with Calum Gourlay. “... a talented trumpet prodigy" - John Walters, Guardian. "clearly one to watch" - Ivan Hewett, Daily Telegraph. "...showing a boldly independent streak" - John Fordham, Guardian.

Tuesday, 25 January, 2011

2011-01-25T16:30:00.000Z

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Ed Jones (tenor sax)
Kit Downes (piano)
Geoff Gascoyne (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

Ed began playing saxophone at the age of 15. In 1984 he graduated from Middlesex University with a degree in music, and for a while served an apprenticeship as a street musician. He works in the UK and internationally with a wide range of his own projects and collaborations. Ed’s playing credits include George Benson, Horace Silver, Jimmy Witherspoon, Dianne Reeves, Charles Earland, Clifford Jarvis and Dr Lonnie Smith. “A formidable saxophonist. Ed Jones may have hit his highest profile through his work with bands US3 and Incognito, but he’s an improviser to his fingertips, a player of forceful imagination and one of the UK’s most distinctive saxophonists.” - John Fordham, The Guardian. “One of the most fluent and forceful saxophonists in Europe” - Jack Massarik, Evening Standard.

Tuesday, 18 January, 2011

2011-01-18T15:31:00.000Z

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Deirdre Cartwright (guitar)
Steve Lodder (keyboards)
Alison Rayner (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

In the 1980s Deirdre became well known as the guitar presenter of the ground breaking BBC TV series 'Rockschool'. Meanwhile she was also performing and composing for the acclaimed women’s jazz group 'Guest Stars' with whom she recorded three albums and toured in 17 countries. "If there is a more complete guitarist in contemporary music than Deirdre Cartwright - I’d like to know who it is." Dave Gelly, Observer. “Cartwright is a melodic, funky and hard swinging guitarist who has learned from a mixture of rock guitar heroes like Carlos Santana and melodically intricate bop guitar stars such as Tal Farlow” - John Fordham, Guardian. “She’s a terrific player, but displays of blinding technique are not her style. Her strength lies in her ability to absorb the huge variety of modern approaches to the instrument, without copying any of them and produce witty and personal music in the process.” - Dave Gelly, Observer.

Tuesday, 11 January, 2011

2011-01-11T11:20:00.000Z

8.30 - 11.00pm
£6 on the door

Alan Barnes (saxes)
Bruce Adams (trumpet)
Robin Aspland (piano)
Simon Thorpe (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

Tuesday, 4 January, 2011

2011-01-04T11:11:00.000Z

8.30 - 11.00pm
£6 on the door

Steve Fishwick (trumpet & flugel)
Sam Mayne (alto sax)
Tom Cawley (piano)
Mark Hodgson (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

Steve Fishwick is already a firm favourite here with his stylish and perfectly executed take on the classic hard bop sound. By the time Steve and his twin brother, drummer, Matt enrolled at the Royal Academy of Music in London at the age of eighteen, they had led their own group and were familiar faces on the Manchester jazz scene. He leads his own quartet and co-leads a quintet alongside saxophonist Osian Roberts, with whom he recorded an album in NYC with legendary American pianist Cedar Walton and bass great Peter Washington, released in September 2009. On the more commercial side he has performed with such stars as Kylie Minogue, Jools Holland and Jamie Cullum and can be heard playing the jazz trumpet solos on the soundtrack to the new British movie release 'Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll'. His latest project is 'The Fishwick Brothers Quintet' co-lead with brother Matt.

New Programme

2010-12-15T11:19:00.000Z

I'm just booking in the musicians for the next programme and getting quite excited about the incredible players we have coming up!

It's a fantastic thing about jazz musicians, in that they will play on a world stage one week and then at the East Side Jazz Club, Leytonstone the next. As Dennis Rollins (Maceo Parker, Courtney Pine and Badbone) said "I love playing here, it's great to get the chance to play some jazz" and the musicians know that they will get a good listening audience to play to.

Fortunately the jazz attitude of playing at the grass roots also extends to the younger players, so on 1st February we have two of the busiest young session players on the scene: Barnaby Dickinson (trombone) and Graeme Flowers (trumpet). You will more usually see them touring and recording with the likes of Kylie Minogue and Take That, but they are looking forward to playing for us on their night off (I'm afraid neither the money or my bum in hot pants will be up to the standard they are accustomed to).

I am really proud of the great mix of musical styles and generations we have on the coming programme, also included are guitarist Deirdre Cartwright, hard-blowing saxophonist Ed Jones and two classic top-draw trumpet and sax led bands of Alan Barnes with Bruce Adams and Steve Fishwick with Sam Mayne. As well as these great headliners the bands feature some of the countries top pianists, all of whom are worth seeing in their own right: Jim Watson, Tom Cawley, Robin Aspland, Steve Lodder and Kit Downes.

I think it is so important for the future of our club that we have such a varied musical base and not get stuck in a particular style or period. I really don't think there is another club like ours which offers such a wide appeal and great standard of musicianship.

Come along when you can - you won't be disappointed.

Thanks to all of you who have supported us over the years, I look forward to seeing you again soon.

Clive Fenner

Tuesday, 14 December, 2010

2010-12-14T10:02:00.000Z

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Derek Nash (saxes)
John Etheridge (guitar)
Pete Whittaker (organ)
Clive Fenner (drums)

A vibrant and charismatic performer on all 4 sax's from soprano to baritone, Derek Nash is of course best known as leader and arranger, since its inception almost 30 years ago, of the award winning ensemble ‘Sax Appeal’. His playing credits include David Sanborn, Mavis Staples, Eric Clapton, Tom Jones and the late Spike Robinson with whom he recorded an award winning CD 'Young Lions Old Tigers'.
“If John Etheridge weren’t so brilliant he might be more famous. His versatility is confusing. What other guitarist could have begun his career as a member of Soft Machine and the Stephan Grappelli Quintet?” - Dave Gelly, Observer. John left Grappelli’s group in the early 80s. For the last twenty years he has pursued a career involving associations with many of the great players - he has appeared with: Barney Kessel, Herb Ellis, Dizzy Gillespie, Tony Williams, Yehudi Menuhin, Pat Metheny and Nigel Kennedy. “I never wanted to be a star, just a highly respected musician like John Etheridge” - Sting, The Guardian. “One of the best guitarists in the world” - Pat Metheny.

