Hello everyone, thanks for the great start to the year so far! Here’s what is coming up this month – we’re pretty excited about it. As ever, please spread the word by telling your friends and sharing our social media posts, it really helps.

Monday 6th March – Sean Gibbs Quintet
www.wegottickets.com/event/573960/

Sean Gibbs: Trumpet
Riley Stone-Lonergan: Tenor Saxophone
Rob Brockway: Piano
Calum Gourlay: Bass
Tim Giles: Drums

Sean Gibbs is a London based trumpeter/composer, known for his work with the likes of the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra and Calum Gourlay Big Band. Tonight he will be performing material from his quintet album ‘When Can I See You Again?’, released with Ubuntu Music. This has received wide critical acclaim, including a five star review in BBC Music Magazine. It has also been featured heavily on Jazz FM and BBC Radio 6. The album is made up of original music of Sean’s, steeped in the jazz tradition, with a focus on lyrical melodies, hearty grooves and a deep connection to the blues.

London Jazz News – “When I spot trumpeter Sean Gibbs in a band my spirits lift; I know there will be spot on ensemble playing and expertly-turned, beautifully toned solos”

Herald Scotland – “Gibbs’ music has bags of personality and his soloing is full of ideas, now cool and reflective, now fast and assertive, now downright mischievous.”

Monday 13th March – Raible/Gradischnig Quintet plays Elmo Hope
www.wegottickets.com/event/573962/

Steve Fishwick – Trumpet (UK)
Herwig Gradischnig – Tenor Sax (Austria)
Claus Raible – Piano (Germany)
Giorgos Antoniou – Bass (Switzerland)
Matt Home – Drums (UK)

The band co-led by pianist Claus Raible and Austrian tenor saxophonist Herwig Gradischnig has toured extensively throughout the UK and Europe since 2015, paying tribute to the late great American jazz pianist and composer Elmo Hope
Their two CD’s “Searchin’ For Hope” and “The Music Of Elmo Hope Vol.2” have achieved high acclaim in music publications including JazzWise (UK) and Jazz Journal.

About the band members..

Trumpet player Steve Fishwick, born in Manchester is widely considered to be one of the finest trumpet players ever to come from the UK and is rapidly gaining a worldwide reputation thanks to his flawless technique and his beautifully flowing and harmonically rich improvisations. He is one of a growing number of trumpet players who have been heavily influenced by the melodic approach of the late great Kenny Dorham; a figure often overlooked in the pantheon of Jazz trumpet legends. Steve graduated from London’s Royal academy in 1998 with a bachelor of music degree and has since played with a variety of leading musicians from the UK, Europe and further afield, including Sir john Dankworth, Stan Tracey, BBC Big Band, Peter King, Anita O’ Day, Ron Carter, Peter Erskine, George Mraz, Dado Moroni, Tony Lakatos, Tardo Hammer, Scott Hamilton and Ken Peplowski to name a few.

Austrian tenor player Herwig Gradischnig is based in Vienna and until 2007 was a member of the prestigious Vienna Art Orchestra. He has also appeared alongside Randy Brecker, John Swana, Benny Bailey, Conte Candoli, DuskoGoykovich, Ingrid Jensen, Vincent Herring, Wolfgang Muthspiel, Jimmy Cobb, Billy Cobham and Jorge Rossi. He has played in the big bands of Quincy Jones, Al Porcino, NDR Big Band, the Don Ellis Tribute Orchestra, Concert Jazz Orchestra of Vienna and Thomas Gansch.

German-born pianist Claus Raible got fascinated by Jazz as early as in his primary school days through listening to various radio programs. By about age sixteen, while still at high school, Claus had his first professional performing appearances, both as a sideman as well as a leader. Still in his early twenties, while carrying on his musical studies at academic level, Claus had the chance to perform with such stellar musicians as Art Farmer, Andy Bey, Mark Murphy, to just name a few. In 1992, Claus moved to New York City where he formed the Claus Raible Sextet which featured Brad Leali, Mike Karn, Shawn McGloin. As a sideman he started appearing with musicians such as Ben Dixon, Manny Duran, Jimmy Lovelace, Jon Faddis, and later took master classes from pianist Dr. Barry Harris who has been a great influence on his writing and arranging.

Bass Player Giorgos Antoniou hails from Athens and now resides in Basel, Switzerland since 1994. Since then he has undertaken freelance work with some notable names of the Swiss jazz scene and a ten years association with the German pianist/composer and band-leader Joe Haider, with whom he performed and recorded extensively.

Drummer Matt Home born in Huddersfield in 1973. Starting drumming at the age of 7, Matt was a 1994 graduate of Leeds College of Music and did his first professional performances aged 17. He has played, toured and recorded with many leading UK and European musicians including Peter King, Dusko Gykovich , Alan Barnes, Stacey Kent, Cleo Laine, Brandon Allen, Anita Wardell, Claire Martin, Nigel Price and Alex Garnett. He has also performed with US musicians such as Barry Harris, Cyrus Chestnut, Eric Alexander, Grant Stewart, Scott Hamilton, Gary Smulyan, Herb Geller, Lanny Morgan, Danny Moss, Jim Snidero and Spike Robinson.

Monday 20th March – Heidi Vogel
www.wegottickets.com/event/573964/

Heidi Vogel – Voice
Ivo Neame – Piano
Larry Bartley – Bass
Jason Brown – Drums

Vocalist with The Cinematic Orchestra since 2006, Heidi appears on their albums “To Believe”, “Live at the Royal Albert Hall”, “Late Night Tales” and has opened for Erykah Badu in Dubai, performed at Montreux Jazz festival for Quincy Jones and appeared live on The Jimmy Kimmel Show on ABC, as well as performing at The Sydney Opera House and with The Krakow Symphony Orchestra, The Heritage Orchestra and The London Metropolitan Orchestra.

