Guildford Jazz - Programme for October 2026.

Monday, August 31, 2026

Mick Thomas has forwarded details of forthcoming events at Guildford Jazz. Performers include Nicolas Meier, Martin Shaw, Five Way Split, Nigel Price, Libor Šmoldas. Fully detailed listings attached.

Mick Thomas writes;

Nicolas Meier World Group Sextet at Guildford Jazz, The Stoke Inn, Guildford,
Surrey
Date: Friday, October 2, 2026
More details
Nicolas Meier Sextet
Friday 2 October from 20.00 to 22.00 (doors open 19.00) at the Stoke Inn, Stoke Road Rd, Guildford GU1 4JN
This closing event of the Guildford Jazz & Soul Festival from guitarist Nicolas Meier’s Sextet includes the official launch of their latest album “Elysian Drift”, awarded ‘Editor’s Choice’ in September’s Jazzwise magazine. Featuring vocalist Randolph Matthews, violinist Richard Jones, percussionist Demi Garcia Sabat, pianist Alex Hutton and electric bassist Paul Michael.
Meier’s unique style of playing, incorporating jazz, classical and Turkish influences, came to the attention of Jeff Beck, who asked Nic to join his band for 3 world tours. For more details and to book tickets visit 
https://www.guildfordjazz.org.uk

Martin Shaw at Guildford Jazz, The Guildford Institute, Guildford, Surrey
Date: Monday, October 5, 2026
More details
Martin Shaw
Monday 5 October from 14.00 to 15.00 (doors open for lunch at 12.00) at the Guildford Institute, Ward St, Guildford GU1 4LH
Trumpeter Martin Shaw is one of our finest and most versatile jazz musicians, appearing in a wide range of musical settings from big bands to small ensembles, and playing everything from cutting-edge jazz to contemporary pop and classical music. He has also recorded with some of the biggest pop acts‚ including Sting, Jamiroquai and Natalie Cole. With the brilliant Robin Aspland, whose career includes six years as Musical Director for Van Morrison, on piano and Marianne Windham on bass.
For more details and to book tickets visit
 https://www.guildfordjazz.org.uk

Five-Way Split at Guildford Jazz, The Guildford Pavilion, Guildford, Surrey
Date: Thursday, October 8, 2026
More details
Five-Way Split
Thursday 8 October from 20.00 to 22.15 (doors open 19.00) at the Guildford Pavilion, Woodbridge Rd, Guildford GU1 4RP
Five-Way Split features some of the finest jazz musicians in the UK. Fronted by renowned trumpet star Quentin Collins and Greek saxophone phenomenon Vasilis Xenopoulos, the rhythm section features inspirational pianist Rob Barron, virtuosic bassist Matyas Hofecker and dynamic drummer Matt Home.
Inspired by classic bop outfits such as Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers the band have created exciting and innovative contemporary bop- based music, which you can hear on their two critically acclaimed albums or, better still, at this live concert.
For more details and to book tickets visit 
https://www.guildfordjazz.org.uk

Price-Smoldas Quartet at Guildford Jazz, The Guildford Pavilion, Guildford, Surrey
Date: Wednesday, October 28, 2026
More details
Price-Smoldas Quartet
Wednesday 28 October from 20.00 to 22.15 (doors open 19.00) at the Guildford Pavilion, Woodbridge Rd, Guildford GU1 4RP
With their irrepressible will to play ‘no nonsense’ jazz, tinged with blues and soul, these two guitarists clicked immediately on first meeting. Prague-based jazz
guitarist Libor Šmoldas has worked and recorded with a range of international stars and released eight albums as a leader while multi-award-winning and world- class jazz guitarist Nigel Price has played on more than 60 albums including 10 as a leader and 5 with James Taylor’s band. With Marianne Windham on bass and Theo Hayhurst on drums.
For more details and to book tickets visit
 https://www.guildfordjazz.org.uk