SPJC Newsletter FEBRUARY 2020There’s one subject we’re definitely not mentioning… So, on with the other news…Love is in the air – it’s that month of hearts and flowers again, with Valentine’s Day giving a trade boost to florists, chocolatiers and greetings cards makers throughout the land. And why not? Who doesn’t like to receive a little something to show they’re loved? This year being a Leap Year, we get an extra day, too – traditionally the one day every four years when ladies get a chance to propose marriage (no figures available for how many get accepted.) And pity the poor babies born on February 29th (‘leaplings’), who only get a real birthday once every four years. The odds of being born a leapling are 1 in 1,461, so that makes them pretty rare and special. And possibly slimmer, since they don’t get a birthday cake every year (officially…) Neal would be delighted to celebrate Valentine’s with YOU, (see below), just bear in mind he likes vegan dark chocolate, pink Prosecco, and his favourite flowers are tulips (Now you KNOW he doesn’t write this stuff).
Aside from that, we can promise that you’ll fall in love with ALL our special guests this month, because they’re a gorgeous, adorable bunch. OK, bang that gong, here are The February #splashpointjazz Listings!
Friday February 7th , Hastings Maxine’s Bar and Restaurant at Bannatynes Hotel & Spa, Hastings (Battle Rd, St Leonards-on-sea TN38 8EA) features Neal playing solo piano for their Gin and Jazz night. Lovely venue for a proper night out, get yourselves all dressed up – and decide in advance who the designated driver is because they’ve got a huge range of gins, including some pretty unusual ones. The music starts at 7pm, and both parking and gig are free.
Friday February 14th , Hastings. Jazz Duo It’s Valentine’s night, and you’re looking for somewhere special to take your beloved for a romantic meal. Where better than Maxine’s Bar/Restaurant at Bannatynes Hotel & Spa? Neal and double bassist Oz Dechaine will get you into a romantic mood this extra special Gin and Jazz night, playing some of those ballads and jazz standards that speak of love… Be there by 7pm, music and parking totally free of charge.
Alfriston
Dates throughout the month at Deans Place Hotel, BN26 5TW Book a table on 01323-870248
Neal Richardson – Dinner Jazz @ Deans Place Hotel, Fridays & Saturdays 6.30pm:
1st, 8th, 15th, 21st, 22nd, 28th, 29th
Sunday lunches12.30:
2nd , 9th , 16th, 23rd
Rod Hart – Dinner Jazz @ Deans Place Hotel, 6.30pm:
7th, 14th – Valentine’s Day
AROUND THE CLUBS:
Wednesday February 12th, Seaford It’s a welcome return visit to The View, Southdown Road, BN25 4JS for one of our favourites, the great trumpet/flugelhorn player Graeme Flowers, with Neal‘s Trio: Nigel Thomas (bass) and Phil Crabbe (drums) An ‘A’ list performer, Graeme has been on a world tour with Kylie Minogue, plays regularly with Kyle Eastwood (bass-playing son of Clint, in case you didn’t know…), has played all the major UK jazz clubs, and can often be seen on our TV screens as part of Dave Arch’s fabulous ‘Strictly’ band. So you can imagine it’s a thrill for us when he plays SPJC, and no wonder we love him to bits. If want to eat at The View before the gig (and plenty of people do…) give them a buzz beforehand (01323 890139) so they know how many knives and forks to set out. The music starts at 7pm, on Wednesday February 12th, tickets are £10, on the door on the night or in advance from WeGotTickets.com. (booking fee applies).