Heidi performed with The Cinematic Orchestra concluding a 2019 USA tour at the prestigous Los Angeles Walt Disney Hall where she performed with Patrick Watson, Moses Sumney, and Miguel Atwood Ferguson.

Heidi has also performed at festivals such as:
Cape Town Jazz Festival, Sonar Japan, Fuji Rock, Coachella, Glastonbury, North Sea Jazz Festival, Montreal Jazz Festival, Blue Note Jazz Festival, New York Film Festival, Central Park Summerstage, BBC 6 Music Festival.
Heidi performed as a soloist for the 2019 BBC Proms at The Royal Albert Hall for a recital of The Sacred Music of Duke Ellington.
Heidi’s performance with pianist Monty Alexander received rave reviews.

She has also performed/recorded with:
Thundercat, Cleveland Watkiss, Banda Black Rio, Simoninha, The Brand New Heavies, ‘Lil Louie Vega, Bobby Mcferrin, Isaac Hayes, Austin Peralta, Ig Culture, Sean Khan for his album with Hermeto Pascoal, F-ire Big Band, Alex Wilson Salsa Orchestra, Chick Corea, Shlomo, Eska, Soweto Kinch, Tawiah, Roots Manuva, Ty and Terry Walker to name just a few.

Heidi’s debut album “Turn up the Quiet”, received impressive reviews from Jazz Wise Magazine, Jazz Times Magazine, as well as support from Jamie Cullum, Benji B, Osunlade and many others.

The album presents Heidi performing Brazilian Bossa nova and jazz classics. A contrast to her work in EDM house classics, as well as broken beat, hip hop and drum and bass.
“…Surely one of the great jazz voices of modern times…” – Vamos London
“…She’s got an extraordinary voice….an incredible range to her voice and such a texture to it as well. You’ll really enjoy the album, keep an eye out for Heidi Vogel” – Jamie Cullum (BBC Radio 2)
“…From her towering opening performance, Heidi Vogel says everything in the right key…. Vogel’s voice is an extraordinarily rich and complex instrument, one that you can easily fall in love with…” – Jazzwise Magazine

Monday 27th March – Alex Western-King
www.wegottickets.com/event/573966/

Alex Western-King – Tenor Saxophone
Alex Garnett – Tenor Saxophone
Sam Leak – Organ
Jay Davis – Drums

“Young monarch of swing” – JazzWise Magazine
“Deeply rooted in the jazz tradition, but saying its own thing… a pleasure to listen to. A night of seriously good music” – London Jazz News

Alex Western-King is an award-winning musician who is generally considered to be one of the most talented saxophonists of his generation. With an impressive CV and a band comprised of some of the most in demand jazz musicians in Europe, Alex is rapidly positioning himself at the forefront of the jazz scene.

This band augments swingin’ jazz standards, injecting them with fresh creativity and infectious energy. Locking horns with Western-King in this two-tenor quartet is Alex Garnett, one of the leading saxophonists in the UK and Mainland Europe for over 2 decades. “A first call sideman to the stars” (JazzWise Magazine), Garnett is instantly recognized by his dark, husky sound.

Described as “masterly and hypnotic” (All About Jazz), Sam Leak provides the perfect harmonic support to compliment this fiery front line. A “precise, attentive and an exciting soloist” (Sussex Jazz Magazine), Jay Davis provides driving energy on drums.
With tunes from legendary artists Miles Davis, Bob Brookmeyer, Al Cohn, Joe Lovano, Chick Corea and Booker Little among the bands own original compositions, this is not one to be missed.

Dear audience, happy New Year and welcome back. As usual we have taken a break for January, and are ready to return to our temporary home (the Assembly House, just 100m away from our regular venue in Kentish Town) with some truly great gigs for February.

As always, the night is run voluntarily and relies entirely on ticket sales to pay the artists — please tell your friends and continue your kind support of the night. It is really special to be able to see this calibre of jazz in a small, listening room for a great price.

All being well we will be back at our regular venue in April. Keep an eye out for news. Without further ado, see the listings and ticket links below. At time of writing some lineups are still to be finalised, including our astonishing first gig (13th February) when the world class vibraphonist and composer Jim Hart is in town and has kindly agreed to open our 2023 programme.

13th Feb — Jim Hart SOLD OUT!!!! No tickets available on the door.

https://www.wegottickets.com/event/571333

The world-class vibraphonist and composer Jim Hart is in London briefly and we’ve managed to grab him for a very special gig. Jim will be bringing an all-star band of London-based colleagues and we can’t wait. Don’t miss the chance to hear the vibraphone played in an intimate listening room by one of the true masters!

Jim Hart is one of the most in-demand musicians on the European jazz and alternative music scene, as a soloist and sideman on drums and vibraphone. His background in both jazz and classical music – combined with his interest in the traditional music of Latin America and West Africa and its part in contemporary improvised music – has helped to define his creative personality, melding a distinctive and strong sense of harmony, melody and rhythm.

As a bandleader, he has recorded six albums of his own music which have enjoyed radio airplay and have been critically acclaimed worldwide. Hart leads Cloudmakers Trio and Cloudmakers Five and his eminence across Europe includes a pivotal role in the Marius Neset Quintet (vibes, marimba and percussion), Daniel Erdmann’s Revolution (vibes) and Vula Viel’s exploration of the rhythmic systems of Ghanaian traditional music (drums).