Tuesday, 7 December, 2010

2010-12-07T10:22:00.001Z

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Henry Armburg Jennings (trumpet & flugel)
Gabriel Latchin (piano)
Adam King (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

Tonight a debut from a fine, young trumpeter Henry Armburg Jennings. Henry started playing trumpet (and piano) at the age of five, by the age of fourteen he had joined the National Youth Jazz Orchestra (NYJO) and had officially become a professional. He's been working ever since and has performed at venues including the Royal Albert Hall, Jazz Café, 100 Club and Ronnie Scott’s. His playing credits include Sir John Dankworth and Cleo Laine, Pete King, Martin Drew, Dave Green and Clark Tracey. He has just recorded and released his debut album "Out of the Starting Blocks" which includes Alex Garnett and Leon Greening.

Tuesday, 30 November, 2010

2010-11-30T12:21:00.000Z

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Chris Biscoe (saxes)
Liam Noble (piano)
Oli Hayhurst (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

Chris Biscoe is self taught, starting on alto sax then tenor, soprano, baritone, flute and alto clarinet. He started working with Mike Westbrook in 1979 and has played in many of Mike’s projects. He has also toured and recorded with George Russell, Andy Sheppard, Grand Union, Chris McGregor, Didier Levallet and worked with Hermeto Pascoal, Dewey Redman, Kenny Wheeler and the New York Composers Orchestra. 2007 was a notable year for Chris, with debut gigs from several new bands. British Standard Time is an exploration of British show tunes of the pre-Beatles era, with a couple of folk tunes thrown in for good measure while Miles vs Monk, is inspired by the 50th anniversaries of two remarkable and vividly contrasting records, Miles Ahead and Monks Music.

Tuesday, 23 November, 2010

2010-11-23T16:29:00.000Z

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Jim Hart (vibes)
Ivo Neame (piano)
Michael Coady (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

Tuesday, 16 November, 2010

2010-11-16T10:24:00.000Z

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Benn Clatworthy (tenor sax & flute)
Leon Greening (piano)
Amy Baldwin (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

Tuesday, 9 November, 2010

2010-11-09T15:47:00.000Z

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Tony Coe (tenor sax & clarinet)
John Horler (piano)
Andrew Cleyndert (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

Tuesday, 2 November, 2010

2010-11-02T15:01:00.000Z

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Dick Pearce (trumpet & flugel)
Alex Hutton (piano)
Geoff Gascoyne (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

Tuesday, 26 October, 2010

2010-10-26T16:23:00.000+01:00

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Art Themen (saxes)
John Donaldson (piano)
Arnie Somogyi (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

Art Theman, orthopaedic surgeon (now retired) and illustrious saxman, remains a firm favourite on the British jazz scene with a pedigree as long as Southend Pier. Art was involved in the early British blues movement with Alexis Korner’s All Stars, Jack Bruce’s Band and Long John Baldry’s Hoochie Coochie Men. He has played and recorded with the bands of Michael Garrick, Graham Collier, Don Weller and in 1974 began a long association with Stan Tracey. He also toured and recorded with Charlie Parker alumni, Red Rodney and Al Haig. On piano this evening we welcome the supremely talented John Donaldson. "With remarkably little publicity or fuss John Donaldson has emerged as one of Britain’s most exciting contemporary jazz pianists with his own distinctive style" - Dave Gelly, The Observer.

Tuesday, 19 October, 2010

2010-10-19T15:48:00.000+01:00

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Rob Koral (guitar)
Ian Ellis (tenor sax)
Zoe Schwarz (vocals)
Geoff Gascoyne (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

Zoë and Rob's musical partnership has been going from strength to strength this past decade, starting in local wine-bars and progressing to established gigs like Ronnie Scott's and Pizza Express, Dean Street. Coming from different musical beginnings, Zoë from a classical background and Rob from a bluesier upbringing, works to their advantage, creating a distinct chemistry. "..one of the most engagingly natural partnerships in jazz, Zoë’s unaffected vocal style particularly well suited to the blues, and Rob's flawless guitar skills; their gigs are immediately accessible, enjoyable affairs" - Chris Parker. "The bluesy vocals of Zoë Schwarz have won a significant following. Her combination with the guitarist Rob Koral helps place her apart from other vocalists" - Roger Trapp, Independent on Sunday.

Tuesday, 12 October, 2010

2010-10-12T14:45:00.000+01:00

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Damon Brown (trumpet)
Yutaka Shiina (piano)
Martin Zenker (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

Tonight we proudly present not only ace trumpeter and good friend Damon Brown but also two world names of considerable pedigree in Japanese pianist Yutaka Shiina and German bassist Martin Zenker who's playing credits include Jimmy Cobb, Billy Hart, Ed Thigpen, James Moody, Lee Konitz and Mark Murphy. "Shiina has recorded as a leader with the Marsalisites Herlin Riley, Roy Hargrove and Nicholas Payton, and capped his acceptance as a world-stage contender by working with the late Elvin Jones in Jazz Machine. But he keeps his virtuosity throttled back and maintains a hip expressiveness by letting insinuations, nuances and implied swing, and the subtle tick of the rhythm section do much of the work...Brown and Shiina are loyal adherents to straightahead jazz - but, as with all the best practitioners, it is the quiet deviations that count." - John Fordham, Guardian.

