SEPTEMBER 2025
7 TRUDGEON’S TRAD JAZZ TROUBADORS
“Bringing the sounds of the good old days back” – the aim of Joseph Trudgeon who leads on guitar and vocals and who started the band as a cross-generational combo bringing old and young generations of jazz musicians together. Enjoy a repertoire of early swing, New Orleans jazz and traditional jazz from the 1920s to 1940s with James Guilford (trumpet), Mike Kennedy (bass), Hugh Roberts (reeds) and Nick Ward (percussion).
14 LAZY RIVER FESTIVAL JAZZ BAND
This “entertaining and versatile” band makes its debut at SJS to play a rich mix of classic jazz standards and possibly the odd novelty number. Founder member Chris Perrin leads the band on clarinet and saxophone, his wife Veronica is on cornet and vocals, and Phil Rutherford, renowned for his superb playing and solid rhythm, on sousaphone. The remaining four musicians need no introduction to SJS audiences: Brian Mellor (banjo & guitar), John Penn (piano), Nick Ward on his authentic 1920s percussion kit, and Richard Leach (trombone). Firm favourites all!
21 CHICAGO TEDDYBEARS SOCIETY JAZZ BAND
Four times winner of SJS’s Band of the Year Award, the “Chicago Teds” perform New Orleans based Dixieland jazz at its infectious foot-tapping best & always laced with good humour. The all-star line-up features Brian Singleton on drums, Rae Owens (banjo/guitar/ukulele), John Padfield (reeds), Jim Lucas (trumpet & baritone), Andy MacKenzie (trombone) & Deano Revera on string bass.
NOTE: Stafford Jazz Society’s ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING will follow this concert at 2-45pm.
28 THE HARLEM JAZZ ORCHESTRA
A professional 13-piece ensemble drawn from across central England and specialising in authentic jazz classics from the late 1920s to the early 1930s. Directed and arranged by Bob Hunt on lead trombone the orchestra features “Magic” Mike Henry (lead cornet), Wil Robinson (trumpet), Charlie Manning (trumpet), Graham Woodhouse (valve & slide trombone), Zoltan Sagi (lead reeds section), Richard Exall (reeds), Michael Kilpatrick (clarinet, alto sax & baritone sax), Art Toper (piano), John Irwin (banjo/guitar), Tomas Pedersen (string bass), Nick Ward (drums) and Sarah Spencer (vocals).
OCTOBER 2025
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12 PAULA JACKMAN’S JAZZ MASTERS
Dixieland jazz with roots in New Orleans through to the trad-boom of the late 1950s, early 1960s. Paula leads on reeds with Ian Bateman (trombone) and Mike “Magic” Henry (cornet). “Baby” Jools Aldridge is on drums, Hugh Crozier (piano) and “Lord” Marc Easener (sousaphone). Masters of their instruments all!
NOTE: This band is named as a tribute to Paula’s late husband, Brian Masters – one of Britain’s finest jazz banjoists. “There is no banjo in the band because Brian was irreplaceable.”
19 MATT PALMER’S RHYTHMIC REEDS
A new, exciting, reeds duo: Phil Shotton makes his SJS debut and with a very impressive reputation preceding him. He joins the ever-popular Matt Palmer in a pairing that first played together at the Nottingham Rhythm Club, a performance that was reportedly a huge success. And there’s an equally talented rhythm section with Roger Browne on piano, Rae Owens, double bass, and Nick Ward on his vintage percussion.
26 SAVANNAH JAZZ BAND
SJS 45th Anniversary Concert with Brolly Parade
There’s never a shortage of fun, excitement and great foot-tapping jazz from the Savannah. This Yorkshire-based band plays New Orleans jazz with a real bounce and kick to it. The front line is led by Richard Church (trumpet) with Brian “Sam” Ellis (trombone & piano) and Roger Bird (reeds). Chris Pendlebury is on drums, Tony Pollitt (bass) and Chris Marney (banjo) complete the rhythm section.
NOVEMBER 2025
2 KEITH LITTLE’S RED HOT & BLUE
Following his SJS debut with a mainstream combo last season, top jazz pianist Keith returns with a 4-piece band playing classic traditional numbers and featuring the highly acclaimed Hungarian reeds player Zoltan Sagi on clarinet and saxophone. Rachel Hayward is on guitar and Bill Lynn plays double bass. A reported big hit at this year’s Upton Jazz Festival, we look forward to this quartet’s first SJS concert.
