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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ivan Garford and Derek Scurll | Tue 28th Oct | Music from 13:00 | St Johns Church, Peterborough PE1 1XB | Voluntary contribution | Open from noon for light refreshments | Details |
| Freddie plays Freddie Hubbard | Thu 30th Oct | Music from 19:30 | The Corn Hall, Diss IP22 4LB | £18 - advanced booking advised | Details | |
| Matt Wates Sextet | Sun 9th Nov | Music from 20:00 | The Key Theatre, Peterborough PE1 1EF | £27 advanced booking advised | Details | |
| The Melody Brooker Band | Mon 10th Nov | Music from 19:00 to 22:00 | Watlington Sports and Social Club PE33 0HE | £5 CASH on the door | Details | |
| The Ryan McCaffrey Quartet | Tue 11th Nov | Music begins at 19:30 | Swaffham Jazz Club, Swaffham PE37 7DD | £10 CASH on the door | Details | |
| Sean Fyfe Trio; Matt Fishwick & Luke Fowler | Thu 20th Nov | Music from 13:00 | Towngate Theatre, Basildon SS14 1DL | Voluntary contribution | Open from noon for light refreshments | Details |
| ⭐️ Laurie Jacobs,Alex Moore,Tim Lapthorn,Laurence Evans & Dave Jackson | Fri 21st Nov | Music from 20:00 | The Ship Inn, West St. Oundle, PE8 4EF | Free entry, hat goes round 🎩 | Good food is available at the bar | Details |
| The Clark Tracey Jazz Champions | Sun 23rd Nov | Music from 12:30 to 14:45 | Upwell Jazz Club, Christchurch Community Centre PE14 9LL | £15 CASH on the door | Details | |
| Christmas Crooners | Thu 4th Dec | Music from 19:30 | The Corn Hall, Diss IP22 4LB | £15 - advanced booking advised | Details | |
| A Swinging Christmas with The Chris Ingham Quintet featuring Joanna Eden | Fri 5th Dec | Music from 19:30 | The Corn Hall, Diss IP22 4LB | £22 - advanced booking advised | Details | |
| 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 | |
| Artist announcment coming soon | Tue 9th Dec | Music begins at 19:30 | Swaffham Jazz Club, Swaffham PE37 7DD | £10 CASH on the door | Details | |
| Georgia Mancio Quartet | Sat 13th Dec | Music from 20:00 | The Key Theatre, Peterborough PE1 1EF | £23 advanced booking advised | 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 | Sat 21st Feb | Music from 20:00 | The Key Theatre, Peterborough PE1 1EF | £24 advanced booking advised | Details |
Ivan Garford and Derek Scurll
Date: Tue 28th Oct
Time: Music from 13:00
Venue: St Johns Church, Peterborough PE1 1XB
Price: Voluntary contribution
Notes: Open from noon for light refreshments
Full detailsFreddie plays Freddie Hubbard
Date: Thu 30th Oct
Time: Music from 19:30
Venue: The Corn Hall, Diss IP22 4LB
Price: £18 - advanced booking advised
Full detailsMatt Wates Sextet
Date: Sun 9th Nov
Time: Music from 20:00
Venue: The Key Theatre, Peterborough PE1 1EF
Price: £27 advanced booking advised
Full detailsThe Melody Brooker Band
Date: Mon 10th Nov
Time: Music from 19:00 to 22:00
Venue: Watlington Sports and Social Club PE33 0HE
Price: £5 CASH on the door
Full detailsThe Ryan McCaffrey Quartet
Date: Tue 11th Nov
Time: Music begins at 19:30
Venue: Swaffham Jazz Club, Swaffham PE37 7DD
Price: £10 CASH on the door
Full detailsSean Fyfe Trio; Matt Fishwick & Luke Fowler
Date: Thu 20th Nov
Time: Music from 13:00
Venue: Towngate Theatre, Basildon SS14 1DL
Price: Voluntary contribution
Notes: Open from noon for light refreshments
Full details⭐️ Laurie Jacobs,Alex Moore,Tim Lapthorn,Laurence Evans & Dave Jackson
Date: Fri 21st Nov
Time: Music from 20:00
Venue: The Ship Inn, West St. Oundle, PE8 4EF
Price: Free entry, hat goes round 🎩
Notes: Good food is available at the bar
Full detailsThe Clark Tracey Jazz Champions
Date: Sun 23rd Nov
Time: Music from 12:30 to 14:45
Venue: Upwell Jazz Club, Christchurch Community Centre PE14 9LL
Price: £15 CASH on the door
Full detailsChristmas Crooners
Date: Thu 4th Dec
Time: Music from 19:30
Venue: The Corn Hall, Diss IP22 4LB
Price: £15 - advanced booking advised
Full detailsA Swinging Christmas with The Chris Ingham Quintet featuring Joanna Eden
Date: Fri 5th Dec
Time: Music from 19:30
Venue: The Corn Hall, Diss IP22 4LB
Price: £22 - advanced booking advised
Full detailsSpecial 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 detailsArtist announcment coming soon
Date: Tue 9th Dec
Time: Music begins at 19:30
Venue: Swaffham Jazz Club, Swaffham PE37 7DD
Price: £10 CASH on the door
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 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
Date: Sat 21st Feb
Time: Music from 20:00
Venue: The Key Theatre, Peterborough PE1 1EF
Price: £24 advanced booking advised
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!
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