FROM FRIDAY EVENING MARCH 22ND TO SUNDAY EVENING MARCH 24TH WE WILL BE CELEBRATING THE BRISTOL JAZZ FESTIVAL.

 

Enjoy an action packed line up of amazing Jazz, Latin, Swing, Big Band and Blues – playing throughout the Tobacco Factory Café Bar, and with our friends upstairs in the Tobacco Factory Theatre where you can find Bristol Jazz Festival ticketed events.

Read on to find out what’s in store on our free stage…

SUNDAYS LINE UP

11AM – UWE BIG BAND

Every Year The Bristol Jazz Festival creates an opportunity for young musicians to have a platform to perform in front a live audience.

This is an integral part of our ethos… to connect young up and coming players with professional Jazz musicians in the hope of inspiring the next generation.

As a 25 strong group of students, alumni, staff and community members representing the University of the West of England under the direction of Keith Morgan, UWE Big Band play all the jazz and swing favourites from Nina Simone to Duke Ellington. The band have won three awards at the National Concert Band festival held at Royal Northern College of Music and performed with musicians including Louis Dowdeswell and the Ronnie Scott’s All Stars. UWE Big Band are part of UWE Bristol Centre for Music providing all UWE students with free access to music opportunities. Find out more at www.uwe.ac.uk/music.

12PM –  THE GOOD STUFF GOSPEL CHOIR

The Good Stuff is a 14 piece live gospel, RnB, neo soul and contemporary choir featuring a full professional rhythm section performing the likes of Kirk Franklin, Hozier and Jill Scott. The band’s message is irrespective of faith, only encouraging the enjoyment of uplifting music and the power of song. 

Based in the South West of England, they have played festivals including Bristol Jazz Fest and Jazz Stroud while becoming household names at celebrated, intimate venues such as The Gallimaufry (Bristol), The Bell Inn (Bath) and The Prince Albert (Stroud).

2:30PM – HENRY’S HOT SIX

Henry Davies has been playing jazz in Bristol for over half a century, he started his 10 piece band Henry’s Bootblacks in 1964, this special gig will celebrate the bands 60th anniversary. 

Over the years Henry has toured with bands such as the Temperance Seven, The New vaudeville band and was a member of the Wurzels for several years in the late 60s and early 70s. Henry’s hot six have been performing every Tuesday at the Chelsea in Easton for nearly 20 years which by most accounts is the longest running weekly residency in the city.

5:30PM – SHADES OF SHEARING

Top UK line-up led by pianist Nick Tomalin dedicated to performing the music of the great George Shearing. 

Line-up: NICK TOMALIN piano; NAT STEELE vibraphone, DAVE WARREN guitar, DOMINIC HOWLES bass & MATT FISHWICK drums

The show will celebrate the distinctive sound of the classic Shearing Quintet as well as highlighting the work of this influential and important British pianist who found fame when he settled in the US in the late 40s. The repertoire includes Shearing’s best known compositions and arrangements of ‘Lullaby of Birdland’ and ‘September in the Rain’ but also features slightly more obscure tunes like ‘Consternation’ and ‘Quintessence’

Nick formed the band in 2021, following the instrumentation of the classic Shearing Quintet from the 1950’s and 60’s, and since then they have performed at many prestigious jazz venues including Ronnie Scott’s Club, Peggy’s Skylight, and the Concorde Club. In 2023 the band received some funding from Help Musicians to record their debut album which will be released later this year.

8:00PM – TAMMY PAYNE 

After releasing a couple of dance chart hits, notably “Take Me Now” on Gilles Peterson’s now iconic label Talkin Loud in the early 90’s, Tammy took a U-Turn. Rather than make the soul / dance album fans expected, she took time out to play congas in salsa bands, travel to Brazil to learn bossa nova and release eclectic music under various guises. This period saw her sing, drum and write with a long line of co-producers including Boca 45, Sissi, Smith and Mighty and Jukes as well as touring as a drummer with PJ Harvey producer John Parish.

The covers album Don’t Think Twice on Edition records presents her as a great story – teller as well as radical re-interpreter of classic songs.

“Tammy Payne is one of the finest jazz and soul singers that the UK has produced in the last two decades” Kevin Le Gendre **** BBC ONLINE

“Intense and innovative” **** MOJO
“An outstanding quartet” THE INDEPENDENT

Tammy is joined by Trombonist Joe Bradford, Multi-instrumentalist Ruth Hammond , Bassist Will Harris, and Drummer Paolo Adamo.

 

…And if that wasn’t enough – join us for the famous JAM SESSIONS, 10pm till late each evening.

This years Jam Session hosts are the brilliant JAZZ DEFENDERS; so bring along an instrument and take part, or grab a drink, relax, and enjoy the music.