Sensational vocalist VIMALA ROWE joins guitar legend JOHN ETHERIDGE, with his the Blue Spirits Trio featuring Pete Whittaker on organ, George Double on drums. and Marianne guesting on bass.

John Etheridge's reputation in the jazz world cannot be overstated. A genuinely virtuosic fusion guitarist, Etheridge is one of a handful of players who can claim to have helped shape the character of modern jazz guitar. He has been described by fellow fretsman Pat Metheny as 'one of the best guitarists in the world', and The Blue Spirits Trio came about through John’s love of electric guitar and organ combined, and a desire for a vehicle for the bluesier side of John’s playing. There are plenty of typical swing elements, augmented by soulful ballads, fiery funk outings all presented with warm humour by John. The band has been popular on the club circuit for many years and always delivers.

John Etheridge and Vimala Rowe scored a resounding critical success with their album ‘Out of the Sky’ ,which was in the Top Ten Critic’s lists for 2016 in both the Guardian and Sunday Times. Vimala is a sensational singer who has mesmerised audiences since she emerged a few years ago and has the same wide ranging skills and tastes as John They are ideal partners, alike in their search for musical adventure and authenticity.

Their last visit to Guildford in January 2023 was a complete sell-out - not to be missed!

Pre gig menu from Mandira’s Kitchen (please see the Event Info tab for the menu)

Please click the tabs for more information

• EVENT INFO
• TICKETS
• WHO'S PLAYING?
• DIRECTIONS
• SEATING

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 and supper available from 7pm, performance 8pm to about 10:15pm (with interval). Licensed bar. Seating is cabaret style and there is a lift for disabled access.

Pre-gig Menu from Mandira’s Kitchen: (please select chicken or vegetarian )

TICKETS

Full Price £20 /Guildford Jazz Members £18

Students £7 / Student Members £5

Meals £15.50 (please note the new price)

WHO'S PLAYING?

john Etheridge

“No doubting his awesome authority when he touches the guitar” – The Guardian

John Etheridge rightly enjoys a glowing reputation throughout the jazz world and beyond and has been described by Pat Metheny as, “One of the best guitarists in the world”. He is a prodigiously gifted and creative player whose approach to music can only be described as eclectic, his range being well illustrated by his years of touring and recording with Stephane Grappelli while simultaneously doing likewise with the legendary jazz-fusion group, The Soft Machine.

"I never wanted to be a star, just a highly respected musician like John Etheridge" Sting (THE GUARDIAN 1981)

VIMALA ROWE

A Fortuitous meeting in North London brought together legendary guitar veteran John Etheridge and extravagantly talented singer Vimala Rowe, who have developed a highly personal repertoire from an eclectic mix of musics – original and traditional. Both performers have a protean range of influences. Etheridge has over the years worked in contexts from Classical, Jazz to Progressive Rock, whereas Rowe’s span seems almost instinctive – effortlessly absorbing and blending the worlds of all the great soul and jazz singers into a personal mix including Indian Classical, African Folk and Syriac Aramaic.

One of the defining features of the duo’s work is the commitment and passion of their delivery. Rowe is a fiery performer by any standards- yet the paring down to just two produces intimacy and drama alike. Explosive but chambered. The big effect and the delicate gesture. The pieces are carefully chosen to surprise, but above all to take the listener on an emotional journey through joy and pain, sombre or swinging. There’s dark and light. A real musical journey.

“Rowe…A captivating and seemingly effortless soulful voice” KISS FM

pete Whittaker - organ

In a style that draws from Blues, Gospel, Funk as well as Bebop Pete has featured with many of the UK’s top jazz musicians especially in the organ/guitar/drums trio line-up. As such, he aims for a style which is improvisatory and expressive, but firmly tied to an all-pervading groove.

“Pete Whittaker, an object lesson in soulfulness” LONDON JAZZ NEWS

George Double - drums

A favourite with Guildford Jazz audiences, George's playing and recording credits include Dame Shirley Bassey, Grammy Award Winner Jack Jones, Marc Almond, Mica Paris, Ruthie Henshall and Kym Mazelle. His West End and touring theatre record includes stints on Wicked, Guys and Dolls, Avenue Q, Sinatra and Anything Goes.

He is active on the British jazz scene and appears regularly at Ronnie Scott’s club in London and elsewhere as a freelancer (with Chris Ingham, John Etheridge, Art Themen, Digby Fairweather, Derek Nash and many others). He is also curator of Hadleigh and Southwold Jazz Clubs.

“Swinging, pithy and unerringly apt” - MOJO Magazine

Marianne Windham - bass

Guildford Jazz anchor Marianne Windham completes the lineup on double bass

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.

The car park next to the Pavilion holds about 40 cars (to enable emergency access, cars can only park in the marked bays). Unless it’s very wet, the overflow car park at the far end of the Cricket ground will be open.

To access the overflow car park, 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.

You might prefer to use one of the larger public car parks which are just a few minutes walk away: the open air Mary Road Car Park (GU1 4QU) or multi-storey Bedford Road Car Park (GU1 4SJ)

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 to 5 are sofas or 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.

Groups: Table 31 and 32 are suitable for larger group of 6 or more

High stools : 30 and 34 are single high stools (no table) , suitable for 1 to 3 people