On Tuesday night @WatermillJazz in Dorking for the club’s first gig of 2025 Robert Fowler - tenor sax with the rhythm section ‘dream-team’ of John Pearce - piano, Dave Green - double bass, Steve Brown - drums produced two sets of beautifully toned jazz, greatly enjoyed by a full house and the band.

Wednesday evening @KingsPlace saw the @BIGGospelChoir produce a vibrant, high energy show bringing an enthusiastic audience to its feet. A great selection of gospel driven music. Impossible not to be infused with their feeling.

On Sunday evening the ⁦‪@dyadproductions‬⁩ at ⁦‪@Riverhousebarn‬⁩, Walton-on-Thames of ‘A Christmas Carol’ was a one-man tour de force by Andrew Margerison, directed by Rebecca Vaughan. Atmospheric, energetic and great entertainment. Loved it. Thanks to the entire team.

On Saturday evening ⁦‪@RunnymedeDrama‬⁩ staged a very impressive version of Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler at ⁦‪@Riverhousebarn‬⁩, Walton-on-Thames which could have graced a West End theatre. The cast’s performance was of the highest quality. Thanks to all concerned.

I’ve got to recommend the Barbie exhibition at the Design museum, Kensington. It was so entertaining. Well curated, gave a history of the development of the doll. Surprisingly interesting and very engaging. Lots of Barbies on show as well as many of her costumes, accessories and vehicles.

On Saturday night at ⁦‪@stmaryssessions‬⁩, Dorking The Soul Immigrants entertained a sell-out crowd with two sets of their trademark energetic soul and funk to good effect. You can’t beat live music.

Hello there. Would you mind awfully helping us get to 25k followers here this weekend, please? We’re trying to break away from Twitter, you see. Thank you very much x

On Wednesday night ⁦‪@WayOutWestJazz‬⁩ presented ⁦‪@TurksHeadTW1‬⁩ Larry Bartley - double bass, Bruno Heinen - keyboards, Winston Clifford - drums who delivered two sets of outstanding jazz. Thanks to all concerned. Support local venues and clubs - you’ll miss them when they’re gone.

⁦‪ A full house at @WatermillJazz, Dorking on‬⁩ Tuesday enjoyed the Alan Barnes Sextet presenting the club’s final 2024 gig in its 30th year. ⁦‪@alanbarnesjazz‬⁩ - saxes & clarinet, Pete Horsfall - cornet, Mark Nightingale - trombone, John Pearce - piano, Jeremy Brown - d. bass, Mark Taylor - drums.

At ⁦‪@pizzajazzclub‬⁩, Soho Monday night relaxed enjoyable gig with Denise Mangiardi - piano/vocals with Dave O’Higgins - saxes, Jeremy Brown - bass, Luca Bascagin - guitar & Jeff Boudreaux - drums + special  guests Jason Rebello - piano and Judith O’Higgins - tenor sax.

On Sunday night at @LondonPalladium Dirty Rotten Scoundrels in Concert was fun and received a tremendous response from the audience who clearly loved it. Ramin Karimloo, Hadley Fraser, Carly Mercedes Dyer and the rest of a strong cast and musicians & choir were impressive.

Sunday afternoon ⁦‪@KingsPlace‬⁩ Chinese-Australian Mindy Meng Wang (guzheng) and Australian Paul Grabowsky (piano) combined to present a unique and fascinating fusion of Chinese folk music and contemporary jazz creating a beautiful soundscape. Thank you. #WeAreJazz

Sunday afternoon ⁦‪@KingsPlace‬⁩ the Eishan Ensemble led by Hamed Sadeghi - tar (Iranian lute) + Michael Avgenicos - sax, Adem Yilmaz - percussion & Maximillian Alduca - double bass were a delight playing what has been described as 'eastern jazz fusion'. Whatever it was it was beautiful. #WeAreJazz

⁦‪At @cadoganhall‬⁩ on Saturday night the Marcin Wasilewski Trio celebrated 30 years together. Marcin Wasilewski - piano, Sławomir Kurkiewicz - double-bass & Michał Miśkiewicz - drums exhibited great harmony and style in producing fabulous and original jazz loved by a full house. #WeAreJazz