Tuesday, 5 October, 2010

2010-10-05T16:52:00.000+01:00

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Trudy Kerr (vocals)
Ingrid James (vocals)
Robin Aspland (piano)
Geoff Gascoyne (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

Recently returned from their successful Australian tour, we are privileged to welcome singers Trudy Kerr and Ingrid James. The girls sang together many years ago when they were both starting out in Brisbane, and have always stayed in contact. Their brand new album 'Reunion' promises "an eclectic mix of jazz, latin and folk songs displaying exceptional interpretations and musicianship". "Australian expatriate Trudy Kerr is another artist who understands the importance of seducing the public. A combination of artful programming and assured arrangements has made her one of the country's most polished singers" - Clive Davis, The Times. "Brisbane's Ingrid James is a fearless and gifted jazz singer for whom the songs are there to be teased, flirted with and milked for all their improvisational potential." - John Shand, Sydney Morning Herald.

Tuesday, 28 September, 2010

2010-09-28T14:40:00.000+01:00

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

John Altman (saxes)
Mitch Dalton (guitar)
Dave Green (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

Tuesday, 21 September, 2010

2010-09-21T01:55:00.000+01:00

8.30 - 11.00pm
£6 on the door

Liane Carroll (piano & vocals)
Roger Carey (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

We’re privileged to kick-off our new season with the world-class Liane Carroll. Born in London and raised in Hastings, where she currently lives with her husband, bassist Roger Carey, East Side favourite Liane has been playing the piano since she was three and performing professionally since the age of fifteen. She has toured and recorded with artists such as Gerry Rafferty, Long John Baldry and Paul McCartney. Liane enjoyed success as double winner in the 2005 BBC Jazz Awards and 'Best female jazz vocalist' at the first Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Awards. Liane went on to pick up the 2008 Parliamentary Jazz Award for 'Musician Of The Year.' Later that year Liane formed an exciting new collaboration with the acclaimed Scottish jazz pianist Brian Kellock, and in November the pair toured throughout Scotland, at which The Herald declared, "This may well be British jazz's greatest double act." During the tour Liane and Brian recorded a live album at the Blue Lamp in Aberdeen, "Live At The Lampie" released in May 2009 to rave reviews. Later in 2009 Liane and her trio went stateside for the first time and performed to rapturous audiences at Dizzy's Jazz Club at the Lincoln Center, and the Rochester Jazz Festival.

Tuesday, 20 July, 2010

2010-07-20T08:20:00.000+01:00

8.30 - 11.00pm
£6 on the door

Leytonstone Festival present Omar Puente & his “El Señor Rookwood” Cuban band

Omar Puente (violin & vocals)
Robert Mitchell (piano)
Elpidio Caicedo (bass)
Oscar Martinez (congas)
Michel Castellanos (drums)

Tonight we get in the Cuban groove with our good friend Omar Puente and I defy anyone to sit still for long. The infectious cross rhythms from this authentic combo are guaranteed to get the club cooking. Omar began serious music studies at the age of 8. At 12 he left his family to take up a place at the prestigious Escuela Nacional de Arte in Havana. His education was furthered by playing with fellow students and visiting tutors such as Paquito d’Rivera and Dizzy Gillespie. In 1998 he formed the group Raices Cubanas (Cuban Roots). Since arriving in England, Omar has maintained an international profile, playing all over Europe, USA and Africa with such musicians as Tito Puente, Kirsty MacColl, Jools Holland, Courtney Pine and recently Nigel Kennedy 's new, three-electric-violin "Chilling-est Violinists". Omar teaches jazz violin at Leeds College of Music and conducts workshops in schools on the cultural and musical development of Cuba.

Tuesday, 13 July, 2010

2010-07-13T10:48:00.001+01:00

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Stan Robinson (tenor sax)
Mike Gorman (piano)
Andrew Cleyndert (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

Born in Salford, saxophonist Stan Robinson, a fine musician with a pedigree longer than a list of Capello's excuses, moved to London in 1959 and toured India for six months before joining the Allan Ganley/Keith Christie Jazz Makers. Stan became a member of the Phil Seamen Quintet in 1962 and also played with the Tubby Hayes' Big Band, Long John Baldry, (Eric Burdon and) the Animals' Big Band, Sandy Brown/Al Fairweather Band, Humphrey Lyttelton and the Kenny Clarke/Francy Boland Big Band. He joined the Don Rendell Quartet, toured with Maynard Ferguson's big band, played with the Ronnie Ross Sextet, as well as leading his own quartet. In the 80s, he toured with King Curtis and Aretha Franklin, and toured the US with Charlie Watts' Orchestra as well as working with Dizzy Gillespie, Andy Williams and Tony Bennett. "A bastion of the British jazz scene" - Don Rendell.

Tuesday, 6 July, 2010

2010-07-06T12:03:00.000+01:00

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Henry Lowther (trumpet & flugel)
Stan Sulzmann (saxes)
Jim Mullen (guitar)
Steve Watts (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

Trumpeter Henry Lowther has had a varied career since the 60’s working with both the Gil Evans and George Russell Orchestras, John Dankworth, Peter King, Kenny Wheeler, Loose Tubes and John Surman on the jazz scene, to Manfred Mann, John Mayall and Keef Hartley at the legendary Woodstock Festival. On the classical side, Henry is an accomplished composer, as well as being a featured member of the London Brass Virtuosi. Stan Sulzmann has long been at the forefront of European contemporary jazz, his talents having been sought by a host of discerning musicians including Gil Evans, Mike Gibbs, Kenny Clarke/Francy Boland and Michael Brecker. Glasgow born Jim Mullen is possibly best known for his long association with the legendary sax player Dick Morrisey. Their popular group Morrisey Mullen was at the forefront of the jazz-funk movement in the UK, producing seven albums. A dynamic and forceful player, his deep affinity with the blues gives his music a quality of earthy excitement.

