A Top-Tier Jazz Venue Just Beyond Norfolk — Well Worth the Trip
Towngate Theatre Basildon, The Entrance
The Towngate Theatre Jazz Cafe is yet another newly discovered Jazz Venue. It caught my eye because many of their acts have also performed at Upwell Jazz Club and Peterborough Jazz Club.
The Jazz Events are held monthly on the third Thursday of every month in the Towngate Theatre Cafe. They are mostly lunchtime events which makes the travelling easier for us!
Free Entry - Tables can be booked in advance - Contact the Theatre for more information
Coming up at the next Towngate Theatre Live Jazz Café in Basildon…
Join us for an afternoon of exceptional music with Dom Pipkin & Babu
Dom Pipkin is a renowned British pianist and songwriter celebrated for his mastery of New Orleans piano. Described by Blues in Britain as “one of the world’s greatest exponents” of the style, he has performed at major events including the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and the iconic "Piano Night." His playing draws on the soulful blues and classical flourishes of James Booker, with whom he shares a deep musical kinship.
Pipkin has shared stages with legends such as Allen Toussaint, Dr John, and Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, and is a regular on the European blues and boogie-woogie festival circuit. His band, Dom Pipkin & the Ikos, has wowed audiences at venues like Ronnie Scott’s with a vibrant blend of New Orleans R&B, gospel, and funk.
Beyond live performance, Pipkin is a long-time collaborator with Morcheeba, and during the pandemic streamed over 120 shows from home, leading to his acclaimed solo album C’mon Sunshine. A follow-up live album, Live at the Temple, was released in 2023.
His screen work includes roles in Netflix’s Black Doves and A Thousand Blows, and a recent commercial with Jay Chou. An active educator and contributor to Blues Matters magazine, Pipkin also hosts London’s leading New Orleans jam sessions.
1pm – 3pm | Free Entry
Reserve a table in advance by contacting the theatre for details.
Musicians should use the email address below to inquire about playing here.
Email: towngatelive@gmail.com
Jazz Parking Options
There is no public parking at the Towngate Theatre.
There are ample parking options within a few minutes’ walk from the theatre:
Westgate Shopping Centre Multi-Storey Car Park
Be sure to use the inside, multi-storey car park, as this area has no time limit. The outside Westgate parking area is time-limited. There is no overnight parking, and the car park closes at 10 pm.
Great Oaks Multi-Storey Car Park
Located about a 5-minute walk from the theatre, opposite the police station. This car park also has no time limit on parking.