Downbeat magazine has listed him in both readers’ and critics’ polls – in the ‘vibraphone’ and ‘rising star’ categories – over the last five years; and Cloudmakers Trio’s studio album ‘Abstract Forces’ made their 2014 ‘album of the year’ list. He has been the recipient of multiple British jazz awards, the Worshipful Company of Musicians bronze medal and was nominated for ‘musician of the year’ in the Parliamentary Jazz Awards.

“One of the UK’s most creative new jazz artists.”
– The Guardian

“Outstanding”
– Financial Times

“One of the brightest stars on the UK and European Jazz scene.”
– John Surman

“Hart has developed an impressively individual voice.”
– Jazzwise Magazine

20th Feb — Artie Zaitz

https://www.wegottickets.com/event/571335

Extraordinary guitarist Artie Zaitz brings a swinging band to our temporary home at the Assembly House (just 100m from our normal venue in Kentish Town).

Line-up TBC

27th Feb — Vittorio Mura

https://www.wegottickets.com/event/571337

The stunning New York based saxophonist Vittorio Mura is in town with two of London’s finest, Will Sach (bass) and Will Cleasby (drums).

A graduate of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and the City College of New York, Vittorio Mura has studied with some of the world’s finest musicians, including Jason Rigby, Steve Wilson, Nasheet Waits, Jean Toussaint and Mike Williams.

Currently based in New York City, Mura is known for his lyrical playing with an emphasis on interplay, improvisation and risk-taking; whilst being deeply inspired by the lineage of the tenor saxophone.

He has performed at various venues in NYC, including Minton’s Playhouse, and extensively throughout the UK and Europe, including the Vortex Jazz club, Ronnie Scott’s, Birmingham Symphony Hall, Cheltenham, Manchester, Glasgow and Trondheim jazz festivals.

As a sideman, he has featured on records by the David Ferris Septet (Alphabets, 2018), Tom Syson Group (Green, 2017), and the Birmingham Jazz Orchestra (Rough Boundaries, 2016).
His latest recorded output is with the collaborative international quartet Quiet People, who released their eponymous debut album in June 2020.

Currently Vittorio is working on a follow-up Quiet People album, as well as a debut with his newly formed quartet.

“…without [a] doubt one of the finest musicians to be riding the crest of the new wave of improvisers coming out of Birmingham. Definitely one to watch….” – Percy Pursglove

DECEMBER 2022

Hello everyone. A few thank yous to round out the year — to the amazing bands who played in our recent London Jazz Festival gigs, and throughout the rest of this year. And to all of you, the audience, for continuing to support the best independent jazz night in the UK by buying tickets, telling friends, and sharing posts. AND, to the Assembly House, Kentish Town, for providing a perfect and perfectly-located temporary venue while our regular one is refurbished. Jazz at the Oxford is run entirely voluntarily, with ticket money going directly to the artists — please keep up your great support.

We usually do not run gigs in January. Plans for the restart will be finalised as we await more details on the date of completion for the refurbishments, at which point we expect to be back at the Oxford Tavern. As usual, keep an eye out on our social media and website.

Here are December’s bands. Come along, tell your friends and help us see out 2022 with a bang.

5 Dec — Tara Minton Quartet

https://www.wegottickets.com/event/564593

Tara Minton – harp/vocals
Ed Babar – double bass
David Ingamells – drums
Emma Rawicz – sax

Tara Minton is an Australian born harpist, vocalist and composer. She is proudly endorsed by Camac Harps and holds a master’s degree in jazz performance from The Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Sought after as both a harpist and vocalist, Tara has worked with Björk, Tom Walker, ESKA, Stan Sulzmann, Geoff Gascoyne and the Australian World Orchestra. She leads her own original project as a harpist/vocalist and sings with “The Blues and Roots Ensemble” – a London based nine-piece band and charity celebrating the music of Charles Mingus.  
  
In 2020 Tara released her critically acclaimed album ‘Please Do Not Ignore The Mermaid’ exploring themes of climate change and mer-myth. She consolidated the album’s success with an intimate duo album released in January 2022 – ‘Two For The Road’ with bassist Ed Babar. The album was produced by Geoff Gascoyne and features Stan Sulzmann on tenor saxophone. This Summer Tara made her Ronnie Scott’s headline debut, and her BBC Proms debut at the Royal Albert Hall with the Australian World Orchestra. 
  
Tara is a passionate music educator and advocate for the harp in jazz and improvised music. When not playing or teaching, Tara co-hosts ‘The Jazz Podcast’ with saxophonist Rob Cope, which was recently nominated for a Parliamentary Jazz Award.    
  
“An otherworldly collection that brings the harp centre stage” – The Sunday Times   
 
“Irresistibly seductive” – Jazzwise 
 
https://taraminton.com

12 Dec — Harrison Dolphin’s Music Band 

https://www.wegottickets.com/event/564722

The outstanding young guitarist Harrison Dolphin leads a star-studded sextet.

Zhenya Strigalev – alto sax
Miguel Gorodi – trumpet
James Wade-Sired – trombone
Harrison Dolphin – guitar
Lorenzo Morabito – bass
Adam Merrell – drums

19 Dec — Casares/Barry/Chaplin/Pitarch

https://www.wegottickets.com/event/564724

Two of London’s finest, Will Barry (piano) and Conor Chaplin (bass), present an international lineup for a very special final gig of 2022! They are joined by the saxophonist Lluc Casares and drummer Andreu Pitarch. Don’t miss it!

Hello everyone! It’s been a fairly dramatic couple of weeks at Oxford HQ with the sudden closure of the venue and the scramble to sort something new out. We’re really happy to report that the Assembly House 200m up the road has stepped up, and we’ll be kicking off there this coming Monday (31st) with Jack Garside leading an outrageous quartet. Tickets here: https://www.wegottickets.com/event/558771

Here’s what’s coming up in November – it features a three-gig extravaganza week for the EFG London Jazz Festival. Please note there is no gig on Monday the 21st, as with the stress of the new venue hunt and the inevitability of that week suffering from a post-festival hangover, we are having a week off! We’re back for the last week of the month and will continue into December.

