Jazz Gigs in Bristol

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Bristol's Jazz Scene

There are two distinct sides to Bristol's jazz scene and in the middle a line that's rarely crossed...

Jazz in Bristol's Large Venues
On one side are the (usually larger) international jazz events, typically at venues like Colston Hall and St Georges. These are great venues to see contemporary jazz in Bristol with recent (2009 - 2010) highlights including Portico Quartet, Cinematic Orchestra and the Neil Cowley Trio. Live jazz in these Bristol venues has more of a concert feel, almost always seated and usually around the £15 mark depending on the seats. Bristol is fortunate to be a key stop over in most UK jazz tours and it is always worth keeping an eye on who's playing when and where and get jazz tickets early for decent seats.

Jazz in Bristol's Small Venues
The otherside of Bristol's live jazz scene couldn't be more different. Bristol is home to some awesome jazz musicians, many of international standard playing international gigs. What's great about Bristol is you can often catch these artists while they're at home often for free. Notable examples include Daisy Palmer (drummer - Goldfrapp), James Bateman (sax - Badbone & Co, Ronnie Scotts) and James Morton (sax - Pee Wee Ellis, The Herbaliser). Unlike the large tours at the bigger venues jazz gigs in Bristol pubs are more organic and unpredictable. With so many quality musicians playing in so many different bands or improvising with different artists, live jazz in Bristol is constantly evolving. When looking for whats on jazz in Bristol it's often more important to consider which individual musicians are playing where, rather than browsing by band or headliner. At live music events in Bristol pubs for the best views you'll need to stand but sometimes tables if you're lucky enough to get one.. ***** Where to see live jazz in Bristol
The whats on listings to the left show all upcoming jazz gigs in Bristol but it's still worth mentioning some consistent venues. Always check whats on at the Coronation Tap on Tuesdays and Sundays, (usually jazz or blues, always free). Other key jazz venues in Bristol include the Old Duke (live music every night, always free) and the Grain Barge (gigs every Friday, around £3).

We also have whats on info and listings for gypsy jazz, which we have decided to keep separate.

Is there a new generation of jazz?

Many people who lived through the golden era of jazz will tell you it's dead. But many international publications say jazz is having a new dawn in the UK and that the genre is evolving because of multiculturalism. Some of this can be seen in the Bristol jazz scene, the non-purist outlook of Worm Disco Club and Bristol Jazz and Blues Fest. With a new generation of jazz fans, comes a new outlook on jazz - Bristol has always had young and adventurous music makers from it’s local community and insurgent student population. Will Bristol be the new centre of a new kind of jazz in the UK? Only time will tell.

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Our recent jazz recommendations

Sell out warning! Early bets on the beatdown of the year, 2:1 on Sunami to pummel all contenders with their no-it’s-not-a-joke-anymore bada$$ bully crossover hxc. You’ve seen the news, so expect a bleeding lip or two (and don’t wear that fresh white tee). Fans of Terror, First Blood God’s Hate etc – you know the drill! Sunami at Shredenhams.

Sell out warning! The Brownswood polymath / scene GOAT lends her exuberant electro-jazz sensibilities to the Miles canon in a supreme act of love. Emma pushes the King of Cool's electric era into deeper fusion territory with the 21st century wisdom of broken beat and footwork, cos we all know he was a junglist born too soon. A bonafide life-affirmer for all the Brainfeeders out there... Dear Miles – A Love Letter at Strange Brew.

Sell out warning! Harakiri are the only band you need on your post-black sky chariot riding mix. Triumphant melody barely disguising soul-wrenching trauma, blistering blast-beats; BM purists beware, this is pure catharsis stitched with post-rock, post-hardcore, grunge and skramz DNA. With Denmark's impossibly mournful Sunken opening things up, ethereal awakenings await disciples of: Alcest, Deafheaven, Drudkh, WitTR. Harakiri for the Sky & Sunken at Strange Brew.

Sell out warning! You’ve never heard pipes like this! Queer futurism from visionary bagpiper Malin Lewis, playing self-made instruments and the world’s first wooden Lindsay Chanter. Malin channels their pipes and drones to form a layered, shifting sonic language that lives between binaries. Malin Lewis at The Jam Jar.

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What our editors say

“The J.B.'s recordings became essential to rare groove, acid jazz and funk scenes, while their unmistakable rhythms and horn breaks were sampled extensively by hip-hop pioneers including Public Enemy, Eric B. & Rakim and De La Soul, amongst many others.”
From: Fred Wesley & The New JB’s

“This isn’t your average seasonal soirée, mind. We’re bringing velvet brass, cheeky rhythms and a setlist packed with your favourite Christmas big band classics, plus a few surprises along the way. Expect the unexpected, because with the Sisters, anything can happen.”
From: Sisters of Swing - A Christmas Cracker

“Live, it becomes a full five-piece band, somewhere between a late-night club set and a live jazz show. They've played across New Zealand, Australia and the UK, including a Late Late Electronic set at Ronnie Scott's. They've also had support from BBC Introducing, NTS, Soho Radio and Somewhere Soul.”
From: Willy Delphia - All In Tour

“Open to all musicians and music lovers alike. Want to play? Get down early to add your name and tune to the list. Whether you're sitting in or just soaking up the atmosphere, everyone is welcome for a great night of live jazz.”
From: East Bristol Jazz Club - Monthly Jam

“Join us at our new home The Ill Repute as we welcome a man who needs no introduction. Expect blistering bebop, heartbreaking ballads and hard-swinging goodtimes all round. Jonny will join the houseband to play a set of Jazz standards folllowed by a Jam session. Get down early to secure a table, entry is free, £5 suggested donation!”
From: Jonny Bruce + Jam Session