Thursday February 20th, at Brighton Not one, but TWO special guests for February at The Walrus, (10 Ship Street, BN1 1AD), and appropriately enough for the month of love – a married couple! Jo Fooks (tenor sax), and Buster Birch (drums) make a great partnership, in every sense of the word, including musically. Jo won ‘The Young Scottish Jazz Musician of the Year’, and then went on to study saxophone at the Guildhall School of Music in London and the Berklee School of music in Boston USA. Her mellow tone is often compared to Stan Getz and Zoot Simms. Buster studied drums and percussion at the University of London and later at the Guildhall School of Music. He moved to New York where he gigged and continued his studies at the drummers collective in Manhattan, and privately with Jo Morello (from Dave Brubeck’s famous quartet). These are impressive qualifications, folks! And with Neal (keys) and Marianne Windham (bass) on the gig we think we’ve got a winner on our hands. Jazz at The Walrus is in the room downstairs, which has a really nice jazz-club vibe and a selection of excellent food available. The music starts at 7.30pm on Thursday February 20th, tickets are £10 (which includes your first drink), and you can buy in advance from thewalrusbrighton.com/#bookatable or on the door on the night.
Wednesday February 26th , Eastbourne It’s another double-bill at The Fishermen’s Club (Royal Parade, BN22 7AA) in February when the lovely Jacqui Hicks (vocals) teams up with long-time collaborator and ace sax player, the ever-lovely Art Themen (‘Be still my beating heart…’ quoth Annette…) Jacqui has toured the world with leading jazz funk band Shakatak, singing and also playing sax and flute for them. Art has played with just about anyone you care to name, and for forty years, until his retirement, he combined a career as a consultant orthopaedic surgeon with his ‘night job’, as a leading jazz musician. Jacqui and Art played in a trio format for many years with the late, great pianist John Critchinson, and are always happy to be performing on stage together again. We’re lucky to be hearing them in Eastbourne with Terry Seabrook (keys), Paul Whitten (bass) and Alex Eberhard (drums). Doors open at 7.15pm on Wednesday February 26thand the music starts at 8pm, tickets are £10, on the door on the night or in advance from WeGotTickets.com. (booking fee applies). Loads of free parking on site and drinks at club prices.
Wednesday February 26th, Battle Another winning February combination is at The Bull Inn (27 High Street, TN33 0EA), when you can hear Neal playing there on the 26th with excellent guitarist Luke Rattenbury. Luke studied jazz at Chichester and Leeds and is a mainstay of the Brighton jazz scene, playing regularly in various Afro-Cuban acts as well as guest appearances in mainstream bands across UK jazz clubs and festivals. The music starts at 7.30pm on Wednesday February 26thand it’s free to diners, but you should phone 01424 775171 beforehand to book a table – which you won’t regret because not only is the food at The Bull very good, it’s one night when you won’t have to cook for yourself or wash up afterwards. Result!
AND FINALLY, whether you’re with others or not this Valentine’s Day, have a super day and month with some great music, and let’s concentrate on love and kindness 🙂
Please keep supporting live jazz in Sussex in 2020!
The Splash Point mob. @splashpointjazz
Copyright 2020 Splash Point Music, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you signed up to our newsletter (ASK Jazz, Splash Point Music and Splash Point Jazz Club). We really don’t want to spam you so please do unsubscribe and accept our apologies for interrupting you.Our mailing address is:
A bright, shiny new year all ready for us to fill up with good things! Hope you’ve all got your diaries at the ready, with pens poised and hovering over January.
2020 has got quite a lot to live up to because her older sister 1920 certainly wasn’t shy of creating ‘firsts’, among them:
The Council of the League of Nations met for the first time in London,
The roller coaster at Margate’s Dreamland opened,
A new airmail service started from London to Amsterdam,
Bristol quarter sessions signed up the first women jury members,
The first night bus services were introduced in London,
Compulsory hand signals were introduced for all car drivers (though probably not the hand signals we see today…),
Rupert Bear first appeared in a cartoon strip in the Daily Express,
… and there are loads more. Cheeky 1920 made quite a thing of firsts.
