Jazz Gigs in Bristol

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Bristol's Jazz Scene

There are two distinct sides to Bristol's jazz scene and in the middle a line that's rarely crossed...

Jazz in Bristol's Large Venues
On one side are the (usually larger) international jazz events, typically at venues like Colston Hall and St Georges. These are great venues to see contemporary jazz in Bristol with recent (2009 - 2010) highlights including Portico Quartet, Cinematic Orchestra and the Neil Cowley Trio. Live jazz in these Bristol venues has more of a concert feel, almost always seated and usually around the £15 mark depending on the seats. Bristol is fortunate to be a key stop over in most UK jazz tours and it is always worth keeping an eye on who's playing when and where and get jazz tickets early for decent seats.

Jazz in Bristol's Small Venues
The otherside of Bristol's live jazz scene couldn't be more different. Bristol is home to some awesome jazz musicians, many of international standard playing international gigs. What's great about Bristol is you can often catch these artists while they're at home often for free. Notable examples include Daisy Palmer (drummer - Goldfrapp), James Bateman (sax - Badbone & Co, Ronnie Scotts) and James Morton (sax - Pee Wee Ellis, The Herbaliser). Unlike the large tours at the bigger venues jazz gigs in Bristol pubs are more organic and unpredictable. With so many quality musicians playing in so many different bands or improvising with different artists, live jazz in Bristol is constantly evolving. When looking for whats on jazz in Bristol it's often more important to consider which individual musicians are playing where, rather than browsing by band or headliner. At live music events in Bristol pubs for the best views you'll need to stand but sometimes tables if you're lucky enough to get one.. ***** Where to see live jazz in Bristol
The whats on listings to the left show all upcoming jazz gigs in Bristol but it's still worth mentioning some consistent venues. Always check whats on at the Coronation Tap on Tuesdays and Sundays, (usually jazz or blues, always free). Other key jazz venues in Bristol include the Old Duke (live music every night, always free) and the Grain Barge (gigs every Friday, around £3).

We also have whats on info and listings for gypsy jazz, which we have decided to keep separate.

Is there a new generation of jazz?

Many people who lived through the golden era of jazz will tell you it's dead. But many international publications say jazz is having a new dawn in the UK and that the genre is evolving because of multiculturalism. Some of this can be seen in the Bristol jazz scene, the non-purist outlook of Worm Disco Club and Bristol Jazz and Blues Fest. With a new generation of jazz fans, comes a new outlook on jazz - Bristol has always had young and adventurous music makers from it’s local community and insurgent student population. Will Bristol be the new centre of a new kind of jazz in the UK? Only time will tell.

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Our recent jazz recommendations

Trans-Atlantic collab where American roots meets British folk at its finest. With every virtuoso pluck of the guitar and bow of the fiddle, Brooks Williams and Aaron Catlow (Sheelanagig) pay loving homage to the 20th century songbook of bluegrass, blues, ragtime, folk, jazz manouche and music hall. Essential FFO: Dave Swarbrick, Martin Carthy, Django Reinhardt, Stéphane Grappelli. Brooks Williams & Aaron Catlow at Bristol Folk House.

Sell out warning! Come get schooled by THE dance music innovator who’s been floating above acid house, hardcore, dnb and jungle weaving a magical influence on all…..You only get one Gerald in this life, and this is it. A Guy Called Gerald + The Jungle Drummer at Strange Brew.

Sell out warning! Like your favourite Madlib cuts come to life, Surprise Chef feel like you're trailing the most epic crate digging session ever. Marrying 70s funkxploitation grooves with instrumental stoner soul and dusky boombap kicks, they’re flooding the global consciousness with classic fills beamed from another era. Highly unmissable FFO: Khruangbin, 30/70, David Axelrod, Dilla, BadBadNotGood. Surprise Chef + Support at The Lantern.

Pinch us, we’re dreaming; two indispensable axes of New Weird Americana coming forth on the same bill! Six Organs’ pitch-black drone-folk mysticism sparring with Jackie O-Motherfucker’s fantastical improv psychedelic freak-outs!? Pure fucking magic FFO: Bardo Pond, Flying Saucer Attack, Current 93, Charalambides, Fahey, Sun City Girls. Six Organs of Admittance + Jackie-O Motherfucker + Riley/Radley at Strange Brew.

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What our editors say

“Based somewhere in between Brighton and Portsmouth, Beatroot have been taking their special brew of dirty funk across the UK and winning over audiences with high-energy performances, unique instrumental arrangements and a surprising ability to fit onto stages that should really be much too small for them. A big band with a big sound: brass in your face, a relentless rhythm section, artery popping trumpets and a baritone that hits you where it hurts. This is dirty funk- order up!”
From: Beatroot

“Described as “a breath of fresh air on the swing scene” (Twinwood Festival) Down for the Count’s 10-piece mini big band is regularly found in jazz clubs across the UK and abroad (Ronnie Scott’s London, Le Caveau de la Huchette Paris), at festivals including London Jazz Festival, and on BBC Radio. Now they are bringing the sounds and feels of the best jazz clubs to theatres around the country – with an electrifying show full of incredible energy, musicianship, and their own signature wry wit and humour.”
From: Swing That Music with the Down for the Count All-Stars

“Every Thursday 7-9pm at The Crafty Cow: the ZOiD Jazz Trio, featuring 3 of Bristol's best jazz musicians, lead by Irish guitarist Daniel Jacobson, with Italians on double bass and drums, Pasquale Votino and Mattia Collu. They play everything from swing tunes, bebop, bossa nova, funk and more.”
From: ZOiD Jazz Trio @ The Crafty Cow

“As The Wire notes, Maggie has ‘an instantly recognisable presence and voice…she has invented a whole new art form all for herself’. Maggie joined London's legendary Spontaneous Music Ensemble in 1968 as a free improvisation vocalist and became active running voice workshops with an involvement in local experimental theatre. She later joined the classic experimental big band Centipede, led by Keith Tippett, and in 1977, with musician/composer Lindsay Cooper, formed the influential Feminist Improvising Group.”
From: Maggie Nicols & Dan Johnson w/ Aly Eissa & Chris Cundy

“Curated by renowned jazz vocalist Karolina Griškutė, Karolina’s Jazz Club celebrates Bristol’s rich jazz talent while offering a platform for rising stars. Whether you're a seasoned jazz lover or exploring the genre for the first time, this is your chance to immerse yourself in the magic of live jazz and become part of Bristol's thriving music community.”
From: Bel Barnett & Helen Jenner at Karolina's Jazz Club