<img src='' title='Event Category: Music' alt='' id='templ_icon_' width='' height='' /> Event Category: Music

A classic Ellingtonian sound from the mighty ‘pocket band’ playing great charts by ’The Duke’ and jazz artists he’d influenced.

Born out of the love of Ellington that pianist/arranger Alex Webb shares with the others in the band, The Pocket Ellington manages what ought to be impossible – creating a classic Ellingtonian sound with just four horns and a rhythm section.  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 from the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s – Main Stem, Rain Check, Cotton Tail, Chelsea Bridge, Such Sweet Thunder and others – are presented in clever new arrangements which evoke the period but also offer solo space to these top-flight musicians.

The repertoire also includes pieces from artists and arrangers who were influenced by the Duke – Charles Mingus, Thelonious Monk and Gil Evans.  It’s a big sound from a pocket band.

Miles Davis is supposed to have said, ‘at least one day out of the year all musicians should just put their instruments down, and give thanks to Duke Ellington.’  The Pocket Ellington does just that.

Line-up: Alan Barnes baritone & alto sax and clarinet, Robert Fowler tenor sax, Simon Finch trumpet, David Lalljjee trombone, Alex Webb piano/MD, Dave Green bass and Alfonso Vitale drums.

A highly distinctive and attuned sound-world that melds jazz, Eastern & Middle Eastern music, Flamenco, Tango… Virtuosity and musicianship!

Nicolas Meier World Group has a highly distinctive sound, melding Eastern & Middle Eastern music, Flamenco, Tango and more – all mixed with jazz! His legendary virtuosity and eclectic musical interests are well supported by his super-talented quintet with its vibrant sonic palette.

Line-up: Nicolas Meier acoustic fretted & fretless guitars and glissentar, Richard Jones violin, Demi Garcia percussion, Tom Mason bass and Alex Hutton piano

‘Meier’s scintillating playing on assorted fretted and fretless guitars is sometimes reminiscent of Metheny or McLaughlin but with a highly melodic, pan-Mediterranean eclecticism of his own’ Jim Gilchrist – Scotsman ★★★★

Meier has toured the world as part of the Jeff Beck Band and has carved a reputation out as one of the world’s most original and uniquely talented guitarists.

This promises to be a brilliant gig!

We Three Kings – of Country- The Music of Johnny Cash, Hank Williams & Jim Reeves

Johnny Cash, performed by Rick McKay, engages with the audience, classic songs ‘Folsom Prison Blues’, ‘Ghost Riders in the Sky’ & ‘A Boy named Sue’ and there is plenty more were they came from! Multi talented Rick Mckay has performed everywhere from the ‘West End’ to ‘Nashville’, playing various rolls in various Shows, today Rick performs and celebrate the music of one of his hero’s Johnny Cash.

Marc Robinson renowned for playing Buddy Holly all over Great Britain has a love for Hank Williams that can be seen in his performance as he sings ‘I Saw the Light’, ‘Take these Chains’ & ‘Howlin at the Moon’. 

Lee Davidge one of the founders of the Rock n Roll Group Red Alert sensitively plays the Ballard’s of Jim Reeves (known as Gentleman Jim). Dressed in his authentic costume, this is an evening to sit back relax and sing along to the timeless classics ‘Welcome to my World’, ‘I Love you Because’, & of course ‘Bimbo’!

Suits all ages as long as you’re prepared for a classic Country Music Evening! Pure Country Magic!

Produced by A.M. Productions
www.amptheatreagency.co.uk

Starts     7.30pm
Finishes   10.00pm

The highly successful show, We Three Kings – of Rock ‘n’ Roll celebrates the music of three icons – Roy Orbison, Buddy Holly, & Elvis Presley.

Roy Orbison, performed by Steve Place, will bring you the hits from ‘In Dreams’, to ‘I Drove all Night’. It’s just like you have Roy Orbison in the room!

Marc Robinson and his four-piece Band ‘The Counterfeit Crickets’ pay attention to detail with a tribute to Buddy Holly, with authentic attire, horned rimmed glasses and the famous Stratocaster Guitar. Marc Robinson from the original ‘Stars in their Eyes’ Show and ‘Buddy’ The Musical, creates nostalgic memories with songs that include……. ‘Heartbeat’, ‘It Doesn’t Matter Anymore’, ‘Peggy Sue’ and ‘True Love Ways’!

ELVIS, what more can you say, the true King of Rock n Roll himself, lots of classics…. ‘That’s all-right Mama’, ‘G.I. Blues’, & Suspicious Minds. From the ‘BBC Elvis Show’ and many more hit Shows around Great Britain, Europe & Las Vegas, Steve Halliday, with authentic costume changes will transport you back to the days when Rock n Roll was King!