Saturday lunchtime @pizzajazzclub, Soho the Harper Trio. Maria-Christina Harper - electronic harp, Evan Jenkins - drums, Josephine Davies - sax. Original, often contemplative, sounds from a well integrated trio who were well appreciated by a full audience. Thanks. #WeAreJazz

Saturday evening @wigmore_hall Nik Bärtsch & Tania Giannouli on pianos started late, ended very early and advertised interval dematerialised. Staff as confused as audience. Intense mood generated by very modern music broken by performers on/off stage antics. Disappointing. #WeAreJazz

Friday afternoon at @cadoganhall Soul Time played the music of Bobby Timmons. Steve Fishwick - trumpet, Leon Greening - piano, Matyas Hofecker - double bass, Matt Home - drums. An excellent swinging group showcasing a great performer & player. Thank you. #WeAreJazz

Wednesday night ⁦‪@Riverhousebarn‬⁩, Walton-on-Thames ⁦‪@WayOutWestJazz‬⁩ celebrated their first 20 years in great style with ten musicians giving their all to good effect and enjoyed by an appreciative audience. #WeAreJazz

Great vibrant performance Thursday night at ⁦‪@pizzajazzclub‬⁩, Soho by Ant Law’s Unified Theories: ⁦‪@AntLawGuitar‬⁩ - guitar with ⁦‪@GwilymSimcock‬⁩ - piano, Will Vinson - alto sax, Ferg Ireland - bass, Ernesto Simpson - drums. Thanks to all concerned. Top contemporary jazz. #WeAreJazz

Tuesday pm @cadoganhall the Nicolas Meier World Group with ⁦‪@MGPRec‬⁩ - guitars, Richard Jones - violin, Tom Mason - bass, Demi Garcia Sabat - drums & percussion, @alexhuttonmusic - piano played beautiful music influenced and inspired by so many sources and styles. An outstanding performance.

Tuesday night @WatermillJazz, Dorking Matt Skelton’s Blackhawk Quintet - celebrating Shelly Manne and his music - blew up a storm with Skelton - drums, James Davison - trumpet, Mark Crooks - tenor sax, Leon Greening - piano & Ferg Ireland - dble bass. Live music at its best. Thanks to all concerned

On Monday night @pizzajazzclub, Soho as part of the EFG LJF the Joe Webb Trio provided two sets of lively, high quality piano jazz which delighted us and the crowd. Our thanks to all concerned. @_joe_webb_ - piano with Will Sach - double bass and @SamJesson - drums #WeAreJazz

At @KingsPlace‬⁩ Saturday evening ‘Visitor from Everywhere’ led by the brilliant Emma Rawicz ⁦‪@ESzczerbo‬⁩ - sax + Laura Jurd - trumpet, ⁦‪@conorchaplin‬⁩ - bass, ⁦‪@AntonEger‬⁩ - drums & ⁦‪@Jasrebello‬⁩ - piano was a stunning collective success and will be a Festival highlight. #WeAreJazz

At @cadoganhall Friday @tordg the Tord Gustavsen trio with Gustavsen - piano, Steinar Raknes - double bass, Jarle Vespestad - drums + Louise Lavoll sound design (which was brilliant) supported by Nils Okland. A great start to the London Jazz Festival. #WeAreJazz

On Wednesday night at ⁦‪@pizzajazzclub‬, Holborn ‘supergroup’ Blicher Hemmer Gadd produced a stunning set for an enthusiastic crowd who loved three relaxed renowned stars enjoying themselves by playing music of the highest quality. The Squeeze and I loved it, as did all there.

I go to c. 100 jazz gigs in London and around p.a. + a lot of art exhibitions etc. Yes, I’m retired, married to an amazing woman and sane most days. Follow for the ride. Last night the Watermill Jazz Club, Dorking, tonight PizzaExpress Holborn & about a dozen during the London Jazz Festival.