Sheffield Jazz - Autumn 2025 Season
Monday, September 08, 2025
Roy Saxby of Sheffield Jazz has forwarded details of the organisation's programme for October and November 2025. Events take place at various venues around the city. Fully detailed listings attached.
Roy Saxby writes;
Our first gig of the season at the Crookes Social Club features James Allsopp’s Quartet playing the music of the legendary Stan Getz. We follow this with a double bill at the Crucible Theatre with The Pocket Ellington, a 7 piece band featuring Alan Barnes & Dave Green, followed by vocalist Vimala Rowe’s quartet. The next three gigs are at Crookes Social Club & feature saxophone led bands; Josephine Davies’ Satori, Harben Kay’s quartet and Allexa Nava’s quartet. Laura Jurd’s quintet is at Firth Hall in November and we return to Crookes for our final three gigs; Sam Newboud’s Quintet; the Doncaster Jazz Alumni band and Ribbons Quartet. Full details are on our website http://www.sheffieldjazz.org.uk.
Sheffield Jazz Autumn 2025 Season
Crookes Social Club, Mulehouse Road, Sheffield, S10 1TD Tel: 0114 266 0114 Doors open at 19.20, music starts at 20.00, finish time 22.45. Prices: Full £17; over 60s, disabled, unemployed £15; students with NUS card £10; 15–17 year olds £5; under 15s Free. Advance tickets from http://www.ticketsource.co.uk/sheffield-jazz.
Crucible Theatre, 55 Norfolk Street, Sheffield S1 1DA Tel 0114 249 6000 (in association with Music in the Round) Doors open 19.00 music starts 19.30, finish time 22.00. Prices: Full £20; over 60s, disabled, unemployed £18; students with NUS card £10; 15–17 year olds £5; Under 15s Free. Advance tickets (no additional booking fee) from Crucible Box Office http://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk
Firth Hall, Firth Court, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN Tel 0114 222 8888 (in association with University of Sheffield) Doors open at 19.00, music starts at 19.30, finish time 22.00. Prices: Full £18; over 60s, disabled, unemployed £16; students with NUS card £10; 15–17 year olds £5 Under 15s Free. Advance tickets from http://www.ticketsource.co.uk/sheffield-jazz.
For details visit http://www.sheffieldjazz.org.uk
Thursday 2 October
at 20.00
Crookes Social Club
James Allsopp Quartet
plays Stan Getz
James Allsopp: tenor saxophone, bass clarinet
Colin Oxley: guitar
Oli Hayhurst: double bass
Dave Storey: drums and percussion
Award winning saxophonist James Allsopp pays tribute to the legendary Stan Getz, one of the most influential tenor sax players, known for his warm, lyrical style. Stan played bop and cool jazz and in the 1960s popularised the bossa nova sounds of Brazil, often working with many legendary guitarists. James’ top notch band will present an interpretation of some highlights from Stan’s rich back catalogue over a remarkable 45-year career, playing music from their new album “Ballads and Bossas”. Expect lush ballads, lilting bossa novas, swinging standards and motoring bop compositions played by some of London’s most in demand musicians.
Wednesday 8 October
at 19.15
Crucible Theatre
The Pocket Ellington - feat. Alan Barnes and Dave Green / Vimala Rowe Quartet
Alan Barnes: baritone &alto sax, clarinet
Robert Fowler: tenor sax,
Simon Finch: trumpet
David Lalljee: trombone
Alex Webb: piano/MD,
Dave Green: bass,
Alfonso Vitale: drums
Vimala Rowe Quartet
Vimala Rowe: vocals
Charlie Flint: piano
Mikele Montolli: bass
Darren Beckett: drums
Born out of a love of the music of the great Duke Ellington, The Pocket Ellington manages what ought to be impossible. But with Alan Barnes, Robert Fowler, Simon Finch and David Lalljee on hand, anything is possible. Veteran bassist Dave Green and powerhouse drummer Alfonso Vitale provide the swing. Great charts are presented
in clever new arrangements which evoke the period but also offer solo space to these top-flight musicians. Their repertoire also includes pieces from artists and arrangers who were influenced by the Duke - Mingus, Monk and Gil Evans. It’s a big sound from a pocket band.
From her training in Hindustani classical music in India, to world music, soul and effortlessly swinging jazz, award winning singer Vimala Rowe has rapidly become recognised as a major talent on the British jazz scene. Sell out performances at Ronnie Scott’s, Pizza Express Jazz Club, 606 Club, London Jazz Festival and countrywide,
she delights and enchants her audiences with her naturally passionate and emotive range of expression. Her phenomenal accolades include a highly successful duo with guitar legend John Etheridge, culminating in an acclaimed eclectic album of their own work and performing with flamenco legend Paco Pena at Sadler’s Wells.
Thursday 16 October
at 20.00
Crookes Social Club.
Josephine Davies’ Satori
Josephine Davies: tenor & soprano saxophones
Alcyona Mick: piano
Dave Whitford: bass
Jay Davis: drums
Acclaimed saxophonist & composer Josephine Davies brings her exciting, dynamic ensemble Satori to Sheffield to celebrate the launch of ‘Weatherwards’, their fourth album on Whirlwind Recordings. The music is inspired by her Nordic roots in the Shetland Islands and beautifully weaves together the band’s contemporary jazz background with a hauntingly evocative folk influence. Josephine is a musician at the forefront of the UK contemporary music scene. With three albums under their belt as a sax/bass/drums trio, the addition of pianist Alcyona Mick allows them to stretch her compositional vision further, creating a colourful and complex harmonic palette.