We don’t know what innovations 2020 will bring us, but some things in the year ahead are already certain – the summer Olympics will be in Tokyo, the UK hosts the 2020 Climate Talks in November, and Parliament will no doubt find something to “vex-it”…
Just as importantly (some would say more so), Splash Point Jazz will continue at all of our current venues (and maybe we’ll unveil another one as the year pans out…). Time to get those pens and diaries together folks, because here are The January Listings!
AROUND THE CLUBS – SUMMARY
Weds 01 Jan 11:00 NYDay jazz brunch: Andy Drudy + Neal Alfriston Fri 03 Jan 18:30 Dinner Jazz piano with Rod Hart Alfriston Fri 03 Jan 19:00 Jazz & Gin pno/vox with Neal Hastings Sat 04 Jan 18:30 Dinner Jazz piano with Neal Alfriston Sun 05 Jan 12:30 Dinner Jazz piano with Neal Alfriston Weds 08 Jan 19:00 Shireen Francis + Neal’s Trio Seaford Fri 10 Jan 18:30 Dinner Jazz piano with Neal Alfriston Sat 11 Jan 18:30 Dinner Jazz piano with Neal Alfriston Sun 12 Jan 12:30 Dinner Jazz piano with Neal Alfriston Fri 17 Jan 18:30 Dinner Jazz piano with Neal Alfriston Sat 18 Jan 18:30 Dinner Jazz piano with Neal Alfriston Sun19 Jan 12:30 Dinner Jazz piano with Neal Alfriston Thurs 23 Jan 19:30 Julian Marc-Stringle + Neal’s Trio Brighton Fri 24 Jan 18:30 Dinner Jazz piano with Neal Alfriston Sat 25 Jan 18:30 Dinner Jazz piano with Neal Alfriston Sun 26 Jan 12:30 Dinner Jazz piano with Neal Alfriston Weds 29 Jan 19:30 Sue Richardson + Neal Battle Weds 29 Jan 20:00 Tommaso Starace + Band Eastbourne Fri 31 Jan 18:30 Dinner Jazz piano with Neal Alfriston
IN DETAIL:
Wednesday January 1st, Alfriston New Year’s Day Jazz Brunch at Deans Place Hotel (Seaford Rd, Alfriston BN26 5TW)
With the fiery jazz Duo of Neal Richardson (piano/vocals) and Andy Drudy (guitar/vocals). Come and see the musical sparks fly between these two friends of 20 years, in the newly-awarded 4* country house hotel! A great start to the New Year – and guaranteed to take you mind off your hangover. Book a table on 01323 870248, music is 11am-2pm.
FridayJanuary 3rd, Hastings Maxine’s Bar and Restaurant at Bannatynes Spa Hotel, Hastings (Battle Rd, St Leonards-on-sea TN38 8EA) features Neal playing solo piano and singing for their monthly Jazz & Gin night.
If you haven’t been before you’ll find that Maxine’s is quite a swanky venue, they’ve got a huge range of gins (plus other alcoholic beverages) and you get to hear Neal burning up the keyboard too. You can even ask for a request, something special, ‘our tune’, that sort of thing. No guarantees he’ll play it but worth a try… The music starts at 7pm, and both parking and gig are free.
Wednesday January 8th, Seaford We’re starting the new year with some scintillating vocals at The View, Southdown Road, BN25 4JS when the fabulous Shireen Francis will be our special guest, with Neal‘s Trio.
Blessed with a deep, soulful voice and incredible range, Shireen has developed her own unique blend of jazz incorporating flavours of gospel, blues, calypso and reggae. She’s also a warm, likeable personality on (and off) stage and we think you’ll love her, Seaford. They certainly like her at BBC Radio: “Quite simply, one of the best British jazz vocalists of this generation” they said. And you can’t get much higher praise than that…
Neal’s Trio for this one is spectacular too: a very welcome return by the great Andy Hamill on bass and, making his SPJC debut will be Brad Webb on drums, who’s in between touring with Tim Minchin and next Jamie Cullum!
