What's On — Jazz events

Rush Hour Blues - Annual Poll Winner's Concert
More Info
Fri 26 Mar 5:30pm Symphony Hall Foyer Bars

The annual audience poll celebrates the diverse range of artists who perform at Rush Hour Blues. The winner's concert sees one lucky group take to the stage for a second time. Presented in association with Birmingham Jazz.
Dan Berglund's Tonbruket Birmingham Jazz 2009/10
More Info Book Tickets
Tue 30 Mar 8:00pm Book through our ticket office for CBSO Centre
Arun Ghosh Sextet
More Info
Fri 9 Apr 5:30pm Symphony Hall Foyer Bars

Conceived in Calcutta, bred in Bolton, matured in Manchester and living in London, Arun Ghosh’s musical vision and vocabulary reflects his rich geographical heritage. His Indo-Jazz Sextet play original music of South Asian origin with a contemporary jazz attitude, rocking urban beats, and the passion of punk. Sweet and timeless melodies give birth to soaring improvisations and raag explorations, driven by a heady mix of dub-reggae bass, tabla trickery and ferocious drum explosions. _‘What is this fiery music and where does it come from?’_ *Metro* _‘Extraordinary charisma and musicianship and a consistently riveting compositional skill’_ *Jazzwise* _‘A charismatic figure with a future’_ *The Guardian*
Django Bates and The Beloved Bird Trio Birmingham Jazz 2009/10
More Info Book Tickets
Sat 10 Apr 8:00pm Book through our ticket office for CBSO Centre

More details to follow shortly
Rush Hour Blues - Face to Face: Pascal Schumacher & Jef Neve
More Info
Fri 16 Apr 5:30pm Symphony Hall Foyer Bars

Two great European players come to Birmingham as part of their ECHO Rising Stars tour: Pascal Schumacher from Luxembourg on vibes and Jef Neve from Belgium on piano.
Melody Gardot With support Federico Aubele
More Info Book Tickets
Mon 19 Apr 7:30pm Symphony Hall

Philadelphia-based singer-songwriter Melody Gardot burst onto the scene with her 2008 debut album _Worrisome Heart_ which displays her innate gift for transforming the traditions of jazz and blues with her "personal kiss of life." Her 2009 follow-up, _My One and Only Thrill_, is an artistic leap forward for the smoky-voiced singer, mixing Latin rhythms, finger-snapping blues, and smouldering torch songs.
An Evening with Rufus Wainwright
More Info Book Tickets
Tue 20 Apr 7:45pm Symphony Hall

Affectionately referred to by Elton John as “the greatest songwriter on the planet” and praised by The New York Times for his "genuine originality," Rufus Wainwright has established himself as one of the great male vocalists and songwriters of his generation. Rufus has achieved his success by carving out his own singular sound in the worlds of rock, opera, theatre, dance and film.
BBC Big Band: A Tribute to Louis & Ella
More Info Book Tickets
Fri 23 Apr 7:30pm Town Hall

Join Australian trumpet virtuoso James Morrison and the BBC Big Band to hear the sounds of jazz legend Louis Armstrong; including _Sleepy Time_ _Down South_, _All of Me_ and _Struttin’ with some Barbecue_. They are joined by singer Anita Wardell as they recreate the great jazz partnership of Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald. Concert to be recorded for BBC Radio 2’s "Big Band Special":http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/shows/bigband BBC Big Band is a Town Hall Associate Artist
*BBC Big Band* *James Morrison* _trumpet_ *Anita Wardell* _vocalist_ *Mark Nightingale* _conductor_
Edition Records Showcase: Dave Stapleton Quintet + Mark Lockheart New Band Birmingham Jazz 2009/10
More Info Book Tickets
Fri 23 Apr 8:00pm Book through our ticket office for CBSO Centre

More details to follow shortly
Hugh Masekela and the CBSO
More Info Book Tickets
Fri 7 May 7:30pm Symphony Hall

Hugh Masekela is a legend. Born in South Africa seventy years ago, he quickly emerged as one of his country’s leading musicians, his music reflecting its struggles, sorrows, joys and passions. He returns to Symphony Hall for a unique collaboration with the CBSO and the Town Hall Gospel Choir, for whom he has written a new work, as well as performing Jason Yarde’s Flugelhorn Concerto. Visit the "CBSO website":http://www.cbso.co.uk
*City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra* *Michael Seal* _conductor_ *Hugh Masekela* _flugelhorn_ *Jason Yarde* _saxophones_ *Town Hall Gospel Choir* *CBSO Young Voices in partnership with Birmingham Music Service*
Francis Rossi Plus special guests
More Info Book Tickets
Thu 13 May 7:30pm Town Hall

