THE SUSSEX STOMPERS

Saturday 10am-12pm: Follow the Sussex Stompers from outside 1 Middle Row along the High Street and finishing at midday in Queens Square.

Sponsored by East Grinstead Town Council

Richard Boswell trumpet, Alan Cresswell clarinet, Paul Busby sousaphone, Tony Still marching snareA Sussex-based band, toe-tapping ensemble playing numbers all in the New Orleans tradition.

JULIAN NICHOLAS & IMOGEN  RYALL BAND 

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Sponsored by  OLD DUNNINGS MILL 

Saturday 1-3pm: OLD DUNNINGS MILL, Dunnings Road, RH19 4AT

​​Imogen Ryall - Vocalist

London-born singer and lyricist, Imogen Ryall grew up in a theatrical environment but migrated toward music – attending the Guildhall School of Music & Drama. Imogen is highly regarded by great artists Claire Martin O.B.E, Ian Shaw, Joe Stilgoe and Liane Carroll.

A regular in the London Jazz scene, Imogen has performed at famous venues such as the 606 Club, Jazz Café, Ronnie Scott’s and The Barbican Hall. She is a nominated artist for ‘Vocalist’ and ‘Album of the Year’ in the Parliamentary Jazz Awards, 2024.

​Julian Nicholas - saxophonist, composer.

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“....is no stranger to fans of top-flight U.K. jazz” – Mat Snow, MOJO Magazine

has recorded live for BBC R3 at Ronnie Scott’s, with the great ‘Loose Tubes’, and with Claire Martin O.B.E., live from The Barbican.

He has also played with among others, Harry ‘Sweets’ Edison, Corrie Dick, Arnie Lawrence, Carleen Anderson, Joe Lee Wilson, Eddie Henderson, Bobby Wellins, Liane Carroll, Nikki Iles, Pete Churchill, Eddie Parker, Chris McGregor’s Brotherhood Of Breath and Stan Tracey.

One of Julian’s mentors, the legendary Bobby Wellins, said of him 

“…his beautiful and creative playing makes Julian one of my favourite tenor saxophonists.” 

Julian co-runs the ‘Original UK Jazz Summer School’ at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama.

His band has twice played opposite Nina Simone. 

Julian co-composed the 1993 B.A.F.T.A.-nominated film score, “Fool’s Gold” LWT

Mark Edwards - Pianist

has worked with top U.K. and U.S. names, including Johnny Dankworth, Bobby Wellins, Jo Harman, Scott Hamilton, Ken Peplowski, Jimmy Witherspoon, Claire Martin and Liane Carroll, Kirk Whalum and Jim Mullen.

“Pianist/programmer/producer/composer/arranger Mark Edwards is, by common consent, a ‘polymath’ musician of the highest standard, who has performed and recorded with many elite international artists and musicians from across the musical panorama.” Mark Ede

Mark has produced more than 200 albums for a whole range of record labels and artists across many genres including the likes of noted blues/soul/jazz fuelled artists Beth Rowley, Carleen Anderson, and Paul Jones (Manfred Mann, Blues Band). Opera/Classical credits include Katherine Jenkins, Amy Dickson and Jonathan Veira.

Touring the world over the last 10 years as pianist for Katie Melua, Mark’s three-decade ‘pop’ resumé also includes Paul Weller, Aztec Camera, Roddy Frame and Marc Almond.

Quotes:

…..Imogen Ryall, Julian Nicholas and Mark Edwards have worked together in various ensembles for many years and this familiarity is evident in the relaxed, playful yet totally engaging rapport that they have between them.”

Steve Rubie, Club owner @ 606, Bandleader.

A total joy from start to finish”.  

 Claire Martin OBE

Seb Scotney’s – UKJazzNews review for Posk Vocal Festival:

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 Django Chutney  virtuosic gypsy-jazz 

'manouche et trois'

Sponsored by The Engine Room
 

Saturday 5-7pm: THE ENGINE ROOM specialising in real ales and craft beers.

Performance outside 1st Floor, The OldMill, 45 London Road, RH191AW

Django Chutney have been described as a virtuosic gypsy-jazz ‘manouche et trois’, with equal parts due respect for the genre, unruly chaotic energy and a huge dose of tongue-in-cheek humour.

The Brighton-based trio have been blowing away audiences since 2021. They create tightly woven, three-part vocal harmonies reminiscent of 1930s and 40s American vocal groups the Mills Brothers and the Ink Spots. This is combined with ridiculous guitar show-offery and double bass solos that drag Pops Fosters’ slap technique kicking and screaming into the 21st century.

Their repertoire is seemingly firmly rooted in the 30s Hot Club de France era, but will suddenly transport you through decades and styles from New Orleans jazz to Chicago blues and Parisian musette, effortlessly, respectfully, but most importantly, with true joie de vivre!

Drawing from Django’s repertoire, along with more modern tunes, 20’s blues, and the very-possible chance of some Black Sabbath, Django Chutney streamroller their audience with a forceful jazz-guitar sound that amazes and delights in equal measure.

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HEADLINE CONCERT ST SWITHIN'S CHURCH SAT  7.30pm 

BASIL HODGE JAZZ AFRICA ! FT TONI KOFI ON SAX 

East Grinstead Jazz Festival supported by Being Neighbourly and EGJazzClub presents

Basil Hodge Jazz Africa! - From Roots to Right Now !

An  all-star band, led by keyboardist Basil Hodge, featuring Tony Kofi  the award winning  British jazz saxophonist and flautist.
Creating Jazz Africa  showcasing the true roots of this ever popular and rather cool music called jazz.

Jazz heritage goes back way beyond New Orleans, spreads across continents and oceans and over the years has evolved into some of the most evocative, inclusive yet diverse and innovative of all popular music.

Expect some familiar tunes, some audience participation and even the urge to dance  but beyond anything else, expect an evening of phenomenal live music brought to you by the incredible Basil Hodge Quintet.

We promise this is not “Scary Jazz”!

This is jazz for ALL the family. For young and for old. For those that have never seen jazz before. And for those who love an innovative, inspirational and exciting artform that’s quite frankly different every time it's performed.
The band  will perform a range of music from Africa. It is Jazz fused with Afrobeat, Township and Funk from such artists as Felu Kuti, Manu Dibango, Abdullah Ibrahim. Expect high-quality improvisation, driving rhythms with djembes and shakers from these excellent musicians.

Basil Hodge - Keyboards,
Tony Kofi - Tenor and Soprano Saxophones
Stuart Fiddler - Guitar
Andrew John - Bass Guitar
Winston Clifford - Drums
Cheikh Diop - Djembe and Percussion
 
Our venue for this year's headline concert on the Saturday night is the beautiful St Swithun's Church in the heart of East Grinstead with parking close by .
a Grade II* listed building. The site had a church since the 11th century.
For those of you that experienced our live events last year at the church ,will know how atmospheric the church is with the lighting we use.

We will have a  Bar open at 7pm and in the interval kindly supplied by Being Neighbourly

St Swithun's Church,  Church Ln, East Grinstead RH19 3AF

Book your tickets now to not miss out on the Jazz Africa experience via Ticket Source £20

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THE JIVE ACES

Saturday 12-1:30pm: High Street Market Square 

Sponsored by the Jive Aces 

The Jive Aces - renowned worldwide for their high-energy spectacular showmanship, their viral video ‘Bring Me Sunshine’ and for being the first live band to reach the final rounds of ‘Britain’s Got Talent’.

The Jive Aces have firmly established themselves the UK’s no.1 Jive & Swing band.

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Find out more at: JiveAces.org

 GEORGE TREBAR NIGHTHAWKS