LILY DIOR - SPICEJAZZ presents at Crazycoqs -
Thursday 15 January 2026 - 8:30 pm
Booking linkhttps://www.brasseriezedel.com/events/spice-jazz-soho-presents-lily-dior/
The LILY DIOR BAND present an evening of original soul drenched jazz that will lift your spirits and warm you into the new year.
Featuring some of London’s finest musicians including Tim Lapthorn, Geoff Gascoygne and Rod Youngs, who’ve back a who’s who of the UK and international jazz scene, Lily has written seven songs with bassist extraordinaire Geoff over the last year and will be going into the studio in 2026 to record a new album.
Come and experience this exciting new music and incredible band before it’s released into the world.
Line up:
Lily Dior: Vocals
Geoff Gascoyne: Double bass
Rod Youngs: Drums
Tim Lapthorn: piano
“Lily Dior has two personae – the straight-ahead jazz singer, and , the soul diva… Lily Dior wowed a packed house” UK JAZZ NEWS
“The production is superb, the musicianship exceptional, and Lily’s musicality and singing is breathtaking.”
Mix-Biz UK
SHIRLEY SMART Ft. SAM DUNN - SPICEJAZZ presents at Crazy Coqs
Thursday 12 February 2026- 8:30 pm
Booking link: https://www.brasseriezedel.com/events/spice-jazz-soho-shirley-smart-trio-sam-dunn-new-album-preview/
Acknowledged as one of the UK’s most versatile and creative cellists, trailblazing cellist and composer Shirley Smart is equally at home and well versed in jazz, folk, Middle Eastern and World Music, as well as classical, and her music draws upon this rich tapestry of influences.
Shirley’s trio has toured widely in the UK and abroad. Recent festival highlights include Aberjazz, Birmingham, EFG London Jazz, Scarborough and Somerset Jazz Festivals, Cheltenham, Lichfield and Rye Arts Festivals, Vivacello Festival in Moscow, Biennale Festival at Bimhuis, Amsterdam and Klaipeda Cello Festival in Lithuania.
Drawing on a background of 10 years living in Jerusalem and working with the overlapping worlds of jazz, Arabic, Turkish and North African music, her trio brings these influences together in an evening of vibrant melodies, grooves, swing and lively improvisation. Showcasing her unique ability to explore the potential of the cello in a jazz context, performing multiple roles as bassist, lead and soloist on the instrument, and featuring also some of the UK’s leading lights in world-influenced jazz – John Crawford on piano, and Demi Garcia Sabat on percussion, this dynamic group promises an evening of inspired music-making. With special guest: Sam Dunn – Guitar
‘A superb set - a sound world that is at once rooted in the ancient and traditional musics that it draws from in an utterly contemporary manner that also incorporates modern jazz. This is an exceptionally strong leadership debut from a lady that I’m sure we are destined to hear much more from.’ – Jazzviews
“Long Story Short represents another impressive offering from Smart and is a worthy début under her own name.The album covers an impressive amount of musical and geographical ground with its range of styles and influences. Smart’s playing, both with and without the bow, is exceptional throughout….a stunning pizzicato solo, her playing reminiscent of a top jazz bassist. And she’s pretty handy with the bow too!” – The JazzMann
‘As a cellist-composer she morphs seamlessly from Stephane Grappelli like swing and Bird-like bebop…a charming kaleidoscope and jazzy showcase of her global folk music-inspired compositions’ – Jazzwise
“Intense, lyrical and full of energy….A thrilling range on technique on display…Smart’s cello singing, snarling or pumping out bass line….Fascinating listening, and thought-provoking entertainment for the open-eared” –
The Arts Desk
“…some of the most inventive use of the cello I have heard for some time..”
– Kind of Jazz
“Smarts playing is particularly remarkable..she readily demonstrates a wide range of techniques incorporating an understanding of improvisation drawn from a jazz background and her extensive knowledge of Arabic maqam…” – Songlines
“A fascinating melting pot of musical influences” – World Music Central
MACIEK PYSZ QUARTET - Album Lauch - SPICEJAZZ presents at Crazycoqs
Thursday 12 March - 8:30 pm
Booking link: https://www.brasseriezedel.com/events/spice-jazz-soho-maciek-pysz-quartet-pont-de-vie-album-launch/
Join internationally acclaimed guitarist and composer Maciek Pysz for a special London concert celebrating the forthcoming release of his new album, Pont De Vie, out in March 2026 on ABeat Records.
For this exclusive preview at Crazy Coqs, Maciek brings together a remarkable quartet featuring Charles Kieny on accordion, John Turville on piano, and Yuri Goloubev on double bass.
Blending lyrical melodies, cinematic soundscapes and the subtle pulse of jazz and European folk traditions, Pont De Vie is a deeply personal work that reflects Maciek’s life between cities, cultures and musical worlds.
Audiences will be among the first to hear this new repertoire performed live, with the quartet’s interplay bringing the music’s colours and emotions vividly to life.
Expect an evening of elegance, warmth and expressive musicianship in one of London’s most atmospheric venues.
Line up:
Maciek Pysz: Guitar
John Turville: Piano
Yuri Goloubev: Double-bass
Charles Kieny: Accordion
“Maciek Pysz is an impressive guitarist!”
Ian Maund, Sandy Brown Jazz
“There is some beautiful stuff here – a must for jazz guitar fans”
Stephen Graham, Marlbank
“The lyrical guitar of Maciek Pysz once again adds another dimension”
Sammy Stein, Jazzviews
“Pysz is a quiet virtuoso who has developed into one of the most distinctive guitarists around”
Ian Mann, The Jazz Mann
“The crisp balance of sound and space in this recording is flawless…it’s great to witness the development of Maciek Pysz’s own musical personality”
Adrian Pallant, London Jazz News
“Pysz is an established star in his own right, and alternates here not only between accompaniment and duelling lead but also between electric and acoustic as the mood changes, with plenty here for the guitar aficionado.”
Chris K, Bebop Spoken Here