Tuesday, 29 June, 2010

2010-06-29T18:18:00.002+01:00

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Josh Kemp (tenor sax)
Tim Lapthorne (piano)
Spencer Brown (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

Tonight, an overdue East Side debut for local resident and core member of the E17 jazz collective, Josh Kemp. Josh came to jazz at the early age of nine and in his teens his quartet 'Bop Art' won the Daily Telegraph Young Jazz Band of the Year. After reading Philosophy at University College, Oxford, Josh won scholarships to study jazz at London’s Guildhall and Trinity College of Music. After finishing his studies, collaboration with pianist Tim Lapthorn led to two CDs, 'Animation Suspended' and 'Kukus' "Their music breathes beautifully with subtle light and shade and it is shot through with feeling. This is mature, fully realized jazz of a high order, and a pleasure to hear." - Ian Carr on 'Kukus'. "Josh Kemp has a lovely round sound..really a player to watch..he will grow into a musician of great individuality" - Alan Barnes.

Tuesday, 22 June, 2010

2010-06-22T11:39:00.000+01:00

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Steve Waterman (trumpet & flugel)
Simon Purcell (piano)
Geoff Gascoyne (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

Steve Waterman began his career while studying at Trinity College of Music. He is professor of jazz trumpet at The Royal Academy of Music and Trinity College. Steve has his own quintet and in 2003 formed an 18-piece jazz orchestra playing his original compositions. As well as 7 notable albums under his own leadership, he has recorded with the likes of Carla Bley, Mike Garrick, Graham Collier and Alan Barnes. Steve’s latest album on the Mainstem label is 'Buddy Bolden Blew It' described as a history of jazz through tunes written by trumpet players, inspired by the legendary Buddy Bolden, acknowledged as the first major figure of this music form in New Orleans at the start of the 20th century. The album includes compositions by Louis Armstrong, Bix Beiderbecke, Roy Eldridge, Dizzy Gillespie, Clifford Brown, Chet Baker, Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, Lee Morgan, Clark Terry, Thad Jones, Kenny Wheeler and Tom Harrell.

Tuesday, 15 June, 2010

2010-06-15T16:40:00.000+01:00

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Mark Lockheart (saxes)
Liam Noble (piano)
Oli Hayhurst (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

As a saxophonist and composer, Mark Lockheart's work often defies categorisation and crosses the boundaries of the jazz, new music and folk worlds. Mark came to prominence in the mid 1980s with the influential and radical big band Loose Tubes, which he toured with throughout the USA and Europe and recorded with until its demise in 1989. In the mid-nineties Mark toured extensively with Django Bates' Delightful Precipice. Current projects include Mark Lockheart's In Deep (which includes Liam Noble), Seb Rochford's Polar Bear, Perfect Houseplants, Disassembler and Robert Wyatt's Soup Songs. Mark's latest CD 'Days Like These' features seven original compositions played by Mark with the NDR Big Band. "..this set certainly suggests Lockheart's first big-band album won't be his last" - John Fordham, The Guardian. "Lockheart's own soprano saxophone playing is a joy throughout" - Dave Gelly, The Observer.

Tuesday, 8 June, 2010

2010-06-08T18:26:00.000+01:00

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Dennis Rollins (trombone)
Jay Phelps (trumpet)
Ross Stanley (organ)
Clive Fenner (drums)

A real favourite of the club, we are fortunate to catch Dennis with a spare Tuesday in between foreign tour dates with Maceo Parker’s Band. Born 1964 in the Midlands to Jamaican parents and raised in South Yorkshire, Dennis cut his teeth at the age of 14 performing with the Doncaster Youth Jazz Association. He moved to London and began playing with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra and the legendary all-black big band Jazz Warriors. A charismatic and energetic musician, composer and educator, well known on the British and international jazz scene, and celebrated for his versatility and unique approach to the underrated trombone. Dennis' group Badbone & Co walked off with the BBC's Jazz Award for Best Band 2006 and a year later Dennis achieved the British Jazz Award in the trombone category. "..a groove-based brassman who seamlessly combines fluid improvising with the ability to kick the pulse of a band as irresistibly as a drummer" - The Guardian.

Tuesday, 1 June, 2010

2010-06-01T15:35:00.000+01:00

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Bobby Wellins (tenor sax)
John Critchinson (piano)
Andrew Cleyndert (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

Tuesday, 25 May, 2010

2010-05-25T14:42:00.000+01:00

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Bannau Trio plus

Nia Lynn (vocals)
Gareth Lockrane (flutes)
Ross Stanley (piano)
Sam Lasserson (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

“Bannau takes its name from the Welsh for Brecon Beacons - Bannau Brycheiniog. It refers to the bright light of the beacon that guides the way through the mist, but also refers to the bleakness and foreboding of the vast open lands. The image is one of exploration and hope, shared by this new collective of three like-minded musicians Nia Lynn, Gareth Lockrane and Ross Stanley. As well as playing through their favourite standards in an original and innovative way, the material also draws on folk, traditional and original compositions, work-shopped and adapted by the trio” - bannautrio.com “She is without any doubt a musician's singer - fearlessly interactive and yet able at the same time to display a telling vulnerability” - Pete Churchill.

Tuesday, 18 May, 2010

2010-05-18T15:36:00.000+01:00

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Quentin Collins (trumpet)
Dave O'Higgins (tenor sax)
Tim Lapthorn (piano)
Adam King (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

Born locally in Forest Gate and a real favourite of the club, Quentin Collins is an outstanding hard bop trumpeter who graduated from the Guildhall School of Music by winning the ‘Best Finals’ prize. Already with a wealth of experience, he has worked with the likes of Jean Toussaint, Stan Tracey, Norma Winstone, John Surman, Tim Garland, Tony Kofi, Ray Gelato and is the longest serving member of the Blue Note inspired Dylan Howe Quintet. Quentin's debut album ‘If Not Now, Then When?’ is a balance of poignantly autobiographical originals and standards. Jazzwise magazine called it an "Intensely impressive debut" whilst MOJO magazine, voted the record one of it's top ten jazz albums of the year. “..with Collins bringing a bright, crisply articulated Lee Morgan - like intensity to the proceedings..and a soft, brassy lyricism" - John Fordham, The Guardian.

