Wed 27 March
Booking link https://www.wegottickets.com/event/607297
Band Line Up
JOHN WILLIAMSON — Bass
IMMY CHURCHILL — Voice
JONNY MANSFIELD — Vibraphone
JAY DAVIS — Drums
Born in northeast England, since arriving in London John Williamson has performed across the jazz gamut alongside musicians including Helena Kay, Dominic Ingham, Jo Harrop, Nigel Price, Sam Braysher, Matt Anderson and many more. In 2023 he recorded his first album as a composer/bandleader, set for release later in 2024, and graduated from the Royal Academy of Music, winning the Scott Philbrick prize for outstanding postgraduate recital.
John’s writing draws on a varied musical upbringing and influences including Charlie Haden, Lee Konitz and Carla Bley, guided by a ruthlessly focused melodic instinct. He is joined by a band of renowned creative musicians — Immy Churchill, Jonny Mansfield and Jay Davis — for a set combining standards, folk and a selection of originals including those from the forthcoming album release.
“razor-sharp reactions to a constantly shifting musical landscape… delivered in spades.” – bebop spoken here
Wed 3 April
Booking link https://tickets.crazycoqs.com/tickets/series/SJSFIL24/spice-jazz-soho-the-filthy-six-926078?startDate=04-03-2024
The Filthy Six are one of the most exciting, authentic soul jazz outfits in the UK today, and have established themselves as one of the most electric live acts on the scene.
Line-up:
NICK ETWELL trumpet/flugelhorn,
MARK BROWN tenor sax.
JAMES FENN guitar,
PETE WHITAKER organ,
SIMON LEA drums
Their soaring horns, blistering guitar and gut-wrenching organ are fuelled by one of the hardest grooving rhythm sections around, producing a hip-shakingly powerful mix of jazz, funk and boogaloo totally in keeping with the finest traditions of the late 60s Blue Note/Prestige sound. Led by Trumpeter Nick Etwell (Tom Jones/Beck/David Axelrod/Mumford & Sons), this band of musical gunslingers have worked with some of the biggest names in music: Amy Winehouse, Mavis Staples, Ronnie Spector, Mark Ronson, Jill Scott, Jack White, Dionne Warwick, The Foo Fighters, Robbie Williams, Duran Duran, Chrissie Hynde, Noel Gallagher, Disclosure, Fred Wesley, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats and Spiritualized to name a few.
Their recent EP “Soho Filth” received both acclaim and airplay from the scene’s most notable luminaries, including Craig Charles, Cerys Mathews, Huey Morgan (BBC 6 Music); DJ Lil’ Koko (Jazz FM), James Endeacott (Soho Radio) and Jamie Cullum (BBC Radio 2).
These instrumental groove merchants fuse boundless energy and musicianship to create tight, funky music for the mind, body and soul; guaranteed to leave you wanting more.
“There are so many talented players in this band, they’re absolutely brilliant!” – Jamie Cullum, BBCRadio2
“Led with brassy authority by trumpeter Nick Etwell this punchy band recalled the muscular funk of Jimmy Smith and Brother Jack McDuff… dazzling guitar breaks and appropriately booting sax solos went down a treat! “
★★★★ London Evening Standard
“Their heady mix of soul jazz flavours and bad-ass boogaloo, wrapped up with a vibrant energy and sense of humour keeps the crowd hooked from the moment they walk on stage. A sure fire bet every time!” – Dom Servini (Wah Wah 45s / Shook) – London Jazz Festival
“Back to their Filthy best with their mastery of that 60s Soul Jazz groove” – Craig Charles Funk & Soul Show, BBC6Music
“A tasty soulful stew, designed to get London swinging again!” – Shindig! Magazine
“Stylistic, funk-soaked jazz “ – Jazzwise
Wed 10 April
Booking linkhttps://www.brasseriezedel.com/events/spice-jazz-soho-maddy-coombs-quartet/
Line up:
Maddy Coombs – tenor sax
Sultan Stevenson – piano
Zoe Pascal – drums
Menelik Claffey – bass
Maddy Coombs is a young up-and-coming tenor saxophonist from Northampton. She has played alongside Judi Jackson, Soweto Kinch and Mark Kavuma, as well as having performed her own music at venues including, We Out Here Festival and Pizza Express Jazz Club.