9 STICKY WICKET’S SWINGTET
featuring CHRIS GUMBLEY
Alan “Sticky” Wicket, widely regarded as UK’s No.1 swing drummer and earning the title of “drummer extraordinaire” for his entertaining “drumnastic” solos, makes a welcome return to SJS with his critically acclaimed Swingtet. Also expected are Jim Wynne (piano), Nick Wiltshire (bass), Sarah Cartwright (vocals) and, as a special guest, Stafford’s very own top reedsman and jazz educator, Chris Gumbley (saxophone & clarinet). Music from the “Swinging ‘40s”.
16 SWING 25
Music of the Parisian cafés. Making their third SJS appearance now as firm annual favourites. Julian Gregory plays fiddle, Matthew Compton, accordion, with Paul Hartley on guitar, Ken Marley will be on bass with Paul Turner, the percussionist of the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra on drums. Julian is critically acclaimed as one of the UK’s top fiddle players “combining an effortless creative freedom with tremendous rhythmic drive”. Nobody who has heard him would disagree.
23 KEVIN GRENFELL’S JAZZ FALCONS
Super showman Kevin’s recently formed 6-piece traditional jazz band rapidly high flying on the UK jazz scene. Gethin Liddington (trumpet & vocals) and John Hallam (reeds) join trombonist and vocalist Kevin in the front line. Vic Partridge is on banjo, guitar and vocals, Simon Smith plays double bass and Steve Street is on drums. Top quality entertainment assured. Could get a raptor-ous* reception!
*NOTE: For the non-bird-watchers, a raptor is any bird of prey.
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DECEMBER 2025
7 SARAH SPENCER’S TRANSATLANTIC BAND
featuring Jesper Capion Larsen (Denmark)
An all-star band led by Sarah Spencer who has been critically acclaimed as “the hottest tenor saxophonist on the jazz scene today”. Rob Pearce is on trombone, “Magic” Mike Henry (cornet), “Lord” Jim Swinnerton (string bass), Rachel Hayward (banjo/guitar) Graham Smith (drums) and featuring star clarinettist from Denmark, the truly wonderful Jesper Capion Larsen.
14 RICHARD LEACH’S STREET BAND
A band packed with familiar, star-studded names. Richard leads on trombone and is joined in the front line by Tony Pipkin (cornet & trumpet) and Zoltan Sagi (clarinet & alto sax). A rhythm section with Dave Deakin (sousaphone), Mark Challinor (banjo & ukulele) and Nick Ward (vintage percussion). The Street Band, always popular, is guaranteed both to excite and to entertain.
21 WABASH JAZZMEN featuring Nick Ward
Christmas Concert with Brolly Parade
Our Christmas “bash” this year is fittingly with the Wabash! Mark Challinor leads on banjo, guitar & ukulele with Mike Hayler (reeds) Tony Pipkin (cornet), Richard Leach (trombone), Richard Vernon (bass) and special guest Nick Ward on vintage percussion. Foot-tapping New Orleans jazz rooted in the revivalist styles of Ken Colyer and early Chris Barber. It all adds up to a cracker of a festive concert in prospect!
28 NO CONCERT
JANUARY 2026
4 WARREN JAMES & HIS LONESOME TRAVELLERS
“Purveyors of fine roots music including jazz, blues, skiffle and gospel“. That’s what it says on the label and to provide it are some truly stellar minstrels: Warren “Lonnie” James on guitar & banjo, “Baby” Jools Aldridge on drums, “Lord” Jim Swinnerton “the ace on the bass”, Mike Owen, in hat and on trombone and Malcolm Thorne – who so impressed us on his SJS debut last season – on guitar. “Travellers” for sure, having such a very busy schedule; but they won’t feel “lonesome” at Stafford!
11 DAVE HARMER’S NEW ORLEANS HOTSHOTS
A Leicester based traditional New Orleans style band with a wide and varied repertoire. First formed in 1993 and still led by founder member Dave Harmer on trombone, with Dave Leithead (trumpet) & Kelvin Smith (clarinet) completing the front line. The rhythm section features Al Harris (double bass), Keith Chaplin (drums) & highly acclaimed ragtime specialist Joe Nutman on piano keyboard.