So this looks like being a stunning gig to kick off 2020 at Seaford. Don’t forget you can eat before the gig at The View, just give them a buzz beforehand (01323 890139) so they know how many to expect. Food is served all day until 8pm.
The music starts at 7pm, on Wednesday January 8th, tickets are £10, on the door on the night or in advance from WeGotTickets.com. (booking fee applies).
Thursday January 23rd, Brighton Our January guest at The Walrus, (10 Ship St, BN1 1AD) is the renowned clarinettist Julian Marc-Stringle, who performed one of the gigs of the year in Seaford SPJC last year. Julian will be accompanied by Neal’s Trio, which tonight comprises again the multi-instrumentalist Andy Hamill on double bass, and everyone’s favourite Austrian Alex Eberhard on drums.
First appearing on TV with Acker Bilk at the tender age of fourteen, Julian went on to become a virtuoso jazz clarinetist. In addition to leading his own bands Julian’s career has seen him performing with Peanuts Hucko, George Chisholm, Kenny Ball, Don Lusher, Kenny Baker, Dame Cleo Laine & Sir John Dankworth, Digby Fairweather, Craig Milverton and many others. In Paris he arranged and conducted a big band album for Charles Aznavour and he’s also worked with Meatloaf and Tina Turner – versatile or what?? Julian has been nominated in the Best Clarinetist category in the 2019 British Jazz Awards. Oh and by the way, he also plays alto and tenor saxes, and sings…
For anyone who hasn’t already been to The Walrus, you’ll find us in the room downstairs, which has a really nice jazz-club vibe. The food there is excellent too, so give yourself a treat, ignore the apron and oven at home, and indulge in a dinner-and-jazz night out (after all, it IS a new year, and you deserve it after all that cooking over Christmas…)
The music starts at 7.30pm on Thursday January 23rd, tickets are £10 (which includes your first drink), and you can buy in advance from thewalrusbrighton.com/#bookatable or on the door on the night.
Wednesday January 29th , Eastbourne There’ll be a European feel about The Fishermen’s Club (Royal Parade, BN22 7AA), at our January gig because our very special guest is Naples-born Tommaso Starace (saxes), plus on drums will be one of Spain’s finest, Javier Forero. Tommaso moved to the UK in 1994 where he graduated at Birmingham Conservatoire with a BMus first class honours, and in 2000 at the Guildhall School Of Music and Drama with a Postgraduate Degree in jazz studies. (Wow! Now that’s impressive…) He performs with his own quartet all over Europe, and has worked as a solo artist alongside some of the most respected jazz musicians worldwide. At the Fishermen’s we have the pleasure of hearing Tommaso playing with Mark Edwards (keys), Nigel Thomas (bass) and Javier Forero (drums). There will almost certainly be some European wines on sale (club prices, folks!) and Guinness – yes, that comes from Europe too, oh dear this is getting political now…
Doors open at 7.15pm on Wednesday January 29th and the music starts at 8pm, tickets are £10, on the door on the night or in advance from WeGotTickets.com. (booking fee applies).
Loads of free parking on site and drinks at club prices.
Wednesday January 29th, Battle Come along to the intimate jazz room at The Bull Inn (27 High Street, TN33 0EA), have your dinner cooked for you, and hear the wonderful singer/trumpeter Sue Richardson, accompanied by Neal. Sue and Neal have performed thousands of gigs together, on ships, in jazz clubs, hotels and concert halls all over the world (55 countries so far.)… Come and hear their intuitive communication in the music in this lovely venue. The music starts at 7.30pm on Wednesday January 29th (free to diners) and you should phone 01424 775171 beforehand to book a table.
SOLO PIANO GIGS
Every weekend, Alfriston Dinner Jazz @ Deans Place Hotel, BN26 5TW
Fridays & Saturdays from 6.30pm; Sunday lunches12.30pm Book a table on 01323 870248
Rod Hart – 3rd January Neal Richardson – 4th, 5th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 24th, 25th, 26th, 31st
JAZZ WORKSHOPS
SPJC’s good friend Andy Panayi re-starts his fortnightly sax workshops on Saturday 11th January, 9.30am-12pm.