Having all met through the Tomorrow’s Warriors jazz program at a young age and playing together in various forms for many years, this band consists of the next up-and-coming talent on the London Jazz Scene.
They will be playing primarily Maddy’s original music, which draws influence from Coltrane, Blakey and other jazz greats, as well as being heavily inspired by the current jazz scenes around the world.
Wed 17 April
Booking link https://tickets.crazycoqs.com/tickets/series/SJSTRANS24/spice-jazz-soho-the-transatlantic-club-ft-irene-serra-926084
Line up:
Adrien Chevalier – Violin
Irene Serra – Vocals
Ben Creighton Griffiths – Harp
Ashley John Long – bass
The Transatlantic Hot Club are delighted to return to London to perform at Crazy Coqs on their Spring 2024 UK Tour. Featuring Adrien Chevalier (New York) on Violin, Ben Creighton Griffiths (Cardiff) on Harp and Ashley John Long (Cardiff) on bass, the Hot Club line up will be completed by an extra special guest – the wonderful Irene Serra on voice! Expect to hear Swing classics, Django standards, and Latin Bossa Nova explored with a totally unique take on the style of Grappelli and Reinhardt.
Wed 24 April
Booking link https://tickets.crazycoqs.com/tickets/series/SJSDONA24/spice-jazz-soho-donovan-haffner-926088
Line up:
Donovan Haffner – Alto Saxophone
Francisco Garcia de Paredes – Guitar
Jay Verma – Piano
Harry Pearce – bass
Harry Ling - Drums
22 year old Donovan Haffner is an alto saxophonist who is currently studying at the Royal Academy of Music, undertaking a BMus degree, specialising in jazz.
Donovan has played with a multitude of professional musicians including the big contemporary British names such as Moses Boyd, and Jay Phelps, and European contemporary names such as Rasmus Sorenson.
Gary Crosby OBE, Alex Davis and Binker Golding of Tomorrow’s Warriors were amongst some of his mentors in his earlier years.
Donovan’s musicianship has already seen him play London jazz gigs at Ronnie Scott’s, The Jazz Café, The Vortex and Pizza Express Soho and Holborn as well as appearing at festivals including, EFG London Jazz Festival, Pitchfork Festival, Manchester Jazz Festival, We Out Here Festival and Brainchild.
Donovan leads his quintet featuring band members Donovan Haffner (alto sax), Francisco Garcia de Paredes (guitar), Jay Verma (piano), Harry Pearce (bass) and Harry Ling (drums). The group plays originals written by Donovan, striving to create music which is contemporary whilst still honouring the rich history of jazz music.
Wed 1 May
Booking link https://tickets.crazycoqs.com/tickets/series/SJSYET24/spice-jazz-soho-yetii-ft-jake-mcmurchie-926089
Line Up:
ALEX VEITCH: Piano
ASHLEY JOHN LONG: Double Bass
ALEX GOODYEAR: Drums
Special Guest: JAKE McMURCHIE: Tenor Saxophone
‘Yetii‘ is a Bristol based acoustic jazz trio. The group creates a sound world of complex yet consonant harmony supporting simple, singable melodies. Solos morph into intense group improvisations that focus on interlocking, minimalist fragments: a shared single voice that ebbs and flows between and within the band’s original compositions.
Whilst most of the audience wouldn’t have previously identified as jazz fans what they do pick up on is the spirit of interplay at work between the musicians in front of them. Throwaway washy quintuplet outros, B sections like a Disney movie chorus: this is serious jazz craft in an accessible guise facilitated by detailed compositions that give space for the musicians to be spontaneous and change direction.
