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Matthew has been performing on pipe and electronic organs since 1994, making his solo debut in Hadlow Down in East Sussex.  Following completing a degree in Music and Education at The University of Reading, he combined a teaching and performing career, before turning full-time to music in 2005. His concert programmes – irrespective of the type of instrument – have a diverse range of music from classical to contemporary.  He believes that the “King of Instruments” is capable of playing anything, and that the instrument can reach-out to a wider audience, not just “organ enthusiasts”.

​He explores all of the tonal colours available on every instrument he performs on, and he has been frequently described as “a breath of fresh air” by audiences

Presented by The Nottingham Organ Society

We are delighted to welcome ‘The Bootleg Shadows’ on their first visit to The Bonington Theatre.

‘The Bootleg Shadows’ perform a unique concert that encompasses the Shadows amazing career from 1960 up until the early 80s. Concert audiences are invited to relive fantastic hits such as Apache, Foot Tapper, Riders in The Sky , Atlantis, Wonderful Land, Kon Tiki, Cavatina, FBI plus some hit songs of “Cliff” and a few “wild cards” for good measure!

For anyone who loves the sounds of the 60’s – and enjoys a few laughs on the way – ‘The Bootleg Shadows’ perform a unique tribute that has audiences humming the tunes and doing the Shadows famous ‘walk’ long after they have left the Theatre.

Voted Best Newcomer Of The Year 2023 in the parliamentary jazz awards, pianist and composer Sultan Stevenson is considered one of the brightest stars of his generation.  A product of both Tomorrow’s Warriors and the Julian Joseph Jazz Academy, Sultan is a Londoner with roots in the Caribbean, with parents of Barbadian and Vincentian descent.

His debut album Faithful One was released in March 2023 on Whirlwind Recordings, with a second album titled El Roi out in 2025.

Sultan has a creative sideline in making bucket hats – mostly featuring West African patterns in colourful two-tone designs – which he sells at gigs.  Check out some designs- https://www.sultanstevenson.co.uk/hats/

“Sultan is the first to admit that he has absorbed the work of many of the greats of the jazz piano – there has clearly been time well spent living with the music of McCoy Tyner, Geri Allen, Herbie Hancock and Kenny Kirkland – but that is only a part of his story. His faith as a young Christian is ever-present, as is his deep appreciation of Black gospel music, bebop, swing, reggae, funk and hip-hop as well as the history of Africa and the African diaspora which are part of his identity.” – Sebastian Scotney

Line-up: Sultan Stevenson piano; Jacob Gryn bass and Joel Waters – drums

Local hero, Nottingham-born, internationally acclaimed, award-winning multi-instrumentalist Tony Kofi is a highly versatile in-demand jazz creative force.  No surprise he’s a firm favourite whenever he returns to play in Nottingham.  We’re more than delighted he’s performing with this special quartet The Organisation for Jazz Steps at the Bonington.

Line-up: Tony Kofi – baritone saxophone, Simon Fernsby guitar, Liam Dunachie Hammond organ and Pete Cater drums

The songs of Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, aka Steely Dan, were standout quality in 1970s rock: cryptic, pungent lyrics and sophisticated detailed music deeply influenced by  “the best jazz players of the ‘50s and ‘60s”, said Becker and Fagen.

Steely Jazz re-examines the Steely Dan canon, illuminating their singular melodies and rich harmonies. They explore the small jazz-group possibilities of an incomparably opulent songbook, featuring well-known pieces such as Rikki Don’t Lose That Number and Josie, alongside classic tracks and deep cuts from the masterpiece albums Aja, Gaucho, Countdown To Ecstasy, Katy Lied and more.

Steely Jazz is a fresh, exciting celebration of sophisticated jazz-infused music from two giants of 20th Century popular music – a daring undertaking in the studio, not to mention live!  Checkout the band line-up for musicians doubling and trebling-up on instruments and vocals. The album, titled Walter, Donald, is released early 2025.

Line-up: Chris Ingham piano/voice/guitar, Harry Green sax/guitar, Paul Higgs trumpet/piano, Geoff Gascoine double bass and George Double drums/voice

Whether you are familiar with Steely Dan’s music or coming to it new, this is well worth hearing live.  Book now!