His students put on a brilliant Big Band gig in Eastbourne last July, and if you were there you’ll know how impressive they were.
And new this season: He introduces a fortnightly jazz improvisation class (for players of all instruments) starting Saturday 4th January, 9.30am-12pm
If you’re interested in joining either of these, please contact Andy for more information on apanayisax@gmail.com
AND FINALLY, your New Year’s Resolutions are entirely your own affair, and we wouldn’t dream of asking you to divulge them to us… but we’ll stand a drink in the bar for the person who comes up with a prediction of the most amusing ‘first’ to come out of 2020!
All of us at Splash Point Jazz would like to wish every one of you
A HAPPY, HEALTHY AND EXCITING NEW YEAR!
Keep supporting live jazz in Sussex in 2020! The Splash Point mob.
@splashpointjazz
Copyright 2019 Splash Point Music, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you signed up to our newsletter (ASK Jazz, Splash Point Music and Splash Point Jazz Club). We really don’t want to spam you so please do unsubscribe and accept our apologies for interrupting you.
Now, to quote the “unforgettable” poetry that is the lyric of Slade’s ‘Merry Christmas Everybody’:
So here it is, Merry Christmas Everybody’s having fun Look to the future now It’s only just begun…
And there you have it. The essence of this season of good cheer.
We could spend a few minutes now jingling our way down the memory lane of Christmas number ones, but actually there are really only two that matter, aren’t there? The first of course, Bing Crosby’s ‘White Christmas’, the world’s best selling single, with estimated sales in excess of 50 million copies worldwide. The other… well we’ll get to the other one later on…
Christmas at Splash Point Jazz is a thoroughly jolly affair, the office a blaze of fairy lights and candles, desks piled high with tinsel and crackers (well where did you think Neal got his gags from??), and an abundance of (vegan) mince pies and chocolates.
SPJC Christmas Special gigs were, naturally, organised back in the summer (anyone remember that?) so around the office the anticipation has been growing for months. But it’s time now to share the excitement, and so here are (drumroll please…) THE DECEMBER LISTINGS!
Splash Point Jazz gigs Dec 2019 – AT A GLANCE
Sun 1st
12.30pm
Alfriston
Neal’s solo Dinner Jazz
Weds 4th
7pm
Seaford
Sue’s Ella & Louis Show
Thur 5th
7am (!)
Seaford
Neal & Julie Terry
Fri 6th
6.30pm
Alfriston
Rod Hart solo
Fri 6th
7pm
Hastings
Neal’s Gin & Jazz
Sat 7th
6.30pm
Alfriston
Neal solo
Sun 8th
12.30pm
Alfriston
Neal solo
Weds 11th
8pm
Eastbourne
Sue’s Screen Sirens Show
Fri 13th
6.30pm
Alfriston
Neal solo
Sat 14th
6.30pm
Alfriston
Rod Hart solo
Sun 15th
12.30pm
Alfriston
Rod Hart solo
Weds 18th
7.30pm
Battle
Neal and Dave Lewis duo
Fri 20th
6.30pm
Alfriston
Neal solo
Sat 21st
6.30pm
Alfriston
Neal solo
Sun 22nd
12.30pm
Alfriston
Neal solo
Tue 24th
6.30pm
Alfriston
Neal solo
Weds 25th
12.30pm
Alfriston
Fiona Hosford harp
Thur 26th
12.30pm
Alfriston
Neal solo
Fri 27th
6.30pm
Alfriston
Neal solo
Sat 28th
6.30pm
Alfriston
Rod Hart solo
Sun 29th
12.30pm
Alfriston
Rod Hart solo
Weds 1st Jan
12.30pm
Alfriston
Neal and Andy Drudy duo
More details below. Please always check with venues on the day.
