Randolph Matthews & Nicolas Meier’s unique, genre-crossing vocal/guitar jazz empathy has cast its passionate musical spell around the world, capturing the hearts of lovers, the respect of jazz buffs, & the jaw-dropping awe of guitarists and singers.
“Cinematic vocal jazz” - The Guardian
This evening’s concert is a very special performance celebrating the joint 50th birthday of these two great artists, With the wonderful Demi Garcia on percussion, and Marianne Windham on bass
Don’t miss it!
EVENT INFO
The performance is upstairs in Guildford Pavilion, The Sports Ground, Woodbridge Road, Guildford GU1 4RP
Please note there are no physical tickets, just give your name on the door when you arrive. There’ll be seating reserved for you.
Doors open from 7pm, supper served from 7.15pm, and the performance starts at 8pm. There will be an interval and there is a licensed bar. Seating is cabaret style and there is a lift for disabled access.
Pre-gig Smooth as Butter Menu from Mandira’s Kitchen :
Spinach & Onion Pakoras (Served with a mint raita)
Butter Chicken or Paneer (Boneless chicken or paneer in a slightly spicy butterygravy)
Saffron Rice
If you have any questions please contact us by emailing info@guildfordjazz.org.uk
TICKETS
Full Price £20 /Guildford Jazz members £18
Students £7 / Student Members £5
Meals £13
WHO'S PLAYING?
RANDOPLH MATTHEWS - VOCALS
Randolph Matthews, the acclaimed British jazz vocalist, has garnered high praise from respected music critics and industry experts. Songlines lauded him as a "stunning, McFerrin-esque talent," while The Guardian described his sound as "cinematic vocal jazz." Jazz FM praised Randolph's "dazzling improvisational skills" and deemed him "flawless and world-class."
With a career spanning 25 years, Randolph has collaborated with an impressive roster of artists, including jazz luminaries Herbie Hancock, Richard Bona, Bill Frisell, and Will I am as well as Mulatu Astatke, Sean Kuti, Ashley Henry, Angelique Kidjo, Terry Callier, and others from across Europe, Central Africa, and America.
As Randolph celebrates his 50th birthday this year, he is set to release and tour his new album, Transcendence, featuring the atmospheric support of a band consisting of Alcyona Mick on piano and Andy Hamill on bass. He has established himself as one of the UK's leading contemporary vocalists and performers, with his compositions reflecting a range of musical styles, from classical to African/Caribbean rhythms, to jazz and choral.
And what a wonderful person! Check out his inspiring visit to a school here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7CILHQROxE
“The rich enveloping world of Randolph Matthews.” Jazzwise.
“A stunning, McFerrin-esque talent.” Songlines.
“Dazzling improvisational skills. Flawless and world class.” Jazz FM.
NICOLAS MEIER - GUITAR
Also celebrating his 50th birthday this year, guitarist Nicolas Meier has carved a reputation out as one of the world’s most original and uniquely talented guitarists. Drawing from a love of Turkish, Eastern & Middle Eastern music, Flamenco, Tango and more — all mixed with jazz — Meier’s versatility and musical fluency extends well beyond that, even. (… so much so, that his considerable talents drew the attention of rock guitar legend, Jeff Beck, who made Nicolas a mainstay in The Jeff Beck Group — carrying him on two world tours during the course of the last several years.
Well known and well loved by local audiences, we are dlighted to welcome Nicolas and Randolph for a joint birthday celebration concert!
“Meier’s scintillating playing on assorted fretted and fretless guitars is sometimes reminiscent of Metheny or McLaughlin but with a highly melodic, pan-Mediterranean eclecticism of his own…” Jim Gilchrist (Scotsman4/5*)
“Nicolas Meier is one of the most virtuoso artists on the acoustic guitar” Roland Leicht www.prog-rock.inforaser
DEMI GARCIA - DRUMS & PERCUSSION
MARIANNE WINDHAM - BASS
The founder and driving force behind Guildford Jazz, Marianne started her musical life playing cello, taking up playing bass more recently. In 2011 she left a successful career in software consultancy to pursue learning bass full time and has since become well established on the scene and has performed with many of the UK’s leading jazz musicians including Alan Barnes, Steve Waterman, Mark Nightingale, Sara Dowling, Derek Nash, Dave O’Higgins and many others. She also chairs Fleet Jazz Club, and has a busy schedule performing both locally and at clubs and festivals around the country. “A valuable player… Brown-like musicality and drive” - Peter Vacher, Jazzwise
DIRECTIONS
The performance is upstairs in the Pavilion building at the Guildford County Cricket Club, The Sports Ground, Woodbridge Road, Guildford GU1 4RP
For sat navs please check the postcode takes you to Wharf Road. There’s a car park alongside, entry from Wharf Road. If you’re approaching from Guildford town centre, Wharf Road is on the left just before the Sports Ground. If you’re approaching from the A3/Ladymead there’s no right turn into Wharf Road, but continue to the next roundabout to double back.
If the car park’s full (please only park in marked bays to leave room for emergency access), there are a few parking bays along Wharf Road which you can use after 7pm, also along the Woodbridge Road on the left as you come from the Town centre.
The overflow car park at the far end of the cricket pitch will also be open unless it’s very wet. Turn left as you come out of Wharf Road and carry on along Woodbridge Road towards the railway bridge, and the entrance to the ground is just before the end of the green fence that runs along the perimeter of the ground, next to the Woodbridge Café.
There’s also a larger public car park at the open air Mary Road Car Park (GU1 4QU) or multi-storey Bedford Road Car Park (GU1 4SJ), which is about 10 minutes walk away.
SEATING
Seating is either in front row settees/armchairs, central round tables, or rear high chairs/tables. Seats will be reserved for you when you book. If you’re a Guildford Jazz member, please let us know if you have a seating preference in on the booking form. Notes on the layout:
Front row: Seats 1, 3 and 4 are 3-seater settees, and seats 2 and 5 are pairs of armchairs.
Middle tables: Tables 6 to 23 and 32 are small tables , each seating 4 (for bookings of 1 or 2 seats, we’ll seat you at a table with others, please let us know if you have friends coming who you’d like to sit with!).
Rear tables: Tables 24 to 29 are tall tables suitable for 2 people, with high stools.
Tables 30 and 31 are lower square tables seating 3 or can be put togther for a group of 8
Groups: Table 33 is suitable for a large group of 8 (or a cozy 10!)