Jazz

2026

 

January 23rd

Andy Davies/Nigel Price Quartet

https://www.instagram.com/andydaviestrumpet

https://www.facebook.com/andydaviesjazz

https://nigethejazzer.com/

 

Andy Davies trumpet, Nigel Price guitar, Mirko Scarcia bass and Jamie Murray drums

 

Virtuoso trumpeter Andy Davies has been leading the house band at the Ronnie Scott’s upstairs jam session for at least the last 15 years. A courageous and indefatigable hard bop player of the highest level, he’s one of the most accomplished and exciting jazz musicians we have here.

 

Over a career spanning more than 25 years, award winning jazz guitarist Nigel Price has become widely acknowledged as one of the finest jazz guitarists in the business. Nigel is a regular performer at London’s Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club where he has made more than 500 appearances

 

Similarly, Mirko Scarcia and Jamie Murray are no strangers at Ronnie Scott’s where the Upstairs Jam house band consists of a core of around a dozen of London’s finest.

 

 

DOORS AND LICENSED BAR OPEN AT 7.00PM

MUSIC AT 8.00PM

 

Tickets £14 on the door

 

 

 

  

February 20th

Ted Beament Trio

 

Ted Beament piano, Andy Cleyndert bass, Rob Brown drums

 

No stranger to Marigolds, local lad Ted Beament makes a very welcome return, not in a supporting role this time but with his own trio as befits one of the finest pianists in Britain.

Ted played in the Humphrey Lyttelton band for many, many years and over the years has played with a Who's Who of British and many international notable jazz musicians.

 

He has given us fine demonstrations of the art of the piano trio in the past and today he brings another great rhythm sections to support him.

 

 

 

DOORS AND LICENSED BAR OPEN AT 7.00PM

MUSIC AT 8.00PM

 

Tickets £14 on the door

 

 

March 20th  

Matt Wates Quartet

https://www.mattwates.co.uk/

 

Matt Wates sax, Leon Greening keys, Julian Bury bass, Matt Fishwick drums.

 

London born Matt Wates has played at Marigolds before but surprisingly not since lock down, an aberration we can only now correct. Award winning Matt has played with and recorded with numerous talented artists. He has been described as the most swinging alto player on either side of the Atlantic and a performer of boundless ability.

 

Leon Greening on keyboards has performed at Marigolds but again for some reason only once since lockdown. A world-renowned pianist Leon has played and recorded with many leading jazz artists and has performed regularly at Ronnie Scott’s as well as many other prestigious venues.

 

 

DOORS AND LICENSED BAR OPEN AT 7.00PM

MUSIC AT 8.00PM

 

Tickets £14 on the door

 

 

 

April 17th

Alice and David Black Quintet

https://aliceblackmusic.com/

 

Alice Black vocals, David Black on sax and flute, John Pearce on piano, John Pettitt on double-bass and Dave Pack on drums,

 

A new band to Marigolds but come highly recommended presenting an evening of timeless jazz standards and a bit of magic between saxophone and voice! 

Alice started singing professionally whilst studying music at Sheffield University and has since worked all over the UK in both the Jazz and Big Band scenes with some of the country’s finest musicians.

A graduate of Boston’s famous Berklee College, David is as astonishingly talented on flute and clarinet as he is on tenor sax.

 

Together they make a very talented and entertaining combo.

 

 

 

DOORS AND LICENSED BAR OPEN AT 7.00PM

MUSIC AT 8.00PM

 

Tickets £14 on the door

 

 

 

 

May 22nd  

Simon Spillett Quartet

https://www.simonspillett.com/

https://www.alecdankworth.com/

https://petecater.org/bio-1

 

 

Simon Spillett sax, Ted Beament keys, Alec Dankworth bass, Pete Cater drums.

 

Simon is a charismatic performer, gifted with a dry observational wit. He has never lost sight of the fact that jazz is entertainment as much as self-expression and whether playing, writing or articulately holding forth on his favourite subject – UK jazz history – he is an infectiously passionate communicator.

 

Over his entire career Simon Spillett has worn almost as many hats as it's possible to wear within jazz; multi-award-winning instrumentalist (BBC Jazz Awards, British Jazz Awards, Jazz Journal's Album of The Year), quartet and big band leader, recording artist, author, historian, record producer, archivist, magazine columnist and latterly blogger.

 

However, for all these varied skills he identifies most strongly as a powerfully swinging, straight-ahead tenor saxophonist, one capable of taking the audiences who hear him on a roller-coaster ride encompassing everything from energetic bebop to heartfelt balladry.

 

And it’s in this guise that he’s become a solid fixture on the UK jazz landscape, regularly playing sold-out gigs at major festivals (EFG London Jazz Festival, Brecon, Swanage, Scarborough, Wigan etc.) and world famous club venues (Ronnie Scott’s).