The change of venue coming right before the biggest month of music we’ve ever put on obviously does make us feel a little more precarious than we might like, so we would really appreciate seeing your faces and your bums on seats at these gigs. The new room is a tiny bit smaller, so we would encourage booking in advance to guarantee seeing the gigs. The LJF gigs are already selling quite fast and we don’t want any of our regular supporters to miss out! Spread the word, share far and wide on Instagram and Facebook, and encourage anyone who might be interested to sign up to the newsletter.

Thanks as ever for being such great supporters of proper grass-roots music.

Monday 7th – David Ferris Septet

https://www.wegottickets.com/event/561349

David Ferris – Piano, composition
Hugh Pascall – Trumpet
Richard Foote – Trombone
Chris Young – Alto Saxophone
Nadim Teimoori – Tenor Saxophone
Nick Jurd – Bass
Euan Palmer – Drums

This band was originally formed in October 2016 by pianist, composer and Jazz at the Oxford denizen David Ferris, featuring some of the Midlands’ best musicians. The music written for this band draws from his experience of playing in large fully-orchestrated groups, and smaller more improvised settings, and focuses on melody and warmth, with influences ranging from John Scofield to Fred Hersch to The Beatles.

Their debut album “Alphabets” was released in February 2018, featuring the Estonian singer Maria Väli, and for this gig they’ll be debuting some new music.

Monday 14th – Sam Jesson’s Magpie Trio
(EFG London Jazz Festival)

http://www.wegottickets.com/event/551291

George Crowley – Tenor Sax
Tom Farmer – Double Bass
Sam Jesson – Drum Kit

All star acoustic saxophone trio reworking the glorious compositions of Wayne Shorter’s from his electric era, from groove heavy Weather Report bangers to the soaring melodies from seminal albums Atlantis and Joy Rider.

United by their love for the tradition of legendary jazz trios from Ahmad Jamal to Sonny Rollins, Oscar Peterson to Dewey Redman, the trio wind their way through many gems of the jazz canon – some lesser known than others – sometimes deconstructing and breathing new life, sometimes paying homage to classic arrangements, with a devoted focus on making music that feels honest and joyous.

This gig is part of a national tour in which the trio take on the electric work of Wayne Shorter, in music written for Weather Report and seminal solo albums Atlantis and Joy Rider.

Wednesday 16th – Alexandra Ridout/Iver Cardas
(EFG London Jazz Festival)

https://www.wegottickets.com/event/551307

Alex Ridout – Trumpet
Iver Cardas – Guitar
Conor Chaplin – Bass
TBC – Drums

Alexandra Ridout, Jazz Trumpeter, UK, is currently studying her Masters Degree at the Manhattan School of Music. She recently went on European Tour with the Grammy nominated, Blue Note signed all star band Artemis.

Alexandra was crowned the winner of the BBC Young Musician Jazz Award 2016 and noted in ‘The shape of jazz to come: who to look out for in 2018’ in Jazzwise magazine.

In 2018 Alexandra won The British Jazz Awards ‘Rising Star’ category. In October 2019 Alexandra was named one of ‘London’s Most Influential People’ under 25 and was a Parliamentary Jazz Awards nominee in 2020.

Alexandra joined British jazz luminary Clark Tracey’s latest Quintet in 2017 who performed regularly promoting their most recent album ‘No Doubt’.

She has performed with ECM artist Kit Downes, and world renowned Jason Brown.

She was chosen for the JEN Sisters in Jazz Collegiate Combo 2021.

Alexandra released her debut EP ‘Remote Duets’ in 2020.

She has featured on various albums.

Alexandra fronts her own Quintet, who have recently recorded their debut album.

In 2022 she performed around Europe with award winning pianist Pablo Held and with Star Bass player Orlando Le Fleming’s band ‘Romantic Funk’.

Alexandra performed at the Jazz Gallery in New York with Dayna Stephen’s Custom Deluxe.

She has been invited to perform at the Festival of New Trumpet Music in NYC 2022.

Friday 18th – Stan Sulzmann Quartet
(EFG London Jazz Festival)

http://www.wegottickets.com/event/551309

Stan Sulzmann – Saxophone
Will Barry – Piano
Steve Watts – Bass
Kai MacRae – Drums

‘But a shining light of the whole attractive enterprise is the presence of Stan Sulzmann, who seems to sound more personal and hauntingly moving than ever.’ John Fordham, Jazz UK

A veteran of the UK jazz scene, Stan Sulzmann has a rich and varied career that has included playing with musicians as diverse as Kenny Wheeler, Larry Grenadier and Gwilym Simcock, as well as a prolific output as bandleader.

Always moving forward, Stan’s Neon Quartet sees him amongst some of the UKs most sought-after young musicians, and their latest album “Subjekt” explores Stan’s ever-developing musical influences. Stan is also a highly respected composer and arranger; his vibrant big band arrangements have excited and inspired people for the last 25 years, and in 2013 Stan was commissioned to write an original piece for the London Jazz Festival.

Highly in demand as a sideman, Stan has worked with a host of musicians, including: John Taylor, Jim Mullen, Nikki Iles, Mike Gibbs, Marc Copland, Allan Botchinksy, European Jazz Ensemble, Kit Downes, Michael Brecker and Gil Evans.

