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.

Hexagonal: The Music of Bheki Mseleku and McCoy Tyner
Thursday 6 March

This sextet, with African and Jazz influences, was formed in late 2016, to perform the music of two titans of jazz - American McCoy Tyner and South African jazz pianist and saxophonist Bheki Mseleku. The band came from the experience of working and touring with both Bheki and McCoy, which brings authenticity to the group’s music.

7.15pm
Guildford Pavilion, Woodbridge Road, Guildford, GU1 4RP.

Benn Clatworthy
Wednesday 19 March

From storming post-Coltrane energy to beautiful ballad playing, Los Angeles-based Benn Clatworthy has matured into a truly great tenor player. He was a huge hit with the Guildford Jazz audience on his last visit in 2013 for his emotional playing and his dry sense of humour.

7.15pm

Guildford Pavilion, Woodbridge Road, Guildford, GU1 4RP

Huw Warren: “Choro, Choro, Choro”
Thursday 27 March

Celebrating Choro, the vibrant beating heart of Brazilian music, “Choro, Choro, Choro” explores music from the 1880s to the present day by composers such as Ernesto Nazareth, Chiquinha Gonzaga, Pixinguinha, and modern masters such as Guinga and Hermeto Pascoal. Huw Warren has created several projects around the music of Brazil, including collaborations with Jovino Santos Neto, a critically acclaimed recording of Hermeto's music in 2009 and a trio record for CAM Jazz ‘Everything in Between’ in 2019.

8pm

Performing Arts Studio (PATS), University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH.

Visit guildfordjazz.org.uk to book

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