We are excited to announce a full program for 2025!
Jan 31st Nigel Price quintet featuring John Donaldson
UK renowned guitarist Nigel Price comes once again to St Andrews by popular demand! Nigel has been at the forefront of the British Jazz scene for several decades with his brilliant comping behind soloists and engaging improvisations that never fail to captivate an audience. His energy and charismatic stage presence is a perfect way to start our program for 2025. With Chris Coull (trumpet) Dan Shepard (bass) and Joe Edwards (drums)
February 7th Jim Mullen & Zoe Francis + Ross Stanley
A return to this dynamic partnership of Jim Mullen (guitar) and Zoe Francis (voice) with special guest, organist Ross Stanley. Jim is a stalwart of the British jazz scene and one of the most influential guitarists over the past 5 decades. Zoe Francis is a jazz singer with a flair for interpreting the American songbook in new and innovative ways. Both have worked alongside Ross Stanley for a number of years cultivating a repertoire of swing classics and fresh takes on jazz standards. They are joined by Chris Coull (trumpet) and Joe Edwards (drums)
Feb 14th Dave O’Higgins Quintet tribute to Benny Golson
The late and very great Benny Golson very sadly passed away last year and what better way to mark his remarkable career than a concert celebrating his distinctive jazz compositions. Revered by jazz musicians everywhere, Benny taught a very specific brand of post-bop harmony that encompassed modernism with melody – something the players in renowned London saxophonist Dave O’Higgins quintet have in abundance. They are joined by a debut for exciting young pianist Sean Fyfe who is grounded in the traditions of jazz luminaries like Bill Evans, Bobby Timmons, and Cedar Walton. Bassist Dominic Howles joins the group with Chris Coull (trumpet) and Matt Fishwick (Drums).
Feb 21st James Allsopp Quintet with Colin Oxley, guitar
Saxophonist James Allsopp has worked with legendary artists such as Django Bates, Jamie Cullum and Jorja Smith. Commenting on his project of Stan Getz, James says “There is so much fantastic repertoire of Getz; Lush ballads & bossa novas to swinging standards and bebop compositions. We have chosen a varied program reflecting this range of material and have interpreted the music respectfully but not reverentially, allowing it to breathe and feel natural for our time.” With Colin Oxley (guitar), Oli Hayhurst (double bass), Dave Storey (drums) and Chris Coull (trumpet).
March 7th Gordon Wellard Septet with Alan Barnes
Drummer Gordon Wellard brings his all-star seven piece group to St Andrews for the first time; regulars will be familiar with Alan Barnes (tenor sax) and Chris Coull (trumpet) plus new faces in the group; Nick Mills (trombone), Sam Braysher (alto sax), Nick Tomalin (piano) and Alex Keen (double bass). Gordon has a great Bluenote inspired repertoire to match the line-up, with classic numbers from the golden era of 1950’s and 60’s recordings.
March 14th Brighton Jazz Mafia Big Band
Alex Bondonno leads this 18 piece jazz big band comprised of top players from in and around Sussex. Previous outings here have been very popular, filling the church with the sounds of Basie, Ellington and Nestico, as well as more modern counterparts such as Gordon Goodwin and Oliver Nelson. Don’t miss this concert which will be abound with energy, sizzling high notes and a truly swinging affair!
March 21st Simon Woolf’s ‘YoungMasters’
Bassist Simon Woolf brings his Young Masters quintet to St Andrews in a programme that intersperses compositions by some of the jazz legends with whom he has played (Benny Golson, Harry Allen, Al Cohn) and his own tuneful originals. As the name suggests, the line up is made up of three young, up and coming players; Alto saxophonist Donovan Haffner, (recently graduated from the Royal Academy), Scottish pianist Fraser Urquhart (making waves since moving to London) and a familiar face in drummer, Joe Edwards. They are the perfect counterbalance to the more experienced Chris Coull (trumpet) and band leader, Simon Woolf.
March 28th Nick Tomalin’s Shades of Shearing,
Pianist Nick Tomalin’s quintet recreate the distinctive sound of the classic Shearing Quintet; the British pianist who found fame when he settled in the US in the late 1940s. Expect a mix of Shearing’s acclaimed compositions, lesser known gems and some originals inspired by Shearing’s music. Featuring Dominic Howles (bass), Matt Fishwick (drums) and Chris Coull (trumpet). The band also features a St Andrews favourite – vibraphonist, Nat Steele. The band launched their first CD ‘Shades of Shearing’ with a gig at Ronnie Scott’s in October 2024
April 4th Ralph Moore Quintet featuring Mark Edwards
Once in a while we are lucky to have a truly great master amongst our guests at St Andrews. And so it is with the titanic Ralph Moore – born in UK, Ralph grew up in the US and cut his teeth with such legends as Horace Silver, Freddie Hubbard and Dizzy Gillespie. A suitably esteemed rhythm section is in support in the form of Mark Edwards (piano), Simon Woolf (bass) as well as regulars Chris Coull (trumpet) and Joe Edwards (drums). Don’t miss this opportunity to watch one of the world’s most prominent jazz artists in action!
April 11th Sara Oschlag sings Porgy and Bess
Sara Oschlag is a singer originally from Denmark, but has been living in UK all of her adult life where she has fast gained a reputation for a sensational voice and deep knowledge of the vocal jazz lineage. Trumpeter Chris Coull has long wanted to put together a group to perform this musical work that seamlessly crosses the boundaries between classical and jazz by the maestro himself, George Gershwin. The rhythm section is Joss Peach (piano), George Trebar (bass) and Angus Bishop (drums).
April 25th Dominic Howles Septet; Tribute to Duke Pearson; Featuring Sammy Mayne, Dave O’Higgins & Mick Foster
This band came in June last year and I was so bowled over, we just had to get them back! Duke Pearson is one of the many underappreciated jazz greats; his writing for septet is superlative and this band get another chance to air his music. Dominic Howles (band leader and double bass), Chris Coull (trumpet), Sammy Mayne (alto sax and flute), Dave O’Higgins (tenor sax), Mick Foster (baritone sax and bass clarinet), Graham Harvey (piano) and Matt Fishwick (drums).
MAY – Brighton Fringe 2025 Jazz At St Andrews presents; The Greatest Jazz Albums Of All Time
May 2nd
“The Birth Of The Cool”; Brighton Fringe festival’s “The Greatest Jazz Albums Of All Time”. This iconic album, originally recorded by Miles Davis’ nine-piece group in 1949 both defined and changed the sound of jazz. Rarely heard with its original instrumentation, don’t miss this all-star cast coming together to perform it. Jim Rattigan (French horn), Alan Barnes (baritone sax), Andy Panayi (alto sax), Geoff Mason (trombone), Chris Coull (trumpet) Jeff Miller (tuba), John Donaldson