Darlington New Orleans Jazz
2024 Events
Ray Sams ray@darlingtonjazz.co.uk Graham Foster graham@darlingtonjazz.co.uk
Saturday 3rd February
Alan Barnes and Swing Manouche
Saxophonist and Clarinettist Alan Barnes is one of the UK’s foremost jazz musicians, a composer, arranger and educator, he has received over 25 British Jazz Awards and has twice been made the B.B.C Jazz Musician of the Year. His unique musicianship, together with the rapport he has with his audiences, has made him uniquely popular in British jazz.
Today he is joined by Swing Manouche, led by Mick Shoulder, and together they will feature music from the great New Orleans clarinettists Sidney Bechet, Barney Bigard and Edmund Hall, and some classic tunes from Django Reinhardt’s Hot Club Quintet and early Benny Goodman Trios.
Saturday 17th February
Jim Wright’s Rhythm Deluxe
With a repertoire which includes jazz, rhythm & blues and perhaps some country and rock & roll, this five-
Saturday 2nd March
Frog & Henry from New Orleans.
We welcome back this amazing band who delighted the audience at their last visit to Darlington, with their performance of hot vintage jazz and blues.
Formed in New Orleans in 2013, as a collective from several street performing groups, their instrumentation of brass and strings is reminiscent of that of the original bands heard in the birthplace of jazz.
How can one musician play both tuba and six stringed banjo simultaneously? Look out for their own designed and built, foot operated tuba machine.
Saturday 6th April
The Jake Leg Jug Band.
Returning after their great performance which closed our 2022 Season, this band just love playing the sounds of America in the 1920s and 1930s -
Saturday 4th May
Jeff Barnhart’s Mr. Men.
It’s Spring, it’s May and that means pianist Jeff Barnhart has returned to our shores from across the pond. Jeff will have gathered around him his Mr. Men, John Hallam reeds, Keith Stephen guitar and banjo, and Bruce Rollo string bass, for another afternoon of exceptional jazz and good humour.
Saturday 1st June
Enrico Tomasso’s Swing Company.
Classic jazz from the 30’s played by these wonderful virtuosi now in an exciting ensemble, led by multi award winning trumpeter Enrico Tomasso. Charismatic Spats Langham on guitar and vocals, Trevor Whiting at the clarinet and saxophone, Nick Ward on drums and Malcolm Sked on bass, and by popular request from audiences of the jazz circuit, Cia Tomasso on vocals. They will serve you an entertaining and contrasting menu of great tunes from this era with total mastery and passion.
Saturday 29th June
Thomas ‘Spats’ Langham’s Hot Fingers
Our audiences in Darlington always demand the return of Hot Fingers; they know the group captures that lazy Sunday afternoon feeling, and their programme is always played beautifully, with wit and aplomb, held together by their unique style and musicianship. The demand for this group is such that over the twenty years they have been performing together they have performed over 1500 gigs – defiantly one not to miss.
Saturday 6th July
Warren James’ ‘The Lonnie Donegan Story’
The story and songs of Lonnie Donegan’s rise to fame, from the banjo player with the Chris Barber and Ken Colyer bands, to becoming the ‘King of Skiffle’ and the ‘God Father’ of British pop music.
Saturday 3rd August
The Savannah Jazz Band
In October 2022, enroute to play at the Ayr Jazz Club, the band’s long serving ‘Glorious Leader’ and drummer John Meehan suffered a serious stroke, and it was thought that the band had played its last gig. Such was the reaction to this news, the band were encouraged to reconsider, and under the leadership of Brian Ellis, and by the recruitment of Graham Smith in the drum chair, together with Roger Bird on reeds they are back. Savannah continue to be one of the most popular and hardworking bands on the jazz circuit.
Saturday 17th August
Windy City Weatherbirds
New addition to the programme
The Windy City Weatherbirds are a London based Trad Jazz group specialising in Swing and Dixieland music inspired by our love of Bobby Hackett, Jack Teagarden, Louis Armstrong, Muggsy Spanier and Wild Bill Davison to name a few!
Formed several years ago during our time spent studying at various UK conservatoires they now perform concerts, shows and gigs and are also available for private function bookings.
Saturday 7th September
The Big Easy Swing Band
The Big Easy Swing Band have continued to be busy playing at some of the UK’s top venues, festivals and touring throughout the UK. Their performances are dynamic and energetic playing high energy swing, but interspersed with moments of soulful melancholy.
Saturday 14th September
Jeff Barnhart’s Silent Film Fest
Its back again by popular demand, 
Weaving his musical magic from scene to scene, Jeff returns to provide another unforgettable afternoon of education, entertainment, and above all laughter, as he performs live era-
Saturday 5th October
Chris Walker’s Pedigree Five
Chris Walker has previously brought his Pedigree Jazz Band to Darlington featuring their ‘Salute to Trad Jazz’. Today he is bringing his new show ‘Mardi Gras Memories’ which highlights some of the great names that created the original music in the southern states of America.
Saturday 19th October
Paula Jackman’s Jazz Masters
As an addition to the printed programmes we have arrange the return of:-
'Paula Jackman’s Jazz Masters, is named as a tribute to Paula’s husband, Brian Masters -
Saturday 2nd November
Red Stripe
Red Stripe are back – Jump jive and rock & roll all performed in true foot tapping boogie woogie style. A non-
Saturday 7th December
The New Century Ragtime Orchestra
The New Century Ragtime Orchestra are closing our 2024 season. Since their formation in 1998 they have grown from an eight-