AROUND THE CLUBS:
Wednesday December 4th , Seaford: Xmas Special
First up in the 2019 run of Christmas Specials is Seaford, at The View, Southdown Road, BN25 4JS where Sue Richardson is performing her wonderful Tribute to Ella and Louis – just as well then that Sue plays the trumpet and sings as brilliantly as she does! Alongside Sue, every note of the way, are Neal (piano), Miles Danso (bass) and Alex Eberhard (drums).
Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong recorded three albums together in the late 1950s, and were described as ‘the perfect partnership’. The musical chemistry between them resulted in some of jazz’s finest and most memorable duets – find out how they did it on December 4th at The View!
Seaford also boasts a monthly raffle that other jazz clubs would kill for, and our Christmas Raffle is legendary. But to be in with a chance of winning a prize you have to meet us halfway by coming along to the gig and BUYING A TICKET!
The music starts at 7pm, on Wednesday December 4th , tickets are £10, on the door on the night or in advance from WeGotTickets.com. (booking fee applies).
Thursday December 5th at 7am!! Neal Richardson & Julie Terry duo, Seaford Chamber of Commerce Xmas Breakfast Special, The View. Contact www.seafordchamber.co.uk if you want to come as a guest.
Friday December 6th, Hastings Maxine’s Bar and Restaurant at Bannatynes Hotel & Spa, Hastings (Battle Rd, St Leonards-on-sea TN38 8EA) features Neal playing and singing for their Xmas Gin and Jazz night. The music starts at 7pm, and both parking and gig are free.
Wednesday December 11th , Eastbourne: Xmas Special You can come in your posh togs for the Eastbourne Christmas Special at The Fishermen’s Club (Royal Parade, BN22 7AA), because we’re getting the paparazzi in and rolling the red carpet out for Sue Richardson’s amazing show ‘Screen Sirens‘. It tells the stories behind some of the movie industry’s top leading ladies – both the beauties and the beasts – from Hollywood’s first talkies through to the technicolor 1950s. Sue brings a cast of beautiful, tempestuous women alive through the popular Oscar-winning songs which helped to make them famous – from films such as Top Hat, Breakfast at Tiffany’s and The Wizard of Oz, and lets us into the world of Doris Day, Audrey Hepburn, Marlene Dietrich and many other stars from Hollywood’s golden age.
Supporting Sue will be Neal (keys), Andy Hamill (double bass) and Rod Youngs (drums). And because it’s Christmas, there will be mince pies and mulled wine available! Doors open at 7.15pm on Wednesday December 11th 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. Wednesday December 18th, Battle (this appears incorrectly on flyers as December 28th – we all proof-read these and yet that one STILL crept through…)
The Bull Inn (27 High Street, TN33 0EA) will have their festive menu in place for our Christmas Special gig in Battle when Neal will be joined by super-saxman Dave Lewis. Soulful and bluesy, Dave is an American saxophonist now resident in the UK, with a natural affinity to the jazz greats such as Dexter Gordon and Joe Henderson. He is known for his distinctive tenor sound and individual approach. He sounds great playing alongside Neal, who will no doubt be letting his funky side come to the fore on this night, and together they are going to ROCK the Bull like it’s never been rocked before!
The music starts at 7.30pm on Wednesday December 18th (free to diners) and you should phone 01424 775171 beforehand to book a table. Check out the Christmas menu on their website: www.thebullinnbattle.co.uk. Yum.
There is no December gig at our Brighton venue (The Walrus) but we’re back there in the New Year. More details in the January newsletter.