Tuesday, 11 May, 2010

2010-05-11T17:21:00.000+01:00

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Tony Kofi (alto sax)
Roger Beaujolais (vibes)
Dave Chamberlain (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

Nottingham born, Tony Kofi studied at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. Back in the UK he played with The Jazz Warriors and Gary Crosby's Nu Troop. His subsequent playing credits include Billy Higgins, Branford Marsalis, Byron Wallen, Claude Deppa, Donald Byrd, Lonnie Smith, Eddie Henderson, Jazz Jamaica All Stars and the big bands of Jean Toussaint and Julian Joseph. Tony's quartet was voted best ensemble at the 2005 Parliamentary Jazz Awards; their CD ‘Plays Monk - All Is Know’, was awarded ‘BBC Jazz Line-up Album of the Year 2005’. "If the parameters, as on Kofi's previous albums, are mostly retro, the impact of the music is again wholly of today. Kofi deals not so much with the past as with the eternal truths of jazz music - swing, in-the-moment lyricism, the lust for life - and he continues to find compelling ways to express them. His albums are heartfelt, unpretentious explosions of joy, and precisely what the doctor ordered" - Chris May, Allaboutjazz.com

Tuesday, 4 May, 2010

2010-05-04T00:49:00.002+01:00

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Christian Brewer (alto sax)
Jim Mullen (guitar)
Leon Greening (piano)
Adam King (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

"Christian Brewer’s alto sound is light - though he can dig in when needed - and he is a remarkably fluent and craftsmanlike improviser. Though fresh ideas flow inexorably, Brewer is not tempted to waste notes despite his fluency, so that there’s a real sense of purpose about his work. In all this he is partnered expertly by pianist Leon Greening" - Peter Martin, Jazz UK (reviewing Cristian's CD 'Seesaw'). “Brewer and his precocious colleagues deliver a joyful brand of British neo-bop that swings with power, fluency and confidence” - Jack Massarick, London Evening Standard.

Tuesday, 27 April, 2010

2010-04-27T17:10:00.000+01:00

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Byron Wallen (trumpet)
Jonathan Gee (piano)
Neil Charles (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

Byron began playing jazz around Brighton, then came to London at the beginning of the 1990s to play with Jazz Warriors singer Cleveland Watkiss and to work in the quartet of jazz drummer John Stevens. Later he joined Gary Crosby’s band Nu-Troop and in 1995 formed his own band, Sound Advice. Byron won the 2003 BBC prize for "Innovation in Jazz". He's played trumpet in a huge variety of musical settings including The Style Council, Charles Earland, Courtney Pine and Jean Toussaint. He has also worked with Andrew Hill, Lonnie Liston Smith, Ronnie Laws and Chaka Khan. “..one of the most innovative, exciting and original trumpet players alive” - Jazzwise Magazine.

Tuesday, 20 April, 2010

2010-04-20T09:31:00.000+01:00

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Alan Skidmore (tenor sax)
Leon Greening (piano)
Geoff Gascoyne (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

Tuesday, 30 March, 2010

2010-03-30T14:49:00.001+01:00

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Bob Martin (alto sax)
Steve Fishwick (trumpet)
Leon Greening (piano)
Julian Bury (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

Alto giant Bob Martin hails from Atlantic City, USA and studied at Berklee College before spending four years on the road as one of the featured saxophonists in the great Buddy Rich Big Band. He went on to perform with many of the greats: Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Billy Ekstine, Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin and Sammy Davis Jnr. Bob is a wonderfully fluent and inventive alto sax player in the classic hard bop style with superb technique and control of the instrument. Resident in the UK since 1997, he has worked with many of our top names including a lengthy spell with the Frank Griffith Nonet. Tonight he teams with fellow Nonet player, the ever popular Steve Fishwick on trumpet. "The alto sax firebrand from Atlantic City" - Jack Massarik, Evening Standard.

Tuesday, 23 March, 2010

2010-03-23T17:27:00.000Z

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Nathaniel Facey (alto sax)
Lewis Wright (vibes)
Tom Farmer (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

Born in London to Jamaican parents, Nathaniel cites his influences as Charlie Parker, Wayne Shorter, John Coltrane and Ornette Coleman. He began his music studies at the age of 14 and, with a degree from London's Royal Academy of Music, he has distinguished himself as a creative composer and lyrical performer with a massive future. Nathaniel, Lewis and Tom are of course three-quarters of the award winning and widely acclaimed band Empirical. Their latest album 'Out 'n' In' is inspired by Eric Dolphy’s 1964 album 'Out to Lunch!' "graceful...dramatic and subtle...a daring maturity that can only bode well for the future" - Jazzwise.

Tuesday, 16 March, 2010

2010-03-16T10:49:00.000Z

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Tina May (vocals)
Barry Green (piano)
Simon Thorpe (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

Born in Gloucester and spending her student days in Paris, award winning jazz vocalist Tina has recorded numerous CDs both as a leader and a guest. In 2004 Tina completed recording with legendry pianist Ray Bryant and a host of New York jazz players. These sessions at the Rudy Van Gelder studio's were released on 'Tina May sings the Ray Bryant Song Book'. Her current CD is titled 'I Never Told You' “For musical taste, delicacy of interpretation and presentational flair Tina May has always been a hard act to follow. She is also completely at home in jazz, which isn't as common among high-profile singers as you might think. The way she negotiates Clifford Brown's 'Daahoud' (here retitled 'Beloved') demonstrates that. Her choice of songs is as hip as anyone could wish, including pieces by Kenny Wheeler, Oliver Nelson and Horace Silver. With the immaculate piano of Nikki Iles and occasional touches of tenor saxophone from Karen Sharp, this is a delight” - Dave Gelly, Observer.