‘It simply doesn’t get any better than this’ John Kelman

Monday 21st

NO GIG

Monday 28th – Sam Norris Quartet

https://www.wegottickets.com/event/561352

Sam Norris- alto sax
Jay Verma- piano
Will Sach- double bass
Harry Ling- drums

‘An extraordinary technique and improvisational flair for one so young’ (Ronan Guilfoyle).

Sam Norris is an award-winning London-based alto saxophonist, flautist and composer with a forward-thinking outlook.

Originally from Cambridge, UK, Sam has been moved from an early age by deeply expressive improvisers with their own musical language. Among the most formative influences on his playing and composing have been John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, Lee Konitz and Eric Dolphy. The study of these musicians’ work, combined with a parallel interest in twentieth-century classical music, has led him to develop a musical vocabulary which is resolutely his own.

The Sam Norris Quartet (SNQ) brings together three of Sam’s favourite musicians on the London jazz scene- pianist Jay Verma, bassist Will Sach and drummer Harry Ling- to perform his original compositions. High-energy and uncompromising, their music takes the listener on a journey through carefully crafted forms, thoughtful solo interludes, and passages of free improvisation.

November listings are about to be published, but here’s an important notice.

Until the end of 2022, gigs will take place upstairs at the Assembly House (Kentish Town, 2 mins from the Oxford) while the Oxford is being refurbished. This applies both to the regular Monday nights, and to the Mon/Wed/Fri (14/16/18 Nov) gigs during London Jazz Festival week. There is no gig the Monday after LJF (21 Nov). The next gig at time of writing is the great Jack Garside (31 Oct), which is the first at our temporary home. Watch the mailing list, website and socials for full listings soon.

This has been sorted out at very short notice, and we are grateful to all involved. Please show some love to our new hosts and support the night by spreading the word, buying tickets and buying drinks.

UPDATE: now until the end of the year our gigs including THREE (Mon/WedFri in London Jazz Festival week) are upstairs at Assembly House Kentish Town, two minutes walk from the Oxford. Other details remain the same. Please support our temporary home and come along.

Hello everyone – October is going to be a great one here at the Oxford. As ever we rely on the continued support of our audience to keep the night running, so please keep coming along, telling your friends, and tagging us in anything you might put on social media (we’re on Instagram and Facebook.)

As a little bonus look ahead to November, our EFG London Jazz Festival programme is up and we’re putting on THREE great gigs: Sam Jesson’s Magpie Trio on Monday the 18th, Alexandra Ridout and Iver Cardas on Wednesday the 20th, and the legendary Stan Sulzmann on Friday the 22nd. Tickets are already going for these, so please do yourself a favour and get hold of some for yourselves here.

Thanks for all your continued support!

3rd october – james allsopp quartet

https://www.wegottickets.com/event/558368/

James Allsopp – Tenor Saxophone/Bass Clarinet
Steve Buckley – Alto Saxophone/Bass Clarinet
Tom Herbert – Bass
Dave Storey – Drums

The James Allsopp Quartet is the new project from the BBC Jazz award winning saxophonist (“perhaps the most gifted British saxophonist of his generation, not to mention the most adaptable.” Underscore music magazine). The band builds on the joyful and haunting melodies that characterise his music and combines them with deep bass riffs and a sense of swing rooted in the jazz tradition but not beholden to it.

The band features Steve Buckley (Loose Tubes) on Alto Saxophone and Bass Clarinet,
Tom Herbert (Polar Bear) on Acoustic and Electric Bass and rising star Dave Storey on
the Drums.

10th october – dominic ingham quartet

https://www.wegottickets.com/event/558725/

Dominic Ingham – Violin
Miles Mindlin – Guitar
Will Sach – Bass
Jay Davis – Drums

London based violinist Dominic Ingham has toured extensively across the UK with his quintet and performed at the likes of Ronnie Scotts, Barbican, Love Supreme and EFG London Jazz Festival.
A composer of captivating original music and a pioneering violinist, Dominic has earned a Parliamentary Jazz Awards 2020 nomination, as well as landing a semi-finalist spot at the Zbigniew Seifert International Jazz Violin Competition.

In 2020, he released his debut album Role Models to critical acclaim. This self-released record features an arresting suite of lucidly crafted and characterful pieces and showcases Dominic’s distinctive and highly personalised style, rooted in his background of folk and classical music.
Dominic will be performing music from his upcoming E.P “Letters” alongside some of the most exciting emerging jazz musicians in the UK – Miles Mindlin (guitar) Will Sach (double bass) and Jay Davis (drums)

“Ingham’s music propels him into the ranks, writing an exciting chapter in contemporary UK jazz history” – All About Jazz
“Arresting suite of his lucidly crafted and characterful pieces” – Jazz Journal
“The ability of Dominic becomes immediately apparent as his violin skilfully soars above a slow-burning groover” – Jazzwise

17th october – Hugh pascall quintet

https://www.wegottickets.com/event/558727/

Hugh Pascall – Trumpet
James Allsopp – Saxophone
Liam Dunachie – Piano
Oli Hayhurst – Bass
Jay Davis – Drums

Influenced by musicians like Freddie Hubbard, Joe Henderson, Wayne Shorter and Tom Harrell, Hugh’s music is a lyrical, vibrant and modern approach to post-bop jazz. It’s straight-ahead jazz with melody, where swinging, modal explorations are complimented by beautiful, atmospheric and expressive ballads rich in harmony and character.

Hugh also brings interpretations of choice tunes in the classic jazz tradition, weaving these into the set alongside music from the new album and other brand new compositions.