 

Again no stranger to Marigolds, local lad Ted Beament makes another very welcome return, after his March gig and although this time in a supporting role nevertheless demonstrating he is one of the finest pianists in Britain.

Ted played in the Humphrey Lyttelton band for many, many years and over the years has played with a Who's Who of British and many international notable jazz musicians.

 

Son of vocalist Cleo Laine and saxophonist / composer John Dankworth, Alec Dankworth is an award-winning jazz bassist and composer who, in addition to leading several groups of his own, has worked with an amazing list of artists including Van Morrison, Stephanne Grappelli, Abdullah Ibrahim, and The Dave Brubeck Quartet. He is known for his energetic stage presence, versatility of style and some of the most imaginative bass solos around!

 

Drummer, bandleader, record producer, author and educator Pete Cater is a gifted and versatile drummer, at home in any context.

2024 marked the 29th year of the Pete Cater Big Band and Pete had played with just about every top big band on the London circuit and had strong opinions about repertoire and how big band music should be interpreted.

 

Together these four very talented virtuosos form a formidable combo more than capable of providing a very entertaining evening of high quality jazz.

 

 

DOORS AND LICENSED BAR OPEN AT 7.00PM

MUSIC AT 8.00PM

 

Tickets £14 on the door

 

 

 

June 12th (New Date)

Paul Higgs Quintet

https://www.paulhiggs.com/

 

Paul Higgs trumpet, Frank Sebastion sax, Gabriel Keen piano, Alex Keen double bass, Les Cirkel drums 

 

Paul Higgs is a highly accomplished and respected trumpet player with an impressive career in many fields both in the UK and abroad including performing, composing, recording (his discography is as long as your proverbial, and arranging music for film, TV and theatre. He was a Musical Director for many years for the National Theatre and Royal Shakespeare Company and has composed, arranged and directed for many other companies.

 

Wherever he is performing, his music is always captivating, leaving audiences spellbound. Paul Higgs is a true master of his craft as he has so admirably demonstrated at several gigs at Marigolds in past years.

 

 

 

DOORS AND LICENSED BAR OPEN AT 7.00PM

MUSIC AT 8.00PM

 

Tickets £14 on the door

 

  

 

July 24th

Greg Abate Quartet

https://www.gregabate.com

 

Greg Abate sax, John Pearce keyboard, Simon Thorpe bass, Alfonso Vitale on drums

 

Greg Abate jazz saxophonist, flutist and composer typically tours 225 days a year much of that around the globe.

In the mid 70’s after finishing a four year program at Berklee College Of Music, Greg played lead alto for the Ray Charles Orchestra for 2 years.

In 1978 Greg formed his group Channel One which was a favourite in the New England area and from there had the opportunity to play tenor sax with the revived Artie Shaw Orchestra under leadership of Dick Johnson from 1986 to ’87.

Following this experience Greg ventured out as post hard bop soloist playing Jazz Festivals, Jazz Societies and Jazz Clubs throughout the U.S. Canada and abroad, including most of Europe, UK, and Moscow and Georgia Russia.

Greg’s newest release Gratitude, with the Tim Ray Trio has received glowing reviews and a lot of international airplays.  Also, check out Greg's other recordings including special guests Phil Woods and other notable artists.

   

Greg is currently a Whaling City Sound recording artist.

Greg recorded his first CD Live At Birdland NYC in 1991 on the Candid Jazz Label with the trio of James Williams, Rufus Reid and Kenny Washington.

To this date Greg has recorded over 17 other recordings as leader.

Greg is also an adjunct professor of Jazz Studies at Rhode Island College and is also a very active jazz clinician with co. sponsorship from the Conn-Selmer Instrument Co., conducting workshops and master classes through the U.S and abroad.

Greg has been inducted into the RI MUSIC HALL OF FAME 2016

 

 

DOORS AND LICENSED BAR OPEN AT 7.00PM

MUSIC AT 8.00PM

 

Tickets £14 on the door

 

 

 

 

August 21st   

Derek Nash Quartet

 https://dereknash.com/

 

 

Derek is one of the foremost talents on the UK jazz scene performing on all 4 sax’s from Soprano to Baritone and needs no introduction to Marigolds. He is equally at home leading his own award-winning jazz ensemble Sax Appeal to playing as a full member of the Jools Holland Rhythm and Blues Orchestra. He is equally at home playing in front of 65,000 people at the Millennium Stadium and over 100,000 at the Glastonbury Festival to playing to 50 or so aficionados at Marigolds. He has appeared live & on TV and played with far too many top performers to list here.