Tuesday, 9 March, 2010

2010-03-09T15:13:00.000Z

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Karen Sharp (tenor & baritone saxes)
John Critchinson (piano)
Simon Thorpe (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

Bobby Wellins was due to appear tonight but following recent surgery to his shoulder he's under doctor's orders not to work for a while. We wish Bobby a swift recovery and hope to feature him as soon as he's in full working order.
It's our good fortune however that the fabulous Karen Sharp has a rare gap in her diary and is able to appear at very short notice.
Originally from Suffolk, Karen took up the tenor sax whilst studying composition at the Royal Northern College of Music. A friend introduced her to a recording of Dexter Gordon and she was instantly hooked, quickly joining the college jazz band and finding regular work in a busy soul band based in Liverpool. Moving to London in 1999 she became a busy freelance. In 2004 Karen took over from Kathy Stobart in Humphrey Lyttelton's band and stayed for three and a half years, playing tenor and baritone sax to packed houses up and down the country. She won the 2007 British Jazz Awards for both tenor sax player and rising star. “..she’s moved not in a flash in the pan flurry of notes but with well paced assurance to the status of class A player” - Humphrey Lyttleton.

Tuesday, 2 March, 2010

2010-03-02T11:18:00.004Z

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Geoff Gascoyne Quartet featuring Joshua Kyle

Tonight our good friend and rock solid bass player Geoff Gascoyne heads a quartet featuring a young vocalist currently attracting a lot of positive attention, Joshua Kyle. After six years of touring and recording with Jamie Cullum (alongside tonight's drummer Sebastiaan de Krom), Geoff's latest CD on Jazzizit Records 'Pop-Bop' is an album of his favourite pop songs from the last 30 years arranged for a jazz quartet. "Josh Kyle is the vocalist I've been waiting for. In a world hungry for more male jazz singers, Josh delivers in spades. Talented beyond his years, a remarkable career is about to unfold" - Claire Martin, jazz singer & BBC presenter.

Tuesday, 23 February, 2010

2010-02-23T14:15:00.008Z

8.30 - 11.00pm
£6 on the door

John Altman's All Star Big Band

soprano sax, baritone sax & arrangements: John Altman
trumpets: Simon Gardner, Sid Gould, Mike Henry & Steve Waterman
trombones: Pete Beachill, Mark Nightingale, Sarah Williams & Andy Wood
saxes: Alan Barnes, Jay Craig, Bob Sydor, Roy Willox & Martin Williams
tuba: Graham Read
guitar: Mitch Dalton
piano: Barry Green
bass: Paul Morgan
drums: Ian Thomas

By overwhelming popular demand, we once again welcome the return of John Altman's All Star Big Band. Emmy and BAFTA winning composer John Altman formed his big band in 1985. Dubbed "the best big band in the UK" by the Daily Telegraph, it is certainly the only big band to have performed on a number 1 worldwide hit single (Bjork's "It's Oh So Quiet") and in 2 top 5 hit movies (Little Voice and Shall We Dance). With all material written and/or arranged by John and showcasing the star studded line up of great jazz soloists this should be as memorable a night as were the last three years' sold out performances. John's long playing career has seen him perform with jazz giants like Al Cohn, Jimmy Heath, Chet Baker, Bud Freeman and Joe Newman. His quartet album recorded in LA was Observer Jazz CD of the month, as was his previous big band CD featuring vocalist Joan Viskant. John wishes to make it known that he has never won a BBC Jazz Award!

Tuesday, 16 February, 2010

2010-02-16T14:35:00.001Z

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Simon Spillett Quartet

Simon Spillett (tenor sax)
Steve Melling (piano)
Arnie Somogyi (bass)
Clark Tracey (drums)

Tuesday, 9 February, 2010

2010-02-09T12:14:00.001Z

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Dave Newton Trio

The Dave Newton Trio featuring Andy Cleyndert and Steve Brown is a 2009 poll winners affair with all three members winning the British Jazz Awards. Growing up in Renfrewshire, Scotland, Dave Newton had a musical upbringing with the piano trio sound of Peterson, Tatum or Garner an ever-present feature in the Newton household. Persuaded to move to London by his old roommate from college, Alan Barnes, he rapidly became a much sought after pianist teaming up with Barnes, guitarist Martin Taylor and saxophonist Don Weller. In the early nineties, Newton's reputation as an exquisite accompanist for a singer, spread rather rapidly and by '95 he was regularly working with Carol Kidd, Marion Montgomery, Tina May, Annie Ross, Claire Martin and of course Stacey Kent, with whom he spent the next ten years recording and travelling all over the world. In the British Jazz Awards 2009 Dave was voted best Jazz Pianist for the ninth time. "There is always more to Newton's playing than first meets the ear. The surface may be smooth, but there are all kinds of clever, subtle things going on beneath" - Dave Gelly, The Observer. "Fantastic mainstream pianist who plays with wit and grace, as well as swinging like the clappers.." - Time Out.

Tuesday, 2 February, 2010

2010-01-27T11:12:00.006Z

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Martin Shaw (trumpet & flugel)
Jim Watson (piano)
Mark Hodgson (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

Martin was born into a family of musicians, both his mother and father being accomplished pianists. He began piano lessons at the age of 9 and started studying the trumpet at the age of 11. Four years later Martin became a member of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra of Great Britain and remained there for 3 years. He subsequently gained a place at the Royal Academy of Music in London to study classical trumpet and jazz, graduating after three years. In 1989 Martin was invited to study at Berklee college of music in Boston, before returning to London to finish his studies. Martin has worked with many leading jazz artists including Cleo Laine, John Dankworth, Pete King, Dick Morrisey, Tim Garland and numerous big bands including the BBC Big Band; he has also recorded, performed live and toured extensively with various pop artists including Sting, Jamiroquai, Natalie Cole, Paul Young and the Brand New Heavies. In 2001 Martin was appointed professor of Jazz Trumpet at the Birmingham Conservatoire.