An award-winning trumpeter and composer, Hugh studied jazz at the Royal Academy of Music and at the Paris Conservatoire and has since developed a highly respected career as a soloist. Recent projects include playing with such luminaries as The Last Poets, with UK legend Tony Kofi’s Inside Straight and rising star guitarist Aidan Pope’s new Octet. His eclectic career has included performances and recordings with a huge variety of artists, regularly performing at festivals and venues across the country and throughout Europe as a sideman. Forthcoming projects include a recording with guitarist Peter Bernstein as a member of the acclaimed David Ferris Septet. Borderlands is his much anticipated first album as Bandleader.

“An outstanding soloist” – London Jazz News
“Exemplary hard bop” – Jazz Journal
“The most beautiful, elegant and melodic delivery” – London Jazz News
“Fluent, lyrical solos that unfold gradually and gracefully” – The Jazzmann

24th october – blue town trio

https://www.wegottickets.com/event/558769/

Zoe Francis – Vocals
Jim Mullen – Guitar
Ross Stanley – Organ

The ‘Blue Town Trio’ features London-based Zoe Francis, vocals, multi award-winning legendary guitarist Jim Mullen (Morrissey Mullen, Terry Callier, Georgie Fame, Gene Harris) and Ross Stanley on Hammond organ. It’s a cracking set of classic songs in fresh arrangements with a few surprises. Songs including ‘Spring can really hang you up the most’, ‘Too late now’, ‘Who can I turn to’, ‘Skylark’, ‘My one and only love’, ‘In a sentimental mood’, and ‘Cinema Paradiso’ showcase Zoe’s beautiful voice set against the rich layers of sound from Ross’s Hammond and Jim’s melodic blues lines make this trio sound like a mini orchestra.

“Something a bit special is going on when this artist takes the stage…a classy, poised singer.” – London Jazz News

31st october – jack garside

https://www.wegottickets.com/event/558771/

Jack Garside – Bass
Chris Maddock – Saxophone
Matt Carter – Piano
Will Cleasby – Drums

Jack Garside has established himself as one of London’s most in-demand double bass players since moving to London from his hometown of Leeds three years ago. He has played with many of the most talented players on today’s scene but is probably most well known for his work alongside Mark Kavuma and The Banger Factory. Although mainly performing as a sideman, Jack is also a keen band leader and composes music with an aim of melding both the traditional and contemporary aspects of jazz music.

In this performance, the band will perform a selection of Jack’s original material, as well as some of his favourite tunes at the moment written by other composers.

Hello everyone – here’s what we’ve got lined up for you on Mondays in September. We’re so excited about these gigs, so please keep showing your support and tell all your friends. Jazz at The Oxford relies entirely on ticket sales for finance, and is run on a volunteer basis by people passionate about one of the longest running, highest quality independent venues in London. 

If any friends would like to join this newsletter, head to http://eepurl.com/dPXcWP. It also helps us when you tag us in videos or posts to social media, so please continue to do that: instagram @jazzattheoxford and facebook.com/jazzattheoxfordtavern/.

Finally, a heads up for November: we are running three gigs in one week as part of the London Jazz Festival in November, on Monday 14th, Wednesday 16th, Friday 18th. We have some incredible bands lined up so keep your eyes peeled. 

5th September – Paul Edis Trio

https://www.wegottickets.com/event/555389/

Paul Edis – Piano
Adam King – Double Bass
Joel Barford – Drums

‘Brilliant young pianist’ and composer Paul Edis brings his new piano trio to Jazz at The Oxford to perform original music and new arrangements of standards, including compositions from his most recent album, ‘The Still Point of the Turning World’.

Rooted in the straight-ahead swinging tradition, but always seeking out and exploring new sounds, nobody sounds quite like him or transports you to the places he travels to with his music. Simultaneously soothing and stirring, rapturous yet relaxed, Edis is a natural melodist who finds the emotional resonance of every note. With an unmistakable style that sounds like the missing link between Bill Evans, Brad Mehldau and Claude Debussy, he plays without a trace of bombast or affectation.

12th September – Josh Morrison Quartet

https://www.wegottickets.com/event/555393/

Josh Morrison – drums
Steve Fishwick – trumpet
Sean Fyfe – piano
Mátyás Hofecker – bass

“Scalding swing” – thejazzmann.com

Joshua Morrison is an in-demand drummer from London. He has appeared with many of the UK’s top jazz artists, as well as international stars such as Grant Stewart and Eric Alexander. From 2012-2021 he worked with top US vocalist Stacey Kent, with whom he recorded two albums and toured internationally.

Tonight he brings a fantastic quartet, featuring some of London’s finest musicians.

19th September – Donovan Haffner Quintet

https://www.wegottickets.com/event/555395/

Donovan Haffner – Alto Sax
Francisco Garcia de Paredes – Guitar
Jay Verma – Piano
Harry Pearce – Bass
Zoe Pascal – Drums

Donovan Haffner is an alto saxophonist with over a decade’s experience. He is presently studying at the Royal Academy of Music, specialising in Jazz. Donovan has played with a multitude of professional musicians including big contemporary names such as Moses Boyd and Jay Phelps and was mentored by Gary Crosby, Alex Davis and Binker Golding of Tomorrow’s Warriors. The group plays originals written by Donovan, influenced by Joe Henderson, Immanuel Wilkins and Walter Smith, as well as Kenny Dorham and Mark Turner and more.

26th September – Karim Saber Quintet

https://www.wegottickets.com/event/555397/

Karim Saber – Guitar
Alex Wilson – Piano
Matt Cook – Tenor Saxophone
John Williamson – Bass
Jack Thomas – Drums

Led by guitarist and composer Karim Saber, who is steadily building a profile as a performer on the domestic and European scenes, this dynamic ensemble combines fiery extended improvisation with memorable original compositions. Featuring some of the most exciting young musicians in the UK (all of whom met whilst studying at the Royal Academy of Music), this group’s first performance at the Oxford Tavern takes place ahead of their debut album recording (scheduled for Winter 2022).