Rock n Roll at its finest! Will Rock n Roll in Melksham ever Die? That’ll be the Day!

Suits all ages

www.facebook.com/WeThreeKingsRocknRoll

Produced by A.M. Productions
www.amptheatreagency.co.uk

The Nottingham Organ Society will be moving their concerts into our comfortable theatre bar for August, and this month’s headliner is the perfect performer to create the best atmosphere in our intimate space.

Presented by the Nottingham Organ Society

This concert will take place in the Bonington Theatre Bar. Tickets will be limited!

Step into a new era of swing and swagger as the Renaissance Big Band – formerly The Tony Farrell Big Band – takes flight with its inaugural concert, under the masterful direction from one of the UK’s leading Jazz artists, Hugh Pascall. We’re honouring decades of big-band tradition while weaving in fresh, modern twists, and we couldn’t have done it without the brilliant musicians, arrangers, and community champions who’ve lent us their talent and inspiration throughout the decades of performances by the band.

Join us for an unforgettable journey of chart-topping classics, reinterpreted editions and brand-new arrangements that bridge the golden age of jazz with today’s vibrant sounds.

You can expect to see an 18-piece powerhouse big band ensemble supported by incredible vocalists and special guests of the band as we take you on a tour

What to expect:

• An 18 piece powerhouse big band ensemble led by Hugh Pascall, whose dynamic vision bridges classic and contemporary jazz
• Big-band standards both classic and contemporary, but sure to entertain
• Special guest appearances from Nottingham’s top jazz collaborators
• The unmistakable energy of a band united by friendship

Inspired by the Great American Songbook, with a voice and song writing style likened to Carole King, Norah Jones and Rumer, Hannah Brine writes and performs lush ballads and lively jazz anthems, telling tales of growth and change, of life and loss, all destined to be modern classics.

Presented by Live & Local

One old hippy, one voice, one guitar (well, maybe two!)

An original Hippy performing favourite songs from the years surrounding Woodstock – 1966 to 1971, the golden age of songwriting.

The 60’s – Vo Fletcher was there! He lived it, breathed it, bought the records, saw the bands, played the songs and he’s still doing it 60 years later.

Vo is a true professional, having played thousands of gigs throughout his career, performing with The Applejacks, Fairport Convention, Rick Wakeman, Ray Jackson (Lindisfarne,) Nigel Kennedy, Donovan, Rik Mayall, Brent Ford & The Nylons to mention a few. He’s also made plenty of appearances on live TV, wrote TV theme tunes and even worked for a year as a children’s TV presenter.

This is the perfect show for audiences who will enjoy the very best of the 60’s/70’s songs with a smattering of original tunes by a well-seasoned and skilled musician.

Presented by Live & Local

Join us for The Campfire Sessions, where Craig Gould’s heartfelt performances and storytelling shine. He shares the stories behind his songs, inspired by his journey to recovery, creating a deeply personal and memorable connection with the audience.

With sold-out shows on two national tours, festival appearances at The Long Road and Ynot Festivals, and widespread support from BBC Radio across the UK, Craig Gould’s talent for connecting with audiences through story and song is being rightfully recognized.

His album, ‘Songs from the Campfire,’ received critical acclaim, reaching the Top 20 in the UK’s Official Folk Album Charts and featuring on the award-winning ‘Folk on Foot’ podcast chart show. These songs chronicle his battles with severe mental illness and his path to recovery.

Expect an atmosphere of togetherness and authenticity as Craig gathers us together to celebrate progress and recovery, and to focus on the positive rather than past struggles.

Presented by Live & Local

Experience an evening of spellbinding storytelling, live music and rich nostalgia as ARKangel bring Laurie Lee’s beloved world to life. This beautifully crafted performance transports audiences to a time of change – a rural community on the brink of modernity, emerging from the shadows of the First World War.

Through a unique blend of spoken word, traditional song and evocative musical pieces, including The Lark Ascending and Land of Hope and Glory, this show captures the warmth, humour and characters of a countryside past.

Audiences can expect to meet wild schoolchildren ‘stuffed to the gunwales’ in the village classroom, witness the last of the ‘bonneted and booted,’ and hear the first rumblings of motorcars on quiet lanes. And, of course, there’s the young Laurie Lee – violinist, dreamer, poet – and his unforgettable first love, Rosie Burdock.

With stunning live violin, classical guitar and soaring vocals, this performance is an immersive journey into a world that feels both deeply nostalgic and strikingly familiar. Whether your audiences remember the echoes of this time or are discovering it anew, the evening promises to be touching, uplifting and utterly captivating for all.

A must see for Laurie Lee fans but above all, a wonderful opportunity for your community to come together and celebrate the spirit of rural life – its past, its people and its stories.

Presented by Live & Local