18 SARAH SPENCER’S SAX ‘N’ BONE BAND
Making their second appearance at SJS, a band created and powerfully led by top tenor saxophonist Sarah Spencer. Hungarian Zoltan Sagi (ex Chris Barber Band) (alto saxophone) and Mike Owen (trombone) join Sarah in the front line whilst “Lord” Jim Swinnerton (bass), Graham Smith (drums) and Thomas “Spats” Langham (banjo/guitar) form an equally supporting rhythm section.
25 GRAHAM SMITH’S “SHADES OF JAZZ”
A debut appearance for an all-star band comprised of some of the biggest names on the UK jazz circuit and beyond. Drummer Graham Smith leads with a front line of Gary Wood (trumpet & vocals), John Hallam (reeds) and Martin Veasey (trombone). Simon Smith (string bass) and Rich Hughes (keyboard) complete the stellar line-up.
FEBRUARY 2026
1 FRET & FIDDLE
Featuring Sally Minchin on violin & vocals, husband Shankara Andy Bole (guitar), Richard Hughes (piano), Simon Smith (string bass) & Steve Street on drums, this popular award-winning band is greatly influenced by their mutual enthusiasm for the iconic music of the Hot Club de France, therefore expect strong and authentic echoes of those gypsy jazz legends Stephane Grappelli and Django Reinhardt.
8 JAKE LEG JUG BAND
A hugely popular annual concert bringing authentic, nostalgic sounds of America in the 1920s/1930s era and displaying expert instrumental virtuosity to superb musical arrangements laced with good humour. Duncan Wilcox leads on double bass, Warren “Lonnie” James plays guitar & banjo, Danny Blyth is on clarinet, mandolin, harmonica and bass clarinet, Mark Bonner, trumpet and fiddle and Mike Owen on trombone. Complete entertainment.
15 “BABY” JOOLS’ JAZZAHOLICS
“Undoubtedly the best jazz band around today” – The Jazz Review. “Baby” Jools Aldridge presents his all-star jazz and blues line-up, which will take the audience on a musical journey to New Orleans and back – without having to board a flight. Jools has toured with the greatest of British jazz legends and for the last 15 years has been the power house drummer behind his own band. The line-up may vary from concert to concert but what is always guaranteed is an array of top class musicians and a performance that always leaves the audience wanting more.
22 MATT PALMER’S GATSBY GO-GETTERS
Classic jazz with all the sophistication and feel of the 1920s/1930s, evoking the fun and frivolity of that bygone era and with band hats to match! Matt leads the Go-Getters on clarinet, saxophones and vocals with Joe Nutman on ragtime piano, Dave Leithead on trumpet, Al Harris on string bass and vocals and Nick Ward on his full range of vintage percussion.
MARCH 2026
1
8 REGENERATION BIG BAND
A debut SJS appearance for this big band that brings together 17 of the North West’s finest big band and jazz musicians and is led by Nigel Ashworth who formerly toured with the famous Syd Lawrence Orchestra for a decade. Expect “amazing” vocals by Lydia Rae and enjoy bebop and swing music of the 1940’s and 1950’s. The Director of the Wigan International Jazz Festival writes: “…sounds like a big band should sound”.
15 ANDY LEGGETT’S CENTENARY SERENADERS
A band founded and led by Andy Leggett, top reedsman and renowned exponent of the Bechet style. Gethin Liddington leads the front line on trumpet with Dave Deakin (trombone) and a rhythm section of Rachel Hayward (guitar & banjo) Joe Trudgeon (string bass & vocals) & Dave Andrews (drums). Music from the classic jazz repertoire.
22 RICHARD HUGHES’ TRIO
“FUGUE & GROOVE” featuring Amy Roberts
SJS is familiar with the stellar rhythm section of Richard Hughes (keyboard), Steve Street (drums) and Simon Smith ((bass). Add the multi-award-winning & charismatic Amy Roberts (formerly of the Big Chris Barber Band) on saxophones & flutes and the result is an exciting combo which combines both jazz and classical elements. Something familiar, something new – swinging jazz and unique twists on hits from the classical repertoire. A magically melodic musical mix!