“all played with great beauty and sensitivity… A standing ovation greeted the end of their set” —
Jazzwise (live review)
“a performance that both enthralled and delighted the audience”
★★★★★ The Jazz Mann (live review)
“a trio of fluent and wildly inventive improvisers”
London Jazz News
“the crisp recording beautifully separates the richly sonorous bass and scintillating drums from Veitch’s carefully crafted melodic lines”— Jazz Views
Wed 8 May
Booking link https://tickets.crazycoqs.com/tickets/series/SJSCHRIS24/spice-jazz-soho-chris-rands-the-gathering-926091
Line-up:
Chris Rand – saxes
Rob Updegraff – guitar
Andrew Noble – organ
Jason Reeve – drums
“A true musician’, musician” – Blues & Soul Magazine
“A self-confessed Rock ’n’ Roller’ who flirts with Jazz” – Jazzwise Magazine
“engaging listening and a thoroughbred” – Jazz Views
A multi-instrumentalist and composer, Chris Rand’s affinity with the saxophone is the driving force behind his music. His second album under his own ‘Gathering: Rebound’ released on Lunaria Records; encapsulating the warm conviviality of a late night jazz club, it is an exploration of the contrasting musical influences which have shaped his sound.
Chris has performed and recorded with many of the UK’s top Jazz and Blues artists, including names such as Charlie Watts, Ronnie Wood, Dennis Chambers, Mick Taylor and Jools Holland. He has been part of the Bad Manners cohort, as well as touring with The James Hunter Six, Nine Below Zero, Tankus The Henge, Crowd Company, The Ben Waters Band, and Squeeze.
Pursuing his passion for creating original music, Chris formed his own band in 2016 and released his debut album ‘Gathering’, featuring special guests Derek Nash, Dave Green and Ben Waters. Since then, in addition to his own projects, he has collaborated with many bands, contributing both dynamically on stage and artistically behind the scenes.
Chris has been touring worldwide now for 15 years. Across the UK, he has performed in venues such as Ronnie Scotts, Pizza Express Jazz Club; The Albert Hall, O2 Indigo; The 100 Club and Shepherd’s Bush Empire. He has played both local and international festivals including Glastonbury and London Jazz.
He is a Sax player with a sound that packs a punch. The unswerving dedication, energy and commitment of his playing is gaining huge ground; he’s a wanted man with heavy weight credentials.
Wed 15 May
Booking link https://tickets.crazycoqs.com/tickets/series/SJSMILO24/spice-jazz-soho-daniel-migliosi-quintet-2024-926092
Line Up:
DANIEL MIGLIOSI trumpet
SEAN PAYNE tenor sax
BENEDIKT GÖB piano
KAISA MÄENSIVU bass
KAI CRAIG drums
“Sound, power, attack, authority, Daniel Migliosi surprises the listener through a will that is quite unusual for a musician of his generation.”– Fred Goaty, Jazz Magazine
Young upcoming Luxembourgish trumpeter with his stellar pan-European band playing hard bop and swing, launching his exciting debut album.
Born in Luxembourg, the burgeoning trumpeter Daniel Migliosi has swiftly carved a niche for himself within the realm of jazz, garnering acclaim for his first album, ‘LEFT ON SCENE.’ Renowned for his proficiency with the trumpet, his music deftly channels the nostalgic tones of swing and modern jazz, an ode to the musical landscape of his formative years.
In his latest musical endeavour, Migliosi has assembled a group comprising both cherished friends and luminaries of the international jazz scene from Finland, Luxembourg and the UK. With ‘LEFT ON SCENE’ serving as a testament to Migliosi’s musical prowess, his quintet offers the enduring vitality of jazz, masterfully rendered in a way that will captivate audiences and rekindle the spirit of this timeless genre.