Tuesday, 26 January, 2010

2010-01-26T13:53:00.000Z

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Trevor Watkis (piano)
David Angol (tenor sax)
Larry Bartley (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

"Underappreciated in London yet clearly a class act, pianist-composer Watkis took himself to New York last spring and managed to cut an impressive debut album there, Straight Ahead - Ride for Tone (Blue Soundscape Records) with an all-star cast including altoist Steve Wilson, bassist Reuben Rogers and drummer Lewis Nash. Not many British musicians could command musical support of that calibre, yet with no corporate muscle behind him there was no album-launch tour for Watkis, just a few selective quintet gigs under his leadership both here and in New York. Quality will out, however, and it's only a matter of time before such hip writing and playing, in an attractive contemporary line that follows the late, great Kenny Kirkland, takes its rightful place on the London scene. This could be Trevor's breakthrough year" - Jack Massarik, London Evening Standard.

Tuesday, 19 January, 2010

2010-01-19T11:01:00.000Z

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Don Weller (tenor sax)
Alex Hutton (piano)
Matt Ridley (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

Don's music career started when he played Mozart's clarinet concerto in the Fairfield Hall, Croydon as a fourteen year old. He went on to take up tenor saxophone, with lessons from Kathy Stobart and formed his now almost legendary group "Major Surgery" which ran for nine years playing his own compositions.“Weller’s stage presence and the world-class power and fluency of his sax-playing has been part of his enduring charm over three decades on the British jazz scene” - John Fordham, The Guardian. “He imitates nobody yet swings as hard and plays as soulfully, inventively and, if necessary, as devastatingly fast as any American icon could” - Jack Massarik, London Evening Standard.

Tuesday, 12 January, 2010

2010-01-12T15:53:00.000Z

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Freddie Gavita (trumpet & flugel)
Rob Barron (piano)
Calum Gourlay (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

Tonight we welcome Freddie Gavita, trumpeter, composer, arranger and teacher, to the East Side for the first time. A young man with a growing reputation, originally from Norwich, he recently graduated from the Royal Academy of Music. Freddie won the 2008 British Jazz Award for Rising Star, and plays regularly with the John Dankworth Orchestra, the Ronnie Scott's Big Band, Empirical, the Ronnie Scott's All-Stars, the London Jazz Orchestra, the Andy Panayi Big Band, and was recently a featured soloist with the BBC Big Band on Radio 2. "... a talented trumpet prodigy" - John Walters, Guardian. "clearly one to watch" - Ivan Hewett, Daily Telegraph. "...showing a boldly independent streak" - John Fordham, Guardian.

Tuesday, 5 January, 2010

2010-01-05T10:10:00.000Z

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Derek Nash (saxes)
Steve Melling (piano)
Dave Chamberlain (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

What better way to kick off a new season than with Derek Nash, a vibrant and charismatic performer on all four saxes from soprano to baritone. Derek is of course best known as leader and arranger, since its inception almost 30 years ago, of the award winning ensemble 'Sax Appeal'. His playing credits include David Sanborn, Mavis Staples, Eric Clapton, Tom Jones and the late Spike Robinson with whom he recorded an award winning CD 'Young Lions Old Tigers'. Derek is also a respected recording engineer, he was awarded a gold disc for his work on 'Pointless Nostalgic' by Jamie Cullum and has recorded for Bobby Wellins, Dave O'Higgins, Martin Drew, Geoff Gascoyne, Georgie Fame & George Melly.

Tuesday, 15 December, 2009

2009-12-15T12:25:00.000Z

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Alan Barnes (alto & baritone saxes)
Bruce Adams (trumpet & flugel)
Mike Gorman (piano)
Simon Thorpe (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

The return of the dynamic duo for a real Christmas Cracker. “Alan Barnes is the most reliably entertaining, multi-skilled reed virtuoso on the UK scene” - John Fordham, Guardian. Alan has enjoyed a prolific career, playing and recording for many bands. He has dominated the British Jazz Awards over the years, having won the alto sax section in 1993, 95, 97 & 99, the clarinet award for 94, 96 & 98 and being voted the top baritone player in 98, 2000 & 2002. Alan is joined by the co-leader of his award-winning quintet - Bruce Adams, himself a previous winner of the top trumpet prize at the British Jazz Awards.

Tuesday, 8 December, 2009

2009-12-08T10:00:00.000Z

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Kelvin Christiane (saxes & flute)
Jim Watson (piano)
Simon Thorpe (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

Kelvin Christiane is a saxophonist, flautist, clarinetist and composer who has been leading his own bands for the past fifteen years or more and has released a dozen CDs of his originals and standards. A graduate from the Leeds College of Music he has played with artists such as Bernard ‘Pretty’ Purdie, Jim Mullen, Gilad Atzmon, Alan Barnes, Don Weller, Bob Martin, Roland Perrins' Blue Planet Orchestra, Dave O'Higgins, Derek Nash, Steve Waterman, Peter King and John Etheridge. "Christiane is an excellent tenor saxophonist, with a warm broad tone and clean singing high notes which are highly emotive, and with sometimes a Trane cry in his sound” - Ian Carr. "..rampaging tenor saxophonist that explodes the myth of British understatement" - Humphrey Lyttleton.

Tuesday, 1 December, 2009

2009-12-01T15:22:00.000Z

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Jim Mullen (guitar)
Mike Gorman (organ)
Clive Fenner (drums)

Tuesday, 24 November, 2009

2009-11-24T12:21:00.000Z

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Carlos Lopez-Real (alto & soprano saxes)
Barry Green (piano)
Michael Coady (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

In-demand saxophonist Carlos Lopez-Real, who studied with David Liebman in New York, is the founder of e17 jazz, the East London-based collective spawned out of both F-IRE and LOOP associations, whose members include Brigitte Beraha, John Turville, Adam Bishop, Will Collier, Jez Franks and Dave Manington. Carlos has collaborated with Zoe Rahman, Gary Husband and the Nicolas Meier Group, and held the sax chair in John Mayer's classic band Indo-Jazz Fusions. He also features with salsa king Roberto Pla and the Tito Puente Orchestra. Tonight we welcome Carlos to the East Side for the first time. Pianist Barry Green however has "previous", with many polished performances here at the club bearing testimony to his excellence.