Friday 24 October
at 20.00
Crookes Social Club
Harben Kay Quartet
Harben Kay: tenor saxophone
Peter Johnstone: piano
Calum Gourlay: bass
Alyn Cosker: drums
A Sheffield Jazz debut for award-winning tenor saxophonist Harben Kay with a stellar Scottish rhythm section. Harben is fast becoming renowned as one of the UK’s most creative and virtuosic jazz artists,following two acclaimed albums and performances at venues including Ronnie Scott’s, The Royal Albert Hall and The Vortex. Their
latest album ‘Golden Sands,’ released on Kay’s own label, Sulis Records, features original compositions reflective of Kay’s experiences in their homeland of Scotland and time spent living in London and New York. Their upcoming third album “The World I Live In”, is about identity, change and how change inspires creativity.
Friday 7 November
at 20.00
Allexa Nava Quartet
finish time 22.15
Allexa Nava - alto sax
Jai Patel: trombone
Emile Hinton: keyboards
Cassius Cobbson: drums
Hailing from Peru saxophonist, flautist, and composer Allexa Nava has been making waves on the UK jazz scene for the last few years. But it is her reputation as a bandleader and composer that is set to soar following the release of her highly anticipated debut EP No Language on the influential Jazz Re:freshed label. An award-winning participant on the Tomorrow’s Warriors Emerging Artists Programme, there is no denying that Allexa has already gone on an incredible journey of exploration and growth as a musician and jazz audiences can feel justifiably excited to see where this journey leads next!
Thursday 13 November
at 19.30
Firth Hall
Laura Jurd Quintet
Laura Jurd: trumpet
Ultan O’Brien: violin/viola
Martin Green: accordion
Ruth Goller: bass
Corrie Dick: drums
One of the most distinctive voices in jazz and improvised music, Laura Jurd presents music from her forthcoming new album, ‘Rites & Revelations’. Laura’s approach to the trumpet and her love of folk traditions can be heard in her music, alongside a background in classical composition. Her love of traditional music has deepened having played alongside Ultan O’Brien and Martin Green, who appear on the album. Propelled by this world-class rhythm section, the music takes the listener on a journey of ritual and catharsis to a melodic world full of compelling twists and turns, whilst retaining a grounded sense of familiarity.
Friday 21 November
at 20.00
Crookes Social Club
Sam Newbould Quintet
Sam Newbould: alto saxophone & compositions
Bernard van Rossum: tenor sax
Xavi Torres: piano
Ton Felices: double bass
Guy Salamon: drums
A rare chance to see an internationally celebrated band as Yorkshire- born saxophonist & composer Sam Newbould leads his award- winning line-up from the vibrant Amsterdam jazz scene. Their music combines virtuosity with driving grooves and playful melodies that stick in your head. The quintet has performed on major stages
including Jazzahead 2025, North Sea Jazz Festival, Love Supreme and BIMHUIS (NL). Sam says, “There’s an energy and joy in our performances that we hope everyone can enjoy – whether they’re jazz fans or not. The songs are catchy, foot-tapping, but also sometimes dark and emotional”. Expect spectacular solos and a few unexpected
twists.
Sunday 23 November
At 13.30
Crookes Social Club
Doncaster Jazz Alumni
Trumpets: Tom Tait, Damian Bell, Gareth Smith, James Hamilton, Mike King, Reuben Fowler
Saxes: Mark Ellis, Cat Miles, Myvanwy Smith, Nadim Teimoori, Sarah Potts, Mark Sabin
Trombones: Lee Hallam, Rory Ingham, Richard Potts, Jonathan Read
Rhythm: Matt Robinson, Martin Longhawn (p) Paul Baxter, Sean Hodgson (b) Joe Sykes (d)
Another chance to see the Doncaster Jazz Alumni, a really great big band whose local name belies the national prominence of its members. They are professional musicians who were past members of the Doncaster Youth Jazz Association (DYJA). Some - including Reuben Fowler, Rory Ingham, Matt Robinson and Nadim Teimoori -
have jazz recording credits as contributors or key members of leading bands. Check out all the star names with whom they have collaborated. Everything they do and sell is ‘not for profit’. Expect a stylistically diverse programme with all the proceeds from the performance going towards keeping DYJA alive for future generations.
Thursday 27 November
at 20.00
Crookes Social Club
Ribbons Quartet
Rebecca Nash: piano
Sara Colman: vocals
Henrik Jensen: bass
Jonathan Silk: drums
Singer Sara Colman and pianist Rebecca Nash are two musicians whose beautiful and intimate music celebrates the joy of musical partnership, friendship and collaboration. Their long-standing relationship, centred around a song they wrote together called Ribbons, has honed a musical intuition that produces the misleadingly
easy sounding but musically adventurous story telling of all good singer-musician relationships. Built on a foundation of jazz, the creativity of the duo comes to the fore in their collection of songs which straddle singer-songwriter, folk and classical music with glimpses of early influences such as Joni Mitchell and British jazz pianist John Taylor.