Upwell Jazz Club - History
The Upwell Jazz Club has been thriving for approximately twenty-five years. Founded by Nigel Smith, a talented session musician specializing in drums and percussion, it began as a showcase for up-and-coming jazz artists. Over the years, it has evolved into a stage for world-class jazz musicians. The club's name originates from Nigel's hometown, Upwell.
Throughout its history, the club has been hosted in various venues. It started at Upwell Village Hall, moved to Three Holes Village Hall, and finally found its current home at Christchurch Village Hall.
Until recently, the jazz sessions were held monthly. The events now take place approximately four times a year – see here for details.
Take a moment to watch a short video produced by Nigel during the club's golden era.
🥁 Swingin’ Through the Towns: Local Jazz Line-Up
| Artist | Date | Time | Venue | Price | Notes | More info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Special Guests Glynis Kester-Page & Richard Dawson | Mon 8th Dec | Music from 19:00 to 22:00 | Watlington Sports and Social Club PE33 0HE | £5 CASH on the door | Details | |
| Jazz Signs - Quintet plus vocals | Tue 9th Dec | Music begins at 19:30 | Swaffham Jazz Club, Swaffham PE37 7DD | £10 CASH on the door | Details | |
| The Ivan Garford Quartet | Sat 13th Dec | Music begins at 19:30 | March Library, City Rd, March, PE15 9LT | £10 CASH on the door | under 16's free | Details |
| Georgia Mancio Quartet | Sat 13th Dec | Music from 20:00 | The Key Theatre, Peterborough PE1 1EF | £23 advanced booking advised | Details | |
| The Melody Brooker Band | Sat 20th Dec | Music from 19:00 | The Woolpack, Wisbech, United Kingdom, PE14 7RR | Call 01945 881097 to book your table | Table booking essential | Details |
| Picante featuring Derek Nash | Sat 17th Jan | Music from 20:00 | The Key Theatre, Peterborough PE1 1EF | £24 advanced booking advised | Details | |
| Duke Ellington/Ella Fitzgerald Songbook 15 piece band 🎷🎺🎶🎵🎤🎼🎹🥁 |
Sun 15th Feb | Music from 19:00 | NEW THEATRE, Broadway, Peterborough | £28 advanced booking advised | LOCATION & DATE RESCHEDULED! | Details |
| Derek Scurll & Ivan Garford | Sun 29th Mar | Music from 12:30 to 14:45 | Upwell Jazz Club, Christchurch Community Centre PE14 9LL | £15 CASH on the door | under 16's free | Details |
| The Chris Watson Band | Sun 28th Jun | Music from 12:30 to 14:45 | Upwell Jazz Club, Christchurch Community Centre PE14 9LL | £15 CASH on the door | under 16's free | Details |
Special Guests Glynis Kester-Page & Richard Dawson
Date: Mon 8th Dec
Time: Music from 19:00 to 22:00
Venue: Watlington Sports and Social Club PE33 0HE
Price: £5 CASH on the door
Full detailsJazz Signs - Quintet plus vocals
Date: Tue 9th Dec
Time: Music begins at 19:30
Venue: Swaffham Jazz Club, Swaffham PE37 7DD
Price: £10 CASH on the door
Full detailsThe Ivan Garford Quartet
Date: Sat 13th Dec
Time: Music begins at 19:30
Venue: March Library, City Rd, March, PE15 9LT
Price: £10 CASH on the door
Notes: under 16's free
Full detailsGeorgia Mancio Quartet
Date: Sat 13th Dec
Time: Music from 20:00
Venue: The Key Theatre, Peterborough PE1 1EF
Price: £23 advanced booking advised
Full detailsThe Melody Brooker Band
Date: Sat 20th Dec
Time: Music from 19:00
Venue: The Woolpack, Wisbech, United Kingdom, PE14 7RR
Price: Call 01945 881097 to book your table
Notes: Table booking essential
Full detailsPicante featuring Derek Nash
Date: Sat 17th Jan
Time: Music from 20:00
Venue: The Key Theatre, Peterborough PE1 1EF
Price: £24 advanced booking advised
Full detailsDuke Ellington/Ella Fitzgerald Songbook
15 piece band 🎷🎺🎶🎵🎤🎼🎹🥁
Date: Sun 15th Feb
Time: Music from 19:00
Venue: NEW THEATRE, Broadway, Peterborough
Price: £28 advanced booking advised
Notes: LOCATION & DATE RESCHEDULED!
Full detailsDerek Scurll & Ivan Garford
Date: Sun 29th Mar
Time: Music from 12:30 to 14:45
Venue: Upwell Jazz Club, Christchurch Community Centre PE14 9LL
Price: £15 CASH on the door
Notes: under 16's free
Full detailsThe Chris Watson Band
Date: Sun 28th Jun
Time: Music from 12:30 to 14:45
Venue: Upwell Jazz Club, Christchurch Community Centre PE14 9LL
Price: £15 CASH on the door
Notes: under 16's free
Full details🎷 Nearby Jazz, Same Great Vibes
There are a few other hidden jazz gems near our club. Why not check them out — maybe we’ll see you there!
#LocalJazzGems #UpwellJazzClub #LiveMusic #JazzNight #WorldClassJazz #JazzPerformance #JazzQuintet #LiveJazzExperience #MusicConnection #JazzLovers