“Amidst the many London guitarists, Karim is one whose playing I am most excited about. He’s got ferocious chops, a great repertoire and I really enjoy his writing” – Ant Law

“This band can PLAY and is one to look out for on the London scene going forward” – London Jazz Guitar Society

Hello everyone!
More great gigs on the way this month. Please spread the word, and support us by sharing and tagging on social media. See you on Mondays!

1st August – Rachael Cohen

https://www.wegottickets.com/event/551134/

Rachael Cohen – Alto Saxophone
Noah Stoneman – Piano
Joe Downard – Bass
Jason Brown – Drums

We’re so pleased we could get Rachael back so soon after the heatwave forced the postponement of her gig in July!

Rachael, a London-based alto saxophonist and composer, is one of the brightest emerging stars of her generation.  Her skills as a composer and improviser have gained her a great deal of attention in the UK and beyond. This year she deservedly placed in Downbeat’s ‘Rising Star’ alto saxophone category.

2012 saw Rachael record her critically-acclaimed debut album ‘Halftime’ on Michael Janisch’s Whirlwind Recordings, which catapulted Cohen’s reputation to one of the premier new voices of her generation in the UK’s jazz and improvised music scene. Featuring top UK guitarist Phil Robson, ‘Halftime’ was highly praised nationwide and overseas upon its release in 2013 with four star reviews from major publications and earning her a spot in MOJO magazines top ten Jazz albums of 2014. 

Rachael has since toured and continues to work extensively across the UK with her own projects and has come to be a mainstay at London clubs such as Ronnie Scott’s and the Vortex as well as having her residencies at other clubs throughout London. 

“Cohen takes a softly devious approach reminiscent of Lee Konitz – but, as with the canny Cool School veteran, the quietness is deceptive and the subtlety is in the weighting of phrases and the hipness with which she plays off the rhythm section.” – The Guardian

8th August – Nel Begley

https://www.wegottickets.com/event/552920/

Nel Begley – Voice
Paul Edis – Piano
Luke Fowler – Bass
Ollie Peszynski – Drums

Nel Begley is a vocalist and composer, recently moved to South London. She exploded onto the Leeds Jazz scene after graduating from Leeds Conservatoire.

She has performed at major festivals and shows around the UK and Europe including Latitude, Bestival, Pizza Express Soho and Jamboree Barcelona.

Nel is currently completing her masters studies at Guildhall and performs for her original project Rafe’s Dilemma.

In August she plans to bring some of the finest Jazz musicians London has to offer to serenade you with a range of songs that are close to her heart, including works by Joni Mitchell, Thelonious Monk and others. 

15th August – Alec Harper Quartet

https://www.wegottickets.com/event/552922/

Alec Harper – Tenor Saxophone
Nick Costley White – Guitar
Tom Farmer – Bass
Will Cleasby – Drums 

Alec Harper has established himself as one of the leading tenor saxophonists in the U.K. When he’s not busy performing with popular outfit “Kansas Smitty’s”, you can find Alec fronting his own band and as a sideman for admired local bands. Alec has recently toured with Tom Misch as well as a stint recording and performing with the esteemed WDR big band. He has performed at venues all over the world including North Sea Jazz Festival, Ronnie Scott’s, Dizzy’s Coca Cola (NYC). Be sure to head down to Alec’s Wednesday night residency at Soho’s “Louche” bar where you can catch his Quartet.

“A leading contender among the heavies”
Lance Liddle

22nd August – Calum Gourlay Quartet

https://www.wegottickets.com/event/552924

Helena Kay – Tenor
Kieran McLeod – Trombone
James Maddren – Drums
Calum Gourlay – Bass

Calum Gourlay’s award nominated quartet playing in its original lineup for the first time in nearly three years. Featuring music from their ‘New Ears’ album and new compositions.

Calum Gourlay was born in Glasgow and grew up playing in Fife Youth Jazz Orchestra, The National Youth Jazz Orchestra of Scotland and Tommy Smith’s Youth Jazz Orchestra, before going on to study at the Royal Academy of Music in London. He has since established two residencies at the Vortex Jazz Club, London – Thelonious from 2015 to 2017 presenting the entire catalogue of Thelonious Monk with Martin Speake and Hans Koller; and a monthly big band residency playing his own music starting in February 2017. As a sideman, he has performed with many leading jazz musicians from across the UK, and the world. Gourlay has held the acoustic bass chair with the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra, under the direction of Tommy Smith, since 2006. He has also featured prominently with Tommy Smith’s own quartet. Since 2018 Calum has been a professor of Jazz Bass at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music & Dance. He has also taught one to one at the Royal Academy of Music and presented his own big band music with The Guildhall Big Band. His debut album ‘Live at The Ridgeway’ (2015) received rave reviews from the UK jazz press, not least because of its confident format – a solo, live recording in front of an intimate audience. In 2019 Calum released his first quartet album ‘New Ears’ on Ubuntu records. In 2020 the album was nominated for both a Scottish Jazz Award and an Ivor Novello Composer Award.

29th August – Noah Stoneman Trio

https://www.wegottickets.com/event/552926/

Noah Stoneman – Piano
Will Sach – Bass
Jason Brown – Drums

Noah Stoneman is a 21 year old pianist and composer from north London. He is currently studying at the Royal Academy of music and is adept at a wide range of musical idioms. What binds these different languages together is improvisation; the art which Noah aims to master throughout his career. He regularly performs as a sideman for some of the finest musicians across the UK from all generations. With his own trio you can expect poetic and dynamic compositions and a sense of fluidity across the whole ensemble.

Poster, newsletter and tickets below!

