Peterborough Jazz Club
Hidden Jazz Spots & Local Bands
Peterborough Jazz Club was established in February 1992 by Laurie Jacobs, with its inaugural concert featuring the renowned Ronnie Scott Sextet.
The club operated continuously for nearly 30 years, hosting numerous British and international jazz artists, until it ceased activities in early 2022.
After a four-year hiatus, the club relaunched in January 2024, resuming its mission to bring high-quality jazz performances to the city.
As of January 2025, the club has been active for approximately 31 years, excluding the four-year break.
More information
Dates and locations of forthcoming gigs can be found on the Peterborough Jazz Club Facebook Page,
As of February 2025, their website https://peterboroughjazzclub.co.uk/ seems to have been compromised and content is related to online-gambling. Caution is advised!
Peterborough Jazz Club Events: 2025

Ralph Moore (tenor saxophone), Fraser Urquhart (piano), Simon Woolf (double bass), Joe Dessauer (drums).
Few musicians can match the depth of experience and legacy of tenor saxophonist Ralph Moore, a towering figure in the jazz world for decades. Born in Brixton, South London, in 1956, Moore was raised in a culturally vibrant environment. His mother, Josephine Wood, was a lifelong dancer and featured in a BBC2 Black Britain documentary.
Moore’s musical journey took a pivotal turn in 1972 when he moved to the U.S. as a teenager, committing himself fully to the saxophone. He honed his craft at Berklee College of Music in Boston before launching his professional career, earning the Lenny Johnson Memorial Award for outstanding musicianship. Over the years, Moore has performed and recorded with a stellar lineup of jazz legends, including Dizzy Gillespie (1987), Horace Silver (1981-85), Freddie Hubbard (1987-91), Ray Brown, Roy Haynes (1982-86), J.J. Johnson, Cedar Walton (1991-94), Bobby Hutcherson, McCoy Tyner, Roy Hargrove, Oscar Peterson, and Kenny Barron, among many others.
Moore’s deep passion for the tenor saxophone and his lifelong dedication to its mastery shine through in his performances. For 15 years, he was a key member of The Tonight Show Orchestra under Jay Leno, working with icons like Stevie Wonder and Paul McCartney. During this period, he also played in various jazz quartets and quintets, including Escape from New York, featuring fellow Tonight Show band members Marvin “Smitty” Smith on drums and Bob Hurst on bass.
As a recording artist, Moore has released albums on prestigious labels such as Landmark (now 32 Jazz), Criss Cross, Concord, Reservoir, and Savoy. He has also contributed as a sideman on numerous acclaimed jazz recordings, notably Kenny Barron’s Invitation. Renowned for his solid, straight-ahead style, Moore commands the stage with an inspiring presence.
In recent years, he has performed with Willie Jones’ quartet at Jazz at Lincoln Center and collaborated with esteemed musicians such as Jeremy Pelt, Lewis Nash, Eric Reed, and Roy McCurdy. In 2024, Moore is set to tour Israel with a quintet, paying tribute to the music of Dexter Gordon.
As part of his UK "homecoming" tour, Moore will be joined by an exceptional rhythm section. With many concerts selling out weeks in advance, jazz fans are encouraged to secure tickets early for the rare chance to witness one of the world’s finest saxophonists in action.

Quentin Collins (trumpet & flugelhorn), Brandon Allen (tenor saxophone), Ross Stanley (Hammond organ), Ian Thomas (drums).
Few musicians can match the depth of experience and legacy of tenor saxophonist Ralph Moore, a towering figure in the jazz world for decades. Born in Brixton, South London, in 1956, Moore was raised in a culturally vibrant environment. His mother, Josephine Wood, was a lifelong dancer and featured in a BBC2 Black Britain documentary.
This dynamic quartet has been thrilling audiences worldwide, gracing renowned stages such as the Monterey Jazz Festival (USA), Ducs des Lombards (France), and Ronnie Scott’s Club (UK). They bring an electrifying tribute to the golden era of the legendary label’s 1960s sound, featuring timeless classics from jazz greats like Art Blakey, Jimmy Smith, Hank Mobley, Joe Henderson, and Herbie Hancock.
QCBA is perhaps best known for their longstanding collaboration with UK soul icon Omar, which culminated in the release of Live at Last in 2022.
Saxophonist Brandon Allen, originally from Perth, Australia, relocated to London in 2000, where he has worked with numerous top-tier artists and ensembles. A leading figure in the UK jazz scene, he also holds the role of Professor of Saxophone at the Guildhall School of Music.
Trumpeter Quentin Collins, a mainstay of the jazz world for over two decades, has performed, toured, and recorded with an impressive roster of internationally acclaimed artists across multiple genres. Both Collins and Allen have been longtime members of Kyle Eastwood’s band (son of Clint Eastwood) and continue to tour extensively.
The quartet’s energy is further driven by the formidable rhythm section of Hammond organ virtuoso Ross Stanley and the outstanding drummer Ian Thomas. Together, they deliver a performance that is as exhilarating as it is captivating.
This concert marks the grand finale of the current season, so be sure to secure your tickets early for an unforgettable night of world-class jazz!
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The Key TheatreEmbankment Road, Peterborough PE1 1EF
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Temporary Closure due to RAAC June 2025 for 16 weeks
The Key Theatre in Peterborough, England is scheduled to close from June, for about four months in 2025 for significant repairs:
ReasonThe discovery of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in the auditorium roof
ScopeThe theater will need a new roof, heating, cooling, and ventilation system, and other upgrades
CostThe project is estimated to cost £2.19 million
TimelineWork on the new roof is expected to begin in June 2025, with the theater reopening in early October
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Key Theatre: telephone01733 207239
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Key Theatre - Parking ChangesBe aware that the Key Theatre Car Parking System has changed so allow extra time for parking and obtaining car parking tickets. On our last visit there were queues of more 20 people wfter the event, waiting in the cold by the ticket machines so they could get exit tickets. Perhaps enquire at the Box-Office to see if this issue has now been resolved.
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Google Maps
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What3Words linkwhat3words.com/https://w3w.co/tailing.threading.trucked
Address, Contacts & Location
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