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SPEAKEASY NIGHTS

"Intimate concerts in which Mike duets with musicians of the highest calibre from the world of jazz"

Mike's SpeakEasy Nights began more than a decade ago at Ilminster Arts Centre.  Latterly there have also been regular sessions at Dorchester Arts, Sherborne Cheap St church and from time to time (by request) at other venues.  The formula has proved very popular with audiences.... and highly enjoyable for the musicians! 

 

SpeakEasy Nights have featured many top musicians including (but not limited to!) Enrico Tomasso, Steve Graham, Ben Cummings (Trumpet), Trevor Whiting, Michael McQuaid, John Wurr, Mike Snelling, Pete Allen (Clarinet), Jim Fryer, Graham Hughes (Trombone), Spats Langham, Martin Wheatley (Banjo, Guitar), Mike Piggott, Emma Fisk, Chris Garrick (Violin).

"You certainly get your money's worth at these lovely concerts hosted by popular jazz pianist Mike Denham, who blends good music and fascinating anecdotes with appearances by extremely talented solo guest artists"

"Mike has a knack for forming a harmonic double act with performers of many kinds"

"The musical masterpiece that they created on this occasion will live forever with those lucky enough to have been there"

COMING UP:   (for contact details please see Diary page)

Julia Titus, Steve Graham

Wed 15 Nov - Uffculme Magelake Pavilion

Julia is an actress, poet, singer and songwriter. Among her talents is the ability and verve to put over convincingly the songs of the great blues & vaudeville singer of the 1920s, Bessie Smith.

 

The phenomenal Ma Bessie, Empress of the Blues, recorded many discs with piano and trumpet backing.  Here's a chance to hear that combination, with accompaniment provided by Mike and Steve Graham.

Mike Piggott, Spats Langham

Fri 8 Dec - Sherborne
Cheap Street Church

A Christmas Tree Festival event!

 

Mike welcomes two guests from the top of the jazz tree, both of whom revel in the jazz of the 1920s and 30s.

Piggott plays hot swing violin and guitar, Langham shines on vocals, guitar, banjo,    

Mike Denham solo

Sat 20 Jan - Oundbury, Dorchester
Brownsword Hall

A return to this fine hall, for a solo programme "From Jelly Roll to Rock'n'Roll". 

 

Tracing the course of jazz piano from rags, through blues and boogie woogie to the start of the rock era. 

Scott Joplin, Fats Waller, Jelly Roll Morton, Albert Ammons, Fats Domino and others

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Mike Denham solo

Wed 7 Feb - Dorchester
Corn Exchange
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“RAGTIME PRODUCES HYSTERIA, INSANITY – ragtime is not music, it is a disease” claims doctor.
This ragtime-era headline celebrated the world’s first pop music craze, 100 years ago.  Scott Joplin, the son of a slave, became the greatest of ragtime composers.

Great melodies, great stories about the musicians and the lives they led and, of course, that seductive ragtime rhythm.

 

A late morning 1 hour concert promoted by Dorchester Arts

Michael McQuaid

Wed 28 Feb - Cheap Street Church, Sherborne

Michael McQuaid is one of a younger generation of musicians enthusiastically devoted to jazz and swing from the 1920s and 30s.  He plays with remarkable energy, skill and originality. He performs on clarinet, saxophones, trumpet and even occasionally piano.  Originally from Melbourne, Australia, he has established an international reputation.

McQuaid has toured the world as a featured artist and bandleader. He has performed with the contemporary greats of 1920s and 1930s jazz – Keith Nichols, Vince Giordano, Bob Wilber, Spats Langham, Andy Schumm, Bob Barnard, Jon-Erik Kellso, Martin Litton, Bent Persson, Duke Heitger, Geoff Bull, Josh Duffee and many more.

 

‘A rare talent!’ (Kevin Jones, Australian jazz writer)

‘A first-class jazz improviser…’ (Michael Steinman, Jazz Lives, New York, US)

Trevor Whiting

Fri 15 March - Tincleton Gallery near Dorchester

Trevor Whiting is one of the finest clarinettists on the UK jazz scene and, not surprisingly, he is first choice for several London-based ensembles.

However, Trevor lives in Dorset and describes Tincleton Gallery as one of his favourite venues.  Expect to hear this reflected in his playing as he and Mike explore the repertoire from Sidney Bechet to Benny Goodman, with several stops between. 

 

Very well-received by full house in 2022.  Different programme this time, same great music!

Julian Phillips

Sat 16 March - Tincleton Gallery near Dorchester
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Ragtime Meets Boogie - solos and duets

International blues and boogie woogie star Julian Phillips joins Mike to explore these two remarkable, contrasting piano styles which both emerged in the early 20th C.

Julian has a great reputation for his wide and varied repertoire, playing in a truly authentic way.  He appears at festivals around Europe and the USA, alongside other top performers in the genre.

 

"We absolutely loved the gig"  

"I was seriously impressed by the quality of the performance"

"Those boys made that Steinway bounce!"

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