The Status Quo frontman is regarded as a classic rock performer and has won several awards including the BRIT Award for Outstanding Contribution To Music. This concert will allow him to reveal another side of himself to the rock fraternity. Rossi commented, _“I never stop writing songs and melodies but there have been many tracks over the years that just weren’t right for Quo. These songs have been gathering dust in my mind for too long and now seems the right time to showcase them. It’s a big step for me but I hope to see lots of the same faces out there on the road!”_ The _One Step At A Time_ tour represents a great chance to witness one of rock’s great performers, famous for his dry wit and lyrical dash, up close and personal. Francis Rossi will be accompanied by an 8 piece band.
Gwilym Simcock Trio with Mike Walker, Steve Swallow and Adam Nussbaum Birmingham Jazz 2009/10
More Info Book Tickets
Sat 22 May 8:00pm Book through our ticket office for CBSO Centre

More details to follow shortly
Eric Bibb in concert plus Megan Henwood (support)
More Info Book Tickets
Thu 27 May 8:00pm Town Hall

A performance by Eric Bibb is an enriching experience, both musically and spiritually. His music, like his personality, is intimate, assured and passionate, drawing listeners into the moment more as participants than as spectators. His rich and sensitive vocals and lyrics provide a perfect balance to his fine fingerpicking technique. Purveying a beautifully realised and deftly accomplished soulful and gospel-infused folk-blues, Bibb has no problem blending various genres effortlessly, melding a traditional rootsy American style with a subtle, contemporary sensibility. As one critic wrote, _“Eric’s singing and versatile guitar playing fuses a variety of genes to become a New World Blues.”_ He visits Town Hall to mark the release of new album, _Booker’s Guitar_, inspired by the discovery of a 1930s steel-body guitar that had belonged to Delta blues legend Booker White, an older cousin to B.B. King. Bibb recorded the title track in England using White’s guitar.
Roberto Fonseca
More Info Book Tickets
Wed 2 Jun 7:30pm Town Hall

_“Sensuous, fresh, modern - brings the piano dazzlingly to life.”_ The Daily Telegraph _“A genre-busting tour de force."_ The Observer _“Fonseca is a star.”_ The Independent On Sunday _"A fabulously gifted pianist, composer and band leader... a gift for melody that outshines more celebrated peers."_ The Guardian Roberto Fonseca is an extraordinary and charismatic young pianist from Cuba. He wowed audiences as a member of Buena Vista Social Club, where he was successor to Ruben Gonzalez, co-produced Ibrahim Ferrer’s last album, and released his debut album _Zamazu_ to global acclaim. His exuberant pianism draws on Cuban traditions, and his music is a vibrant, sexy and beguiling cocktail of Latin and Jazz, topped off with an unparalleled gift for melody.
*Roberto Fonseca* _piano/keyboards_ *Joel Hierrezuelo* _percussion_ *Javier Zalba* _clarinet, flute, sax_ *Ramsés Rodriguez* _drums_ *Omar Gonzáles* _double bass_
Neil Cowley Trio Birmingham Jazz 2009/10
More Info Book Tickets
Sat 5 Jun 8:00pm Book through our ticket office for CBSO Centre

More details to follow.
Glenn Miller Orchestra
More Info Book Tickets
Sat 26 Jun 7:30pm Symphony Hall

The UK's most renowned big band pays tribute to the 65th Anniversary of VE Day in this nostalgic journey back to the forties. Legendary bandleader Ray McVay swings in to Birmingham with chart topping war time hits including _You Made Me Love you_, _Stairway To The Stars_, _Moonlight Becomes You_, _In The Mood_, _Tuxedo Junction_, _Pennsylvania 65000_, _St. Louis Blues March_, plus a special medley tribute to forces sweetheart - Vera Lynn. For this special summertime performance The Glenn Miller Orchestra are joined on stage by Jan Messeder, Colin Anthony, The Uptown Hall Gang, The Moonlight Serenaders and very special guest Dennis Lotis remembering the magnificent Ted Heath Band with classics _Get Happy_, _Mack the Knife_ and _Georgia_. The orchestra will perform the second half of the concert in the World War II uniforms of the US Army Air Force.
*Glenn Miller Orchestra* Plus special Guests: *Jan Messeder* *Colin Anthony* *The Uptown Hall Gang* *The Moonlight Serenaders*
Tony Bennett
More Info Book Tickets
Sat 3 Jul 8:00pm Symphony Hall

Living legend Tony Bennett was described by his friend Frank Sinatra as "_the best singer in the business_." Still touring worldwide with hits such as _I Left My Heart in San Francisco_ and _Rags To Riches_, his 60 year career has seen him connect with audiences of all ages. Whether through _Tony Bennett: MTV Unplugged_ or 2006’s _Duets_ (his triple-platinum album featuring McCartney, Sting, Bono and more), his classic style, timelessness and refusal to compromise wins him new fans every day. "_When they zig, I zag!_” Tony Bennett
Robert Cray Band & very special guest Andy Fairweather Low
More Info Book Tickets
Mon 12 Jul 8:00pm Symphony Hall

For over 30 years Robert Cray has laid down track after track of good-time, uptown, low-down blues. He's won 5 Grammys, been nominated for 11 more and collaborated with such luminaries as Eric Clapton, B. B. King, Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry and Bonnie Raitt. This concert follows the release of new album _This Time_.