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.

Lunchtime Jazz
Monday 13 April, 2pm
Guildford Institute, Ward Street GU1 4LH

Former winner of the Young Scottish Musician of the Year and a member of the Humphrey Lyttelton Band, Jo Fooks is a wonderful tenor saxophonist with a mellow tone that’s often compared to that of jazz legend Stan Getz. Joining Jo is the hard-swinging pianist John Pearce, whose career has taken him all over the world playing with such jazz royalty as Anita O’Day, Peggy Lee and Art Farmer. Guildford Jazz anchor Marianne Windham completes the line-up on double bass.

Chuck Israels
Wednesday 8 April,8pm
Guildford Pavilion, Woodbridge Road GU1 4RP

A rare European performance from the great American bassist Chuck Israels. Chuck has worked with such jazz luminaries as Billie Holiday, Coleman Hawkins, Stan Getz and John Coltrane. Chuck will be joined by tenor saxophonist Fraser Smith, guitarist Jonas Metsäkylä and drummer Steve Brown

Organik Trio
Friday 24 April, 8pm
Stoke Hotel, Stoke Road GU1 4JN

An evening of swing, grooves and inventive improvisation with the brilliant Deirdre Cartwright, voted ‘Best Guitarist’ at the 2019 British Jazz Awards and presenter of the BBC’s ground-breaking series Rockschool. Her new organ trio, Organik, features Pete Whittaker on Hammond Organ and Gary Hammond on percussion. You'll be treated to the sounds of the classic jazz organ/guitar trios of the 1960s plus some original takes on the music of The Beatles, Doors, Curtis Mayfield and Kate Bush.

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