Wed 24 May
Booking link https://tickets.crazycoqs.com/tickets/series/SJSMILO24/spice-jazz-soho-daniel-migliosi-quintet-2024-926092
Line Up:
Phil Merriman Piano
John Williamson bass
Simon Roth Drums
Ant Law Guitar
This much anticipated new group brings together the extraordinary talents of Phil Merriman (piano), John Williamson (bass) and Simon Roth (drums). Presenting material from their new album, ‘The Roots Beneath’, the Phil Merriman Trio take the listener on a musical and human journey exploring the graft behind a life well lived. The music is influenced by a wide range of styles from the lyrical folk melodies of Bartok to the darker harmonic tones of Messiaen, underpinned by shifting rhythms that provide a platform for soul-searching improvisation.
The trio welcomes acclaimed innovator and guitarist Ant Law, in what promises to be a life-affirming and unforgettable evening.
London-based jazz pianist, composer and arranger; Phil Merriman has had the privilege of working alongside musicians and artists in a wide variety of contexts across the UK and abroad. Phil has performed with artists such as Andrew Small, Aref Durvesh, Tony Kofi, Polly Gibbons, Selina Albright, Shola Ama, Tim Boniface and Tara Minton.
Phil has recorded with artists including pianist John Taylor, Matt Gough, Andy Cleyndert, Paul Kimber, John Williamson, Simon Roth, and Raph Clarkson. Phil has performed in BBC Proms Plus events, including an improvisation and poetry workshop with BBC Radio 3 presenter Ian McMillan. He has also led large-scale music education projects alongside Pete Churchill, including composing, arranging and conducting for performances at the Royal Albert Hall.
He holds a Performance Diploma in Piano (ABRSM) and was awarded the Ed Burrell Prize for Performance while studying Music at the University of York where he studied Jazz Piano with John Taylor.
Wed 29 May
Booking link https://tickets.crazycoqs.com/tickets/series/SJSSAHR24/spice-jazz-soho-sahra-gure-band-926100
Line up:
SAHRA GURE: Vocals and piano
ALEX WILSON: Piano
JACK ROBSON: Drums
HUGO PIPER: Bass
Winner of the Musicians’ Company Young Jazz Musician Award 2019, Sahra is already pipped by Jazzwise as ‘one to watch in 2020’ Sahra’s self-released her debut EP ‘Love Me, With Me’ which received support from Bandcamp Daily, BBC Radio 1, BBC 1Xtra, Worldwide FM, Rinse FM, Jazz FM, Radio Nova & TSF Jazz.
Berlin-born, London based, from a young age SAHRA was immersed in all things music. Having been through Aldeburgh Young Musicians program she later accepted a scholarship to study at Jazz Voice at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance.
Growing up she was happiest listening to music: whether it was her dad playing Somali music at home or her friends sharing music at school.
Now she’s most comfortable when surrounded by her musical community which she holds close to her heart. SAHRA can proudly call herself a vocalist, composer and arranger, an artist in the truest sense of the word who you will find either performing on stage or teaching singing part-time at the prestigious Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance.
SAHRA has a range of enviable career highlights including performing at London Jazz Festival, Dimensions, WOMAD, We Out Here as well as receiving cosigns from the likes of; BBC Radio 1, 1Xtra, Worldwide and Rinse FM. After a brief hiatus throughout the lockdowns, SAHRA is back for good and her recent single ‘Sorry’ confirms why, gaining support from; COLORS, BBC Introducing, BBC 1’s Victoria Jane, Worldwide FM, The Line Of Best Fit, and Wonderland to name a few. Exuberting mysticism, she is able to express her individuality through stories, commanding attention with her rich and faultless voice.
Wed 5 June
Booking link https://tickets.crazycoqs.com/tickets/series/SJSSUPER24/spice-jazz-soho-superlocrian-album-launch-926106
Line up:
MD/Composer/Trumpet/Flugelhorn – Sam Massey
Saxophones & Flutes: Jade Gall
Saxophones & Clarinet: Edward Leaker
Tuba: Mike Poyser
Trombone: Terry Kelly
Trumpet & Flugelhorn: Dean Wright
Trumpet & Flugelhorn: Stuart Brooks
Superlocrian is one of the UK’s finest new chamber jazz ensembles.