29 GOLDEN EAGLE JAZZ BAND
The mission of this band is “to play New Orleans jazz in the way it was meant to be played, that is, with a powerful and melodic front line and a hard-driving rhythm section”. Kevin Scott leads on tenor banjo, and Alan Cresswell (clarinet), Ray Bowden (drums), Robin Woolhams (trumpet), Simon Wyld (trombone) & John Sirett on double bass complete the combo. Humorous, entertaining, and excellent musicians all.
APRIL 2026
5 KEVIN GRENFELL’S JAZZ GIANTS
featuring Paul Harrison
Heralded in the European jazz press as a “refreshing, world class player”, renowned British-born but Denmark based reeds player Paul Harrison makes his eagerly awaited annual visit to the UK including SJS. Kevin Grenfell is on trombone & trumpet, Soren Stausbol, also from Denmark on piano & vocals, Simon Smith (double bass) and “Baby” Jools Aldridge (drums). A great opportunity to see and to hear a virtuoso international performer in an all-star band.
12 JANE WILLIAMS’ JAZZ QUINTET
featuring Andy Leggett
Originally from Cardigan in West Wales and now residing in Cardiff, Jane has been captivating audiences with her versatile musical talents since she was 15. Her journey in music has seen her playing with various bands and she also performed on piano on the recent Channel 4 TV series “The Piano”. She returns to SJS with vocals and ukulele to lead her Jazz Quintet, namely, guitarist Mike Frost, Bill Lynn on double bass, Greg Evans on drums and the greatly admired Andy Leggett on a full range of reeds. Jazz music of top quality from the “Land of Song”.
19 DEBBIE ARTHURS’ JAZZ QUINTET
Those who fondly remember The Charleston Chasers will recall its leader, vocalist and then, percussionist, Debbie Arthurs, of whom it has been written: “a tasteful, swinging evocation of the music of the 1920s / 30s by one of its leading exponents”. Now, making her debut at SJS – on this occasion on saxophone and vocals – she is joined by Dave Deakin on trombone, Keith Little on piano, Rachel Haywood on guitar and Malcolm Sked on bass.
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MAY 2026
3 HUGH CROZIER’S INCOMPARABLES
Named after Jelly Roll Morton’s Incomparables, Hugh Crozier, – one of the best exponents of that style of piano playing and a brilliant “boogie” player – brings and leads a quintet of top quality musicians playing the music of Morton, the Hot 5 and other music of that legendary era. “Magic” Mike Henry leads the front line on cornet, Mark Aston plays trombone and Paula Jackman is on reeds. “Lord” Jim Swinnerton completes the combo on double bass.
10 SLIDE BY SLIDE
featuring Kevin Grenfell & Richard Leach
Two of the UK jazz circuit’s very best trombonists, side by side, with Kevin adding some fine trumpet playing and featuring Simon Smith (string bass), Richard Hughes (piano), and Steve Street (drums). Expect a diverse repertoire from show songs & ballads to jazz of varying styles together with some contemporary tunes. One of the most entertaining of bands and a firm SJS favourite.
17 ORIGINAL PANAMA JAZZ BAND
A Wirral based Dixieland/Chicago style jazz band, first established in Wallasey in 1954 and now led by Jon Critchley on trumpet, with John Padfield (reeds). Andrew MacKenzie (trombone), Isabel Toner (string bass), Bill Buck on drums and Peter “Pedro” Robinson on guitar. Expect a broad and entertaining repertoire of both classical jazz and contemporary tunes.
24 THREE BEARS JAZZ BAND
Two reeds-playing superstars, the multi-award winning Amy Roberts and reeds doyen John Hallam, join Tom Kincaid, the Stockport-based jazz pianist with a truly international reputation. Highly acclaimed drummer Jack Cotterill is in the engine room and the “ace on the bass” SJS favourite “Lord” Jim Swinnerton of Garstang completes the combo. Five-star musicians all!
31 “BABY” JOOLS’ JAZZAHOLICS
Our regularly chosen band to bring the curtain down on our season of concerts with a real New Orleans bounce and kick. Led by power-house drummer “Baby” Jools Aldridge, expect an all-star line-up of musicians representing the very best from UK and Europe. Join us for what will be, without doubt, a great celebration of our wonderful music and a fitting finale.