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 details of these gigs, please see Diary page)
Julian Phillips
Wed 10 Sept'25 - Buckland Newton
Sun 5 Oct'25 - Bridport
St Swithun's
Fri 14 November'25 - Ilminster
Arts Centre
Ragtime Meets Boogie - solos and duets
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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!"
Pete Allen
Wed 8 Oct'25 - Sherborne
Cheap Street Church
The French Connection
Clarinet/sax player Pete Allen has a particular affinity with the music of New Orleans jazzman Sidney Bechet. Bechet cemented his reputation in France, a country Pete has toured many times. Tonight, with Mike Denham at the grand piano, the programme will feature famous numbers, and less well-known ones, from that period.
A soloist and successful professional band leader for 45 years, Pete has consistently delivered high quality, entertaining traditional jazz. He is an Honorary Citizen of New Orleans, the cradle of jazz. Not many British musicians can say that! He has made many TV appearances, and over the years played alongside USA jazz legends including Billy Butterfield, Benny Waters, Peanuts Hucko and Bob Wilber, and UK jazz stars Kenny Ball, Acker Bilk, George Chisholm, Tommy Burton, Beryl Bryden and more.
Mike Denham solo
Fri 24 Oct'25 - West Knigton near Dorchester
St Peter's Church
A return to this lovely little church, this time for a solo programme:
"From Jelly Roll to Rock'n'Roll".
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Tracing the course of jazz piano from rags, through blues and boogie woogie to the start of the rock era.
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Scott Joplin, Fats Waller, Jelly Roll Morton, Albert Ammons, Fats Domino and others
Julia Titus, Steve Graham
Sun 26 Nov'25 - Westonzoyland
St Mary's Church
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.
Julia also loves to sing spirituals and this is the perfect setting for that.
Accompaniment provided by Mike and Steve Graham on trumpet.
Enrico Tomasso
Tue 18 Nov'25 - Dorchester
Dorchester Arts Centre
A world-class player, Enrico Tomasso is known for his performances at prestigious UK and European jazz festivals and clubs, captivating audiences with his talent and his entertaining stage presence.
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As a young boy Rico met and played with trumpet legend Louis Armstrong, who became his greatest inspiration. It is no accident that he has won the British Jazz Awards "best trumpeter" five times in the last decade or so! He says:
"What I enjoy is playing different gigs with different styles. It keeps me fresh, and I consider it a privilege to be able to express myself as an artist and create something new”
Rico's previous appearances as Mike's SpeakEasy guest have been special occasions, and this one promises to be no exception.
Emma Fisk
Thu 26 Feb'26 - Dorchester
Dorchester Arts Centre
Fri 27 Feb'26 - Ilminster
Ilminster Arts Centre
Visiting from the North East, Emma Fisk is one of the UK's leading jazz violinists. She has a delightful personality and is equally at home with Hot Club jazz, swing and ragtime. Don't miss the opportunity to hear her perform here in the South West!
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"a violinist with a dark rich tone, a love for melody, and a way of swinging without being syrupy"
Michael Steinman, Jazz Lives
Spats Langham
Fri 13 and Sat 14 Mar'26 - near Dorchester
Tincleton Gallery
Tom "Spats" Langham is arguably the UK's leading jazz entertainer. He has performed 1920s and ‘30s jazz all over the world, as a soloist and with top bands including The Pasadena Roof Orchestra and Chris Barber. He is renowned as one of the world’s finest banjo and guitar players, and his superb vocals are delivered in a style reminiscent of Bing Crosby and Al Bowlly.
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Spats is an entertaining raconteur and his love for vintage jazz shines out in every performance.
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A chance to hear him in this delightful, intimate venue. And there's a ragtime era Steinway grand for Mike to enjoy.
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RECENT:
Spats Langham
7 Mar'25 - Ilminster
Ilminster Arts Centre
Tom "Spats" Langham is arguably the UK's leading jazz entertainer. He has performed 1920s and ‘30s jazz all over the world, as a soloist and with top bands including The Pasadena Roof Orchestra and Chris Barber. He is renowned as one of the world’s finest banjo and guitar players, and his superb vocals are delivered in a style reminiscent of Bing Crosby and Al Bowlly.
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Spats is an entertaining raconteur and his love for vintage jazz shines out in every performance.
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Mike and Spats have duetted together on several occasions (notably whilst entertaining guests on a hotel barge floating down the River Seine).
A large audience enjoyed their last appearance at this venue. And there's a fine Steinway grand for Mike to enjoy.
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Pete Allen
Thu 17 Oct'24 - Dorchester
Dorchester Arts, the Corn Exchange
The French Connection
Clarinet/sax player Pete Allen has a particular affinity with the music of New Orleans jazzman Sidney Bechet. Bechet cemented his reputation in France, a country Pete has toured many times. Tonight, with Mike Denham at the grand piano, the programme will feature famous numbers, and less well-known ones, from that period.
A soloist and successful professional band leader for 45 years, Pete has consistently delivered high quality, entertaining traditional jazz. He is an Honorary Citizen of New Orleans, the cradle of jazz. Not many British musicians can say that! He has made many TV appearances, and over the years played alongside USA jazz legends including Billy Butterfield, Benny Waters, Peanuts Hucko and Bob Wilber, and UK jazz stars Kenny Ball, Acker Bilk, George Chisholm, Tommy Burton, Beryl Bryden and more.
Ben Cummings
Wed 25 Sept'24 - Sherborne
Cheap Street Church
World-class trumpet
Ben Cummings has played and recorded at top level in almost every genre from New Orleans and vintage jazz to soul, salsa and pop.
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The evening's theme: Jazz Age Chicago, revisiting the music of the youngsters of the day: Louis Armstrong, Bix Beiderbecke, Earl Hines, Jimmy Yancey
Trevor Whiting
Fri 20 Sept'24 - Ilminster
Ilminster Arts Centre
Sat 21 Sept'24 - West Knighton nr Dorchester
St Peter's Church
AND
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.
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He and Mike explore the repertoire from Sidney Bechet to Benny Goodman, with several stops between.
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Julian Phillips
Sat 16 March'24 - Tincleton Gallery
near Dorchester
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!"
Trevor Whiting
Fri 15 March'24 - 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.
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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!
John Maddocks, Nick Ward
Wed 10 July'24 - Sherborne
Cheap Street Church
John Maddocks is one of the most popular clarinettists on the British traditional jazz scene. Initially inspired by New Orleans men George Lewis and Johnny Dodds, he developed his own unique style. His Black Bottom Stompers enjoyed huge success in London and since then he has led his south coast based Jazzmen to great acclaim.
Mike and John will be joined by the UK's leading exponent of vintage jazz drumming, Nick Ward - affording the not-to-be missed opportunity to revisit some of the Trio recordings of one of Mike's heroes, Jelly Roll Morton
Michael McQuaid
Wed 28 Feb'24 - 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.
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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)
Mike Denham solo
Sat 20 Jan'24 - Poundbury, 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.
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Scott Joplin, Fats Waller, Jelly Roll Morton, Albert Ammons, Fats Domino and others
Mike Piggott, Spats Langham
Fri 8 Dec'23 - 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.
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Piggott plays hot swing violin and guitar, Langham shines on vocals, guitar, banjo,
Julia Titus, Steve Graham
Wed 15 Nov'23 - 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.