ALFRISTON solo piano residency: Every Fri & Sat 6.30pm, Sunday lunch 12.30pm Dates throughout the month at Deans Place Hotel, BN26 5TW Book a table on 01323-870248
Xmas Eve – Neal Richardson 6.30-9pm Xmas Day – Fiona Hosford harp 12.30pm-5pm Boxing Day – Neal Richardson 12.30-5pm
2020: Jan 1st New Year’s Day Jazz Brunch 12.30-3pm pm Neal Richardson & Andy Drudy
AND FINALLY, there’s the little matter of that other major Christmas hit. Its title is ‘The Christmas Song’, but it’s known to most people by the first line of the lyrics – ‘Chestnuts roasting on an open fire’… which of course was a massive hit for Nat Cole.
The thing is: which famous singer wrote the lyrics?
There’s a hairband with reindeer antlers attached for the first person to email us the correct answer.
All of us Splash Point Jazz would like to wish every one of you
A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS, AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!
And THANK YOU for supporting live jazz in Sussex this year 🙂
Please keep it up in 2020!
The Splash Point mob.
Copyright 2019 Splash Point Music, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you signed up to our newsletter (ASK Jazz, Splash Point Music and Splash Point Jazz Club). We really don’t want to spam you so please do unsubscribe and accept our apologies for interrupting you.Our mailing address is:
Yes, we know we said we wouldn’t bombard you with emails – and we don’t (and we won’t) but think of this as a sort of mid-term report. Or a letter from the Head telling you about Open Day. But this is EXCITING NEWS and you’re hearing it first!
Neal is doing two shows with his wonderful ‘Not King Cole’ quartet at the London Jazz Festival. It’s on Sunday November 17th, 3pm and 7pm and the tickets have just gone on sale!
Both shows are at the fabulously Art Deco cabaret room the ‘Crazy Coqs’, at Brasserie Zedel, London. W1F 7ED. It’s just off Piccadilly Circus, and really easy to find. The interior decoration is jaw-dropping and it’s a lovely, intimate venue which is just perfect for Neal’s Nat King Cole tribute. There is VERY limited seating, so buy your tickets NOW while they still have some available. They are £25 each, which for a top London venue is not bad. This is the blurb from the Crazy Coqs brochure, just released into the world and already getting plenty of attention.
For all of pianist and singer Neal Richardson’s career, Nat King Cole has been hovering in the background, an ever-present inspiration. For two shows at Crazy Coqs, experience a tribute from one pianist and singer to the memory of another.
Rather than attempting to imitate Nat King Cole, the show is an honest and affectionate re-working of some of his greatest hits, with a biographical strand running throughout as Neal tells Nat’s inspiring and uplifting story.
Neal’s father, also a pianist, was a fan of Nat’s and so the young Neal grew up listening to classics such as Orange Coloured Sky, Mona Lisa and Sweet Lorraine. Not to put too fine a point on it, Nat’s music was the main reason why Neal wanted to become a professional pianist/singer in the first place. Whilst working in Los Angeles, he was privileged to have the opportunity to play Nat’s piano at Capitol Studios.
Should you wish to enjoy dinner or a light bite to eat before or after your show, Brasserie Zédel is located just across the foyer from Crazy Coqs. To book a table, please call 020 7734 4888 or visit us online at www.brasseriezedel.com/reservations.
We really hope you can make it to the Crazy Coqs, Neal would love to see you there!
Copyright 2019 Splash Point Music, All rights reserved. You received this email as you requested newsletters (from Ask Jazz, Splash Point Jazz Club and Splash Point Music). We do not wish to spam you so please do unsubscribe if you wish to and accept our apologies for interrupting you.Our mailing address is:
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 4th, when the fabulous Raul D’Oliviera is Neal’s special guest.
Friday August 2nd, Hastings
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 August 4th, Alfriston
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.
Wednesday August 21st Brighton
The newest SPJC venue is The Walrus, (10 Ship Street, BN1 1AD01273-025749). 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 21st, tickets are £10, and you can buy in advance from thewalrusbrighton.com/#bookatable or on the door on the night.
Wednesday August 28th, Eastbourne
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 28thand 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!
Wednesday August 28th, Battle
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 28thand 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 3rd – 19th 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
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