Darlington New Orleans Jazz

2020 Events

Ray  Sams  ray@darlingtonjazz.co.uk   Graham Foster graham@darlingtonjazz.co.uk

No Jazz in January

Saturday 1st February 2020

Denise Gordon

Proudly influenced by her Nevison heritage, Denise has performed on the international stage for over 20 years. Her inspiration stems from her Caribbean roots, and the New Orleans influences of Mahalia Jackson and Louis Armstrong.

Her dynamic stage performance and powerful vocal style is ably complemented this afternoon by her fabulous backing band, featuring Enrico Tomasso, John Hallam, and the Tom Kinkaid Trio.

Saturday 8th February 2020

Frog and Henry Jazz Band (USA)

During your quiet moments do you ever wonder what the original jazz of New Orleans sounded like? Then why not step into our ‘Time Machine’ and listen to Frog and Henry.

 Frog and Henry were formed in New Orleans as a collective of musicians from several street groups. They play and record old dance and jazz music from the early 1900s; most of their repertoire being dug up from forgotten songs, dating to the dawn of recorded music, or from even earlier dusty old sheet music.  

Our audience, who heard them last year, know their musicianship is outstanding, and we immediately rebooked them on the spot. Not to be missed..

Saturday 7th March 2020

The Red Stripe Band

Now for something completely different, as Red Stripe is back.  Jump jive and rock and roll, all in true foot tapping boogie woogie style.  A non-stop show, with Red Stripe himself on piano and vocals; supported by some of the top session players on the circuit, including an accomplished horn section to give that authentic big band sound.

Saturday 28th March 2020

Mama Shakers (France)

This young band from the European jazz metropolis, Paris, are inspired by the American jug bands of the 1920s, hot swinging jazz, and old blues recordings. Wherever they play across Europe and the U.K, they are enthusiastically received by audiences and the media alike.

Saturday 4th April 2020

The Savannah Jazz Band

Our year wouldn’t be complete without a visit from Savannah and the promise of an afternoon of raw New Orleans jazz, from this ever popular and hard working band.

Saturday 18th April 2020

Keith Nichols’ Varsity Six

BBC Jazz Heritage Award winner Keith Nichols is the U.K’s premier vintage style pianist, with an encyclopedic knowledge of early jazz. Together with the country’s finest jazz musicians he presents authentic recreations of some of the greatest jazz artists. This afternoon he is joined by Enrico Tomasso, Trevor Whiting, Thomas ‘Spats’ Langham, Malcolm Sked, and Nick Ward, to visit the music of the 1920s and 1930s.

Saturday 2nd May 2020

The Swing 4

This ensemble has been created just for us, to perform classic jazz styles and hot swing. All served up with virtuosity, variety, history and humour by Jeff and Anne Barnhart, Keith Stephen and Nick Ward

Saturday 16th May 2020

Jeff Barnhart’s Hot Five

Hot jazz and vocals served up by a powerhouse line up of American jazz pianist Jeff Barnhart, hot reed player John Hallam, newcomer to Darlington, trumpeter Phil Lucas, together with Ed Harrison and Graham Smith.

Saturday  6th June 2020

Dani Sicari & the Easy Rollers

Taking you back to the golden age of jazz, The Easy Rollers are a roaring seven-piece vintage jazz band performing hits from the speakeasy bars of the Prohibition era through to the end of the Swing era. Based in Manchester, they have had audiences jumpin’ and jivin’ on dance floors across the country.

Saturday 4th July 2020

No Jazz Today
see below

Saturday 11th July 2020

Enrico Tomasso, Nick Ward, together with the New Century Ragtime Orchestra

Last year’s gig saw our largest audience ever!  With the trumpet wizardry of Rico, five times winner of ‘Best Jazz Trumpeter’, the rock solid classic jazz drumming of Nick, together with the North East’s unique 12 piece Ragtime Orchestra, you are guaranteed an afternoon of exquisite musicianship, as they take you on a  roller coaster of music from ‘The Jazz Age’.   Don’t miss out - get there early!

 Saturday 1st August 2020

The Pedigree Jazz Band

The Pedigree Jazz Band has proved a resounding success with rave reviews and repeat bookings – hence they are back here after last year’s superb performance. We can once again take a walk down Memory Lane, as they recreate the music of the British Trad Boom of the 1950s and 1960s.

Saturday 5th September 2020

Spats Langham’s Hot Fingers

Hot Fingers are not to be missed as they capture that lazy Sunday afternoon feeling. Their programme is played beautifully, with wit and aplomb, held together by their unique style and outstanding musicianship.

Saturday12th September 2020

Jeff Barnhart’s ‘Silent Comedy Film Festival’   
Reel 3

Another collection of silent comedy films, accompanied by Jeff’s musical magic.

Saturday 3rd October 2020

Shades of Jazz

This band were put together for a ‘one off’ performance at a jazz festival; such was their success that they are in constant demand, and we are lucky to be able to get them back for a second outing to Darlington. Expect a varied programme of Dixieland, Revivalist, Trad and popular jazz from these top quality experienced musicians.

Saturday 7th November 2020

T.J.Johnson

TJ, backed by his band of top calibre musicians, twists the boundaries of jazz, blues, country and gospel music. Whether he’s singing dirty low down blues, swinging your socks off, or soothing your heart with a plaintiff ballad, there’s one thing for sure, you won’t escape the reach of his stylish charm.

Saturday 14 November 2020

Tenement Jazz Band

Tenement Jazz Band are a traditional jazz band formed early in 2018 in Edinburgh.
Brought together by their shared love of New Orleans music, and comprising musicians from various corners of Edinburgh’s vibrant jazz scene, they are on a journey of exploration back to the roots of the music they play.

Band members are:- Tom Pickles: Saxophones, Paddy Darley: Trombone, Charles Dearness : Trumpet,   John Youngs: Guitar / Banjo and Doug Kemp: Double Bass.

Saturday 5th December 2020

The River City Hot Six

It’s fantastic to see trombonist Gordon Solomon back on the Tyneside jazz scene again, fronting a band of very talented local musicians. Bob Wade (trp), Steve Andrews (cl, ts), Keith Stephen (bjo),

Phil Rutherford (bb), and Tommy Graham (drms)(Not in picture). Originally formed as the River City Jazz in 1955 disbanded in 2008 and reformed under the new title in 2018

All events take place at St Augustine's Parish Hall Larchfield Street Darlington DL3 7TG
Entry is £10 on the day, Children under 16 free with Accompanying adult

Sessions are from 12.30 to 3.00 usually with one interval
Doors open at 12.00

Please note: Occasionally due to unforeseen circumstance it may be necessary to change the programme at short notice.

Whenever possible we will announce such changes on this site but we reserve the right to make changes without such notice.