NEWS LETTER
Don’t you just love April? Tulips, British Summer Time and Easter, all falling in the same joyful month! We’re feeling pretty perky here at Splash Point Jazz because we’ve had some wonderful gigs recently, which you lovely people have supported magnificently and in your droves, e.g. at least FOUR of our gigs in March (Eastbourne, Battle, Lewes Depot and Alfriston) were oversubscribed, standing-room-only, sold-out – THANK YOU!
So let’s see if we can put a Spring in your step this month too, with our monthly round-up of who’s where around the Clubs, in date order…
SPJC SEAFORD
First up is SEAFORD at the View (Seaford Head Golf Club, BN25 4JS).
Our special guest with Neal‘s trio on Wednesday April 3rd is the irrepressible Mark Bassey (trombone). We love Mark, musically he’s spot-on and his gigs are always such fun. When you look at the list of some of the people he’s played with (Julian Arguelles, Alan Barnes, Liane Carroll, Charlotte Glasson, Nikki Iles, Billy Jenkins & the BBC Big Band, Stan Sulzmann, Clark Tracey, Mike Westbrook, Kenny Wheeler etc etc) you start to get some idea of his calibre. Mark has been described as “a superb, witty player” (Dave Gelly). His playing can stretch from the “raucous” (John Fordham) to an “exquisite sound and perfect phrasing” (Brian Blain). Exciting stuff!
Playing alongside Neal and Mark are Andy Hamill (bass) and Alex Pitt (drums), something of a dream band then!.
Dinner is available at The View, provided you book in advance on 01323 890139. Or just come to listen – and stand the chance of winning an Easter Egg in the raffle! Have we convinced you yet?
The music starts at 7pm. There’s free parking right outside the door. Tickets are £10, buy on the door on the night or in advance from WeGotTickets.com/splashpointjazz (booking fee applies).
SPJC HASTINGS
At Bannatynes Spa Hotel Hastings (Battle Rd, St Leonards-on-sea TN38 8EA) you will be able to hear Neal playing solo piano/vocals on Friday April 5th for “Jazz & Gin” from 7pm It’s a very classy bar and restaurant. Plenty of on-site parking at Bannatynes too.
SPJC ALFRISTON
Neal‘s second solo gig of the month is at Deans Place Hotel, Alfriston BN26 5TW on Sunday April 7th, where he is playing for Sunday lunch diners from 12.30pm as usual on the first Sunday of the month. It couldn’t be easier to get a table, simply phone 01323 870248. Sometimes you just need to have someone else do the cooking for you, don’t you? And anyway if you stay home for Sunday lunch you won’t have Neal playing for you. Unless you’re Sue. Possibly.
HYDRO Jazz Tea
Sorry folks this one’s not happening due to circs beyond us.
SPJC BRIGHTON
BRIGHTON MARINA, at The Master Mariner (BN2 5WD) on Thursday April 11th, features another SPJC favourite, Portuguese-born Latin jazz expert Raul D’Oliveira who plays a mean trumpet and also sings a mean song. As if that wasn’t enough, Raul has a box full of the most amazing percussion instruments, you never know what he’s going to bring out next! You can be sure of a terrific evening’s entertainment from Raul – who incidentally is not to be confused with a retired Portuguese footballer of the same name. Though we’re pretty sure he could have done that expertly as well… Neal’s trio will be there to add to the fun, featuring SPJC favourite stalwart Andy Drudy on bass and latin drummer par excellence Sam Glasson.
The music starts at 7.30pm, admission is FREE, and there’s a varied bar menu to choose from at the Mariner.
HIDEAWAY STREATHAM
If you fancy a night out in London, Sue Richardson is on trumpet for David McAlmont’s Billie Holiday show at the Hideaway Jazz club in Streatham on Saturday April 20th. It’s excellent but will sell out so book quickly through their website hideaway live.co.uk – there’s a nice video clip on there too.
SPJC HASTINGS – Easter
You can find Neal playing/singing at Bannatynes Spa Hotel Hastings (Battle Rd, St Leonards-on-sea TN38 8EA) again for Easter Sunday 21st April for lunch from 12.30pm.
SPJC EASTBOURNE
Eastbourne jazz club, at The Fishermen’s Club, Royal Parade, BN22 7AA sold out in March and is planning to do the same in April, when we’re delighted to feature Sara Dowling‘s Quartet on Wednesday April 24th. Sara is a rapidly rising star on the jazz scene – as a vocalist her influences include Sarah Vaughan and Betty Carter, pretty big shoes to fill but she does it brilliantly, and does it in her own way. Currently touring the UK, her gigs are selling out wherever she goes – so our advice is to get your tickets in advance – or if you would prefer to pay on the night get to the Club early. Sara’s musicians are: Gabriel Latchin (keys), Dario Di Lecce (double bass), and Steve Brown (drums).
Doors open at 7.15pm and the music starts at 8pm, tickets are £10, on the door on the night or in advance from WeGotTickets.com/splashpointjazz. (booking fee applies).
No problem parking as there’s an embarrassment of it right outside the door (free!) and drinks at club prices. It is (as they say) a no-brainer. Whatever that means…
SPJC BATTLE
And if you live closer to Battle than to Eastbourne then you’ll want to know that on the very same night, Wednesday April 24th , at the Bull Hotel Battle (27 High Street, TN33 0EA) Neal will have as his special guest another singing Sara – this time it’s the delightful Dane Sara Oschlag. Musically right on the money, Sara is an assured and thrilling singer, whilst being a relaxed and very cool lady, who is used to working with Neal and will keep him in line. Something the rest of us struggle with…[Cheek! – Ed.]
The music at The Bull is free to diners and you are advised to book in advance to avoid disappointment as Jazz Wednesdays have become very popular and prone to selling out (as March did…). Nice menu, good food and some lovely jazz vibes as well. Call the lovely people at The Bull on 01424 775171 to reserve a table. The music starts at 7.30pm.
+ + + Advanced Notice: We’re visiting Rottingdean again next month!
Friday 17th May we present The Chris Hodgkins International Quartet. Book now! WeGotTickets.com/splashpointjazz
Share some of that April joy with us by coming along to one of the SPJC gigs. Lots of good things coming your way! Please TELL YOUR FRIENDS! Forward this Newsletter!
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 and beyond!
The Splash Point mob.
#splashpointjazz