Tickets: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/the-be-bop-club

Andy Hague - trumpet, Dan Newberry - tenor sax, Raph Clarkson - trombone, Jim Blomfield - piano, Riaan Vosloo - bass, Ryan Thrupp - drums.

Last year's Christmas Special was such fun we thought we'd do it again, but with a few differences - alto sax player Luke Annesley who performed last year is off with the John Wilson Orchestra, providing an opportunity to invite the remarkable trombonist Raph Clarkson to step in.

For much of the 1970s and 80s Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers featured a trumpet, alto sax and tenor sax front-line, but prior to that in the mid to late 1960s the band included either Freddie Hubbard or Lee Morgan on trumpet, Wayne Shorter on tenor sax and Curtis Fuller on trombone, so this year we're attempting to recreate the sound of the band from this period.

Trumpeter Andy Hague has been presenting occasional sextet gigs under the Text Messengers name for a number of years, but the nod to Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers has more been due to the three horns front line rather than the repertoire. However, Andy has now amassed sufficient arrangements actually performed by the Jazz Messengers that the band can now present a full programme of Jazz Messengers classics, covering several eras of Art Blakey's legendary group with compositions by Benny Golson, Bobby Timmons, Wayne Shorter and Bobby Watson.

Tenor saxophonist Dan Newberry has become a favourite of Bristol audiences in recent years with his hard blowing yet melodic style. He is now living here having completed his Masters at the Royal Welsh College in Cardiff. Dan has recently been playing with epic funk band Hungry Hungry Hippos alongside trumpeter Gary Alesbrook and guitarist Alex Hutchings.

Trombonist Raph Clarkson moved to Bristol a few years ago, and has had a great impact on the city's jazz scene, working frequently in projects alongside bassist Riaan Vosloo. An acclaimed composer and arranger, Raph has been an integral part of the UK jazz scene for two decades, gaining recognition for adventurous album releases such as Soldiering On, Resolute, and This Is How We Grow. Clarkson’s writing for the exciting 15-piece orchestra Dissolute Society draws on many genres, from jazz to progressive rock to classical music, but is ultimately defined by the artist’s strength of character and imagination.

Pianist Jim Blomfield is of course one of the mainstays of Bristol's jazz scene. He has backed countless big name guest soloists and released two albums of his own music which blend jazz with electronica and contemporary music influences. He is also well known as one of the UK's finest salsa pianists and appears in many Latin ensembles, including recently touring with Cuban band Asere.

Bassist Riaan Vosloo recently gained a doctorate, and is well known as a performer, composer, producer and educator. He has composed music for TV and films and has production credits on albums by Jamie Cullum and Gregory Porter. He is currently course leader for the MA in Popular Music Practice at BIMM Bristol, and has previously taught at Birmingham Conservatoire.

Drummer Ryan Thrupp recently graduated with a First from the Royal Welsh College jazz degree course and besides his jazz activities plays with funky festival favourites Cut Capers and appeared on live BBC TV from Glastonbury 2023 with afro-beat balafon player N’famady Kouyaté.

Entry requirements: no age restrictions (under 18s to be accompanied by an adult over 21yrs, 1:1 ratio) — Read more — Read less