Following a number of successful performances and festival dates over the last eighteen months, the band has just recorded their debut album “Hills & Valleys” at AIR Studios and the release, along with an accompanying set of album launch tour dates, is planned for Summer 2024 on the Spark! record label.
Led by highly regarded composer Sam Massey, this six-piece wind ensemble contains some of the countries leading jazz soloists, orchestral players and world-class session musicians.
As featured on BBC Radio 3’s In Tune performing top-class new arrangements and compositions, this highly-skilled ensemble blends the sound worlds of brass and woodwind from across genres in a fresh and exciting format.
Wed 12 June
Booking link https://tickets.crazycoqs.com/tickets/series/SJSSUL24/spice-jazz-soho-clara-green-926108
Line up:
Clara Green: Vocals
Andrea Di Biase: Double-bass
Bruno Heinen: Piano
Riccardo Chiaberta: Drums
Swedish jazz vocalist Clara Green and her quartet released their debut album ‘Being Green’ (Honolulu Records) on February 2024.
Green’s original compositions and arrangements are brought to life through the fresh sounding collective alertness and musical sensitivity of three highly acclaimed London based musicians: pianist Bruno Heinen (Denys Baptiste, Larry Bartley), double bassist Andrea Di Biase (Julian Arguelles, Kenny Wheeler) and drummer Riccardo Chiaberta (Maria Chiara Argiro, Paolino Dalla Porta). Their unique voices and creative presences complete Clara’s vision for the group’s first album.
The Clara Green Quartet first started taking form back in 2016 when the band members discovered a mutual appreciation for the 1964 album ‘Waltz for Debby’ by the Bill Evans Trio and Swedish vocalist Monica Zetterlund. Inspired by this classic collaboration the group started experimenting with the possibilities of merging the rich Swedish folk music tradition with jazz. The resulting soundscape presents an original approach to textural and harmonic exploration, whilst maintaining a strong melodic connotation and a sense of storytelling.
Join the Clara Green Quartet for a night where the gripping earthy sounds of the north meets the London jazz scene. Expect everything from solos infused with Nordic cattle calling to inventive yet wholesome renditions of jazz standards.
“A compelling performer and composer with a strong sense of integrity – I look forward to the Clara Green Quartet’s upcoming release” – Sara Colman
Wed 19 June
Line Up:
Rosina Bullen – Voice
Evan Main – Piano
Nick Pennington – Guitar
Mathias Jensen – Bass
Angus Mason – Drums
“The gorgeous warmth of Rosina’s vocals fly and fluber across the track playfully reminiscent of Joni Mitchell.” — RGM Press
“It is an impassioned and slightly nostalgic ending to the EP, bringing us into the musical world of Rosina Bullen, an exciEng place to be.” — Jazz In Europe, Women In Jazz Media
UK born, Brooklyn based artist Rosina Bullen brings her ‘Indie Song Stories’ to London with the UK Release Show of EP ’Trip To Tikal’.
Rosina Bullen is a UK born, Brooklyn based singer-songwriter who has forged her own path of Indie Folk/Rock, combining her unmistakable vocal style, deep poetic lyrics and trademark genre-melding sound.
Collaborating with the acclaimed producer Hector Castillo, a multi-Grammy award winner, her latest EP, ‘Trip To Tikal,’ showcases her evolving artistry. This June Rosina is bringing her New York-based band to Crazy Coqs, London as a part of their UK release tour presented by Spice Jazz.
Having trained in Jazz in both London and New York her rich Jazz education has influenced her song writing in the way that she approaches harmony, melody and rhythm. Rosina released her debut EP ‘Painting A Picture’ to rave reviews in December 2022.
The music sits at a rich intersection between folk, jazz and indie rock exploring topics of grief, love and empowerment with themes of story-telling, finding oneself, having your heart broken and learning to heal.
Wed 26 June
Booking link