 

A winner of numerous awards Derek has recorded numerous albums in his own right and featured on far more with other artists.

 

At his Clowns Pocket Recording Studio, Derek is a respected recording engineer and producer and has recorded albums for numerous famous artists. With Trudy Kerr, he is co-director of Jazzizit Records, an UK independent Jazz label.

 

Derek is also the writer and arranger of many TV and radio themes. Although he will vehemently disagree one of his stand-up achievements was playing "When Johnny Comes Marching Home" for a condom advert! Sorry for raising that Derek. 

 

 

 

DOORS AND LICENSED BAR OPEN AT 7.00PM

MUSIC AT 8.00PM

 

Tickets £14 on the door

 

 

 

 

September 18th

Alan Barnes Quartet

https://www.alanbarnesjazz.com/

 

Multi Award winner Alan Barnes needs no introduction having played everywhere in the UK and across the world including Marigolds on several occasions.

 

Alan has toured and recorded with far too many famous names to record here. However, he has toured America and Europe with Bryan Ferry’s band, has been a regular with the BBC Big Band and Radio Orchestra, written and arranged countless numbers, appeared as a session musician on albums, performed on film and television soundtracks and jingles such as the Tetley Bitter series of adverts as well as performing and recording on his own behalf.

 

As well as a prolific international performer, Alan is a composer, arranger, bandleader, touring soloist, educator and in the past broadcaster for the BBC. He is no stranger to the recording studio both in his own right, collaborating with or guesting for other musicians. His dulcet tones can also be found on film and television soundtracks and jingles.

 

Alan is best known for his work on clarinet, alto and baritone sax, where he combines a formidable virtuosity with a musical expression and collaborative spirit that have few peers.

Combining his unique musical skills with humour and wit and building a warm rapport with audiences makes Alan uniquely popular in British jazz.

 

 

 

 

DOORS AND LICENSED BAR OPEN AT 7.00PM

MUSIC AT 8.00PM

 

Tickets £14 on the door

 

 

 

 

October 16th (NewDate)

James and Garry Davison with the Ted Beament Trio

 

James Davison trumpet, Garry Davison trombone, Ted Beament keyboard, Adam King bass and Rod Brown drums.

All back by popular demand after a fantastic gig in 2023

 

Award winner James Davison pursues a busy and varied freelance career based in London.

Since graduating with a MA in Jazz Performance at the Royal Academy of Music James has been lead trumpet in the National Youth Jazz Orchestra and with the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra and the Patchwork Jazz Orchestra. He also performs regularly with the BBC Big Band, The Syd Lawrence Orchestra, Pete Long’s Echoes of Ellington Orchestra and the Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra.

 

James has been a regular lead trumpet deputy in numerous West End. He has performed with the London Symphony Orchestra and as guest Principal with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Hallé Orchestra. James is also a member of the award winning Misha Mullov-Abaddo Group, Jonny Mansfield’s Elftet, the Sam Watts band, The London Jazz Orchestra, Joe Hill’s North Ark, as well as his own band co-led with Callum Au, playing the music of Clark Terry and Bob Brookmeyer.

 

Like his son Garry Davison is a freelance jazz trombonist playing with a vibrant style giving a warm, mellow tone and a great technique.

 

Local lad Ted Beament is no stranger to Marigolds. One of the finest pianists in Britain, Ted has performed world-wide as well as around the UK and on the London jazz scene. He has played with so many outstanding musicians, far too many to list here and was a member of the outstanding Humphrey Lyttleton Band.

 

 

DOORS AND LICENSED BAR OPEN AT 7.00PM

MUSIC AT 8.00PM

 

Tickets £14 on the door

 

 

 

 

 

November 20th

Tomasso Starace Quartet

http://www.tommasostarace.com/

 

Tommaso Starace alto sax, Jason Reeves drums, Nigel Thomas bass, John Turville piano 

 

Another band back by popular demand after several great gigs over recent years.

 

Born in Italy, Tommaso moved to the United Kingdom where, playing the sax, he graduated at Birmingham Conservatoire with a Bmus first class honours and later at the Guildhall School Of Music and Drama with a Postgraduate Degree in jazz studies. He has performed and colaberated with some of the most respected jazz musicians far too many to mention here.

Tommaso is no stranger to the recording studio and when not busy composing tours all over the UK and Europe.

 

In 2008 Tommaso was awarded with an Honorary Membership by Birmingham Conservatoire given to him for his significant contributions made across the years within the various branches of the music profession.

 

 

 

 

 

DOORS AND LICENSED BAR OPEN AT 7.00PM

MUSIC AT 8.00PM

 

Tickets £14 on the door

 

 

 

 

December

No Gig

 

 

 

 

2027

 

January 22nd

 

February 19th

 

March 19th