It’s what they refer to in the news world as ‘the silly season’. There’s nothing much going on in August so this is when the ‘man bites dog’ story comes into its own.

(And just to make it very clear, we would like to assure readers that no dogs, or indeed any other animals, were hurt in the making of this newsletter.)

But it is a bit silly this month: the kids are on school holidays, which is good or bad depending if you’re a kid, a parent, a teacher or the owner of an ice-cream parlour. Lincoln hosts a Steampunk Festival, Nottingham a Robin Hood Festival and the Isle of Wight tops them all with a Garlic Festival (yes, really!)

And closer to home, the Richardsons split up – for one night only – and Seaford Jazz Club goes temporarily dark. Read on, for more august SPJC August stories, and news of a centenary and a half-centenary…

Seaford SPJC is taking a holiday, just for August. Buckets and spades, swimmies and sunhats packed.

But fear not, we’re shaking the sand out of our shoes to get back to The View on Wednesday September 4^th, when the fabulous Raul D’Oliviera is Neal’s special guest.

At Bannatynes Hotel & Spa, Hastings (Battle Rd, St Leonards-on-sea TN38 8EA) you will be able to hear Rod Hart playing solo piano for Jazz & Gin night in Maxine’s Bar & Restaurant. (Neal is out of the country. It’s only temporary though, he’ll be back before they raise the drawbridge…) This venue is a bit special, the hotel is set in lovely grounds and it’s all rather stylish and swish. Get there for 7pm, spend a bit of time perusing the selection of gins on offer – order some food if you like, it’s all excellent. Plenty of on-site parking at Bannatynes AND it’s a free gig!

Sunday lunch was a bit of a thing with our parents wasn’t it? (anyone out there remember Two-Way Family Favourites? Educating Archie? No?? oh…you’re obviously all much too young. Or pretending to be…) But we seem to have got out of the habit these days. Revive that habit, get along to Deans Place Hotel, Alfriston and meet Rod Hart for Sunday lunch in the dining room! He’ll be playing the piano, you’ll be enjoying the roasties, there may even be apple pie and custard available for afters… Lunch is served at 12.30pm, book a table on 01323 870248, and then just relax and enjoy lovely food and music. The perfect combination.

The newest SPJC venue is  The Walrus, (10 Ship Street, BN1 1AD  01273-025749). It’s a pub, but it’s stylish and lovely, and we’re to be found in the downstairs bar. This month features Neal’s Trio with the irrepressible  Mark Bassey (trombone). Regarded as a highly versatile musician, Mark covers many styles from swing to bop as well as the more contemporary fields. Musical associations have included Julian Arguelles, Alan Barnes, Liane Carroll, Charlotte Glasson, Nikki Iles, the BBC Big Band, Terry Seabrook, Stan Sulzmann, Clark Tracey, Mike Westbrook and Kenny Wheeler.

Playing alongside Mark and Neal are David Beebee (bass) and Javier Ferero (drums).

Now here’s a handy tip for those of you who will be driving into Brighton and don’t relish the thought of trying to find a parking space in the town centre, and then paying loads for it: you can park at the Marina for nothing – and then get the number 7 bus into town! It’s a wizard wheeze and it works! The bus runs all night so you won’t get stranded. This tip comes to you FREE from one of our regulars – thank you Nick!

OR you can park in the Lanes car park for just £4.50 evening rate from 6pm.

The music starts at 7.30pm on Wednesday August 21^st, tickets are £10, and you can buy in advance from thewalrusbrighton.com/#bookatable or on the door on the night.

There’s a great evening of lovely music on the cards at The Fishermen’s Club, Royal Parade, BN22 7AA with Neal Richardson’s new show ‘Not King Cole’. For all of Neal’s career, Nat King Cole has been hovering in the background, an ever-present inspiration. Neal’s father, also a pianist, was a fan of Nat’s and so the young Neal grew up listening to NKC classics. Not to put too fine a point on it, Nat’s music was the main reason why Neal wanted to become a professional pianist in the first place. And on a visit to Los Angeles, he was privileged to have the opportunity to play Nat’s piano at Capitol studios – imagine Neal’s excitement!

So this tribute is a work of love, from one pianist/singer to the memory of another, in his centenary year (that’s Nat’s, not Neal’s…). Expect to hear many of his greatest hits – you’ll probably know them all – from the Quartet: Neal, Ciyo Brown(guitar), Miles Danso (bass) and Alex Eberhard (drums).

Doors open at 7.15pm on Wednesday August 28^th  and the music starts at 8pm, tickets are £10, on the door on the night or in advance from WeGotTickets.com. (booking fee applies).

Free parking on site and drinks at club prices.

*STOP PRESS* This show has been booked for the London Jazz Festival (Sunday 17th November 2019).

Book your tickets here: Brasserie Zedel  but do come and see it in Eastbourne first!

Meanwhile, with Neal performing in Eastbourne, over at The Bull Hotel at Battle (27 High Street, TN33 0EA) we’ve got Sue Richardson and Andy Drudy playing in the dining room. It’s free to diners (though you’ll need to book in advance on 01424 775171 to be sure of your table). The website shows their special menu for the night, (thebullinnbattle.co.uk), and frankly whatever they have on there it’s going to be good. The music starts at 7.30pm on Wednesday August 28^th and we can promise you a great evening.

AND FINALLY, for those of you who like to plan ahead, here’s news of a great exhibition taking place in September. Our very good friend Brian O’Connor celebrates 50 years of Jazz Photography this year, and to mark this milestone a selection of his images will be on display at The Hawth, Crawley RH10 6YZ, from 3^rd – 19^th September.  From Freddie Hubbard to Laura Jurd, and Ronnie Scott’s to Love Supreme, the changing face of jazz and blues over five decades is captured in both colour and black and white. Free admission, for opening times see: www.hawth.co.uk.

We genuinely look forward to welcoming you to our jazz clubs, and hope to see you again very soon. Keep supporting live jazz in Sussex!

The Splash Point mob.

#splashpointjazz