Hello everyone! Thanks so much for your continued support. As always, please tell your friends and share your experiences by tagging us on Instagram and Facebook, etc.

Here’s our line-up for July with links to tickets. We continue to be blessed with incredible bands and can’t wait to see you at these gigs!

4th July – Miles Mindlin Quartet (featuring Alexandra Ridout)

https://www.wegottickets.com/event/551130/

Alexandra Ridout – Trumpet

Ferg Ireland – Bass

Steve Brown – Drums

Miles Mindlin – Guitar

We are delighted to welcome the wonderful young guitarist Miles Mindlin, and he is joined by long-term collaborator and incredible trumpeter Alexandra Ridout, on a brief visit back from setting the New York scene alight. An all-star rhythm section completes a band that is not to be missed.

Miles Mindlin is a 21 year old jazz guitarist from London. He has been gigging professionally since the age of 14 and has played at some of the most prominent UK and European Jazz clubs and Festivals. After beginning his studies at the Royal Academy in 2019 Mindlin released his debut Album ‘Life Still On’ and is soon to record his second. 

He regularly performs with Artists from the Uk and the Usa such as Alexandra Ridout, Giacomo Smith, Jason Brown, James Maddren, Rachel Cohen, Jamie Cullum and Joe Webb. 
 

11th July – Helena Kay’s KIM Trio + Jonny Mansfield

https://www.wegottickets.com/event/551132/

Helena Kay – tenor saxophone

Calum Gourlay – double bass

David Ingamells – drums

+ Jonny Mansfield – vibraphone

“Kay and their trio confirmed both their understated group virtuosity and command of narrative drive.”

Mike Hobart, Financial Times

Tenor saxophonist Helena Kay (Young Scottish Jazz Musician of the Year 2015, winner of Peter Whittingham Jazz Award 2017) leads a trio comprising some of the most in demand musicians on the London jazz scene, joined for this performance by the similarly lauded Jonny Mansfield.

Helena Kay is a tenor saxophonist and composer based in London. Originally from Perth, Scotland, they moved to London in 2012 to study at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, graduating in 2016 with a First Class in BMus Jazz (Hons). During their time studying, they were awarded the Young Scottish Jazz Musician of the Year Award (2015). In 2021, they were selected to become a City Music Foundation Artist. 

Kay released their debut album Moon Palace in 2017 after winning the Peter Whittingham Jazz Award the same year. They recorded the album with their band Helena Kay’s KIM trio, released on Ubuntu Music in December 2018. The album features David Ingamells on drums and Ferg Ireland on double bass.

Kay draws influence from different places which are important to them: Scotland, London, and New York, each of which have been their home during their career. While in New York, they had lessons with some of the greats of the contemporary jazz scene – Dayna Stephens, Melissa Aldana, Chris Cheek and Rodney Green.

Kay also plays with various groups such as Calum Gourlay Quartet, Issie Barratt’s Interchange Dectet, EuroRadio Jazz Orchestra 2017 and the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra, and has performed at numerous festivals such as London Jazz Festival, Glasgow Jazz Festival, as well as venues including as Ronnie Scott’s, The Royal Albert Hall and The Vortex.

Their latest project, Helena Kay’s KIM Trio + Peter Johnstone, features Kay on tenor saxophone & compositions, Calum Gourlay on double bass, David Ingamells on drums and Peter Johnstone on piano. This group will be recording and releasing Golden Sands later this year. 

18th July – Rachael Cohen

https://www.wegottickets.com/event/551134/

Rachael Cohen – Alto Saxophone
Noah Stoneman – Piano
Joe Downard – Bass
Luca Caruso

Rachael Cohen is renowned by both fellow musicians and audiences for her unique tone and “softly devious” improvising (Guardian). We can’t wait to welcome her to the Oxford again!

Rachael, a London-based alto saxophonist and composer, is one of the brightest emerging stars of her generation.  Her skills as a composer and improviser have gained her a great deal of attention in the UK and beyond. 

2012 saw Rachael record her critically-acclaimed debut album ‘Halftime’ on Michael Janisch’s Whirlwind Recordings, which catapulted Cohen’s reputation to one of the premier new voices of her generation in the UK’s jazz and improvised music scene. Featuring top UK guitarist Phil Robson, ‘Halftime’ was highly praised nationwide and overseas upon its release in 2013 with four star reviews from major publications and earning her a spot in MOJO magazines top ten Jazz albums of 2014. 

Rachael has since toured and continues to work extensively across the UK with her own projects and has come to be a mainstay at London clubs such as Ronnie Scott’s and the Vortex as well as having her residencies at other clubs throughout London. 

“Cohen takes a softly devious approach reminiscent of Lee Konitz – but, as with the canny Cool School veteran, the quietness is deceptive and the subtlety is in the weighting of phrases and the hipness with which she plays off the rhythm section.” – The Guardian
 

25th July – The London Django Collective with special guest Elias Prinz

https://www.wegottickets.com/event/551136/

Harry Diplock – Guitar

Elias Prinz – Guitar

Matt Holborn – Violin

Pete Thomas – Bass

The London Django Collective was born out of the desire to create a local and innovative forum for musicians influenced by the musical legacy of Django Reinhardt. Gypsy jazz has always had a place in the hearts of revivalists and traditionalists but the Collective have a vision of true progression for the style whilst nodding to the great musicians who came before them.  

After a series of EP releases showcasing each members original music in late 2019 the Collective are back, fresh after lockdown, with new music.  Featuring some of the best gypsy jazz musicians in London, their releases have been held to high acclaim, played on BBC radio and listened to all over the world. Come to explore the spirit of Django and see the flair and swing the band brings to the London Jazz Scene!