Tuesday, 17 November, 2009

2009-11-17T08:53:00.000Z

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Dick Pearce (trumpet)
Steve Melling (piano)
Geoff Gascoyne (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

"More than any other British jazz trumpeter, Pearce probably deserves the mantle of heir to Jimmy Deuchar, offering a style that contains a fractured lyricism reminiscent of his forebear. Pearce began his career as a military band musician and subsequently emerged in the 1970s from one of the earliest editions of that ongoing jazz dynasty, the National Youth Jazz Orchestra (NYJO). Surrounded by would-be plugged-in Miles Davis clones, and by those musicians who had reached attention through the very different apprenticeship of free music, Pearce was notable for being the kind of straight ahead player who might well have appeared on the London jazz scene twenty years earlier. He has a sophisticated command of harmonic improvising, although, as with his self-confessed (and disparate) trumpet heroes - Chet Baker, Art Farmer and Don Cherry - his playing comes across as anything but contrived. Pearce had a lengthy association with Ronnie Scott which lasted from the 1970s until Scott's health forced him to abandon performing in the mid-1990s, and some of his best recorded work can be found on the CD Never Pat A Burning Dog (Jazz House, 1990), where his solos contrast admirably with Scott's more forthright contributions, and contain a heat and urgency never far beneath the cool surface." - Simon Spillett

Tuesday, 10 November, 2009

2009-11-10T14:59:00.000Z

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Frank Griffith (tenor sax)
Dick Pearce (trumpet)
John Etheridge (guitar)
Pete Whittaker (organ)
Clive Fenner (drums)

Who said the supergroup was dead? Tonight's offering includes musicians more familiar with headlining their own groups: Frank Griffith hails from Oregon and then New York. As a composer and arranger he has worked with Jon Hendricks, Lionel Hampton and Ron Carter. Probably best known on the London scene for his excellent Nonet, formed in 1997. Ace trumpeter Dick Pearce had a lengthy association with Ronnie Scott which lasted from the 1970s until Scott's health forced him to abandon performing in the mid-1990s. “If John Etheridge weren’t so brilliant he might be more famous. His versatility is confusing. What other guitarist could have begun his career as a member of Soft Machine and the Stephan Grappelli Quintet?” - Dave Gelly, Observer. “One of the best guitarists in the world” - Pat Metheny.

Tuesday, 3 November, 2009

2009-11-03T11:33:00.000Z

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Tony Coe (tenor sax & clarinet)
John Horler (piano)
Andrew Cleyndert (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

Tuesday, 27 October, 2009

2009-10-27T16:26:00.000Z

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Lewis Wright (vibes)
Steve Pringle (piano)
Pete Randall (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

Now something of a veteran, Lewis Wright began his musical education a little earlier than most - drum lessons from his father, a percussion teacher, at the age of 3, followed by the piano at 7 then vibraphone at age 9. Lewis gave his first public performance age 6 and by 10 was the youngest ever member of the Norwich Students Jazz Orchestra - he retired aged 13. Work credits include Stan Sulzmann, Clark Tracey, Julian Siegel, Martin Drew, Laurence Cottle, Bill le Sage, Jack Parnell and Mark Lockheart. 2001 saw the formation of the Lewis Wright Quartet and this year Lewis was invited to join the award winning group Empirical.

Tuesday, 20 October, 2009

2009-10-20T16:37:00.001+01:00

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Chris Batchelor (trumpet)
Julian Siegel (tenor & soprano saxes)
Phil Robson (guitar)
Dudley Phillips (bass guitar)
Clive Fenner (drums)

Tonight sees the welcome return of two highly respected musicians and good friends of the club, Chris Batchelor and Julian Siegel. Chris began playing trumpet with Steve Buckley and Django Bates in 1979 and soon after with Dudu Pukwana’s Zila. He was a founder member and composer for Loose Tubes from 1983-1990, touring extensively in Europe and the US, releasing three acclaimed albums. He's a senior lecturer in Jazz at Middlesex University. Julian has become one of the most in-demand saxophonists on the scene today. Winner of "Best Instrumentalist" at the BBC Jazz Awards 2007, amongst his many projects he continues to co-lead the inestimable Partisans with guitarist Phil Robson - himself recently crowned "Jazz Musician of the Year" at the 2009 Parliamentary Jazz Awards.

Tuesday, 13 October, 2009

2009-10-13T21:07:00.000+01:00

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Sam Mayne (alto & tenor saxes)
Steve Fishwick (trumpet & flugel)
Jim Watson (piano)
Mark Hodgson (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

Sam Mayne's debut at the East Side came earlier this year when he played alto sax on John Horler's gig. Suffice to say that the strength and creativity of his performance that evening more than merits an early invitation to return, this time as leader. A former student of the Royal Academy of Music, Sam's work credits include Billy Cobham, Amy Winehouse, BBC Big Band & Concert Orchestra, Joe Locke, Victor Bailey, Django Bates, Tim Garland, Stan Tracey, Joe Lovano, Bud Shank, Patti Austin and Gladys Knight. Trumpeter Steve Fishwick is already a firm favourite here with his stylish and perfectly executed take on the classic hard bop sound.

Tuesday, 6 October, 2009

2009-10-06T14:26:00.000+01:00

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Benn Clatworthy (tenor sax & flute)
Robin Aspland (piano)
Simon Thorpe (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)

Tuesday, 29 September, 2009

2009-09-29T15:39:00.000+01:00

8.30 - 11.00pm
£5 on the door

Jay Phelps (trumpet)
Shabaka Hutchings (tenor sax)
Jonathan Gee (piano)
Karl Rasheed-Abel (bass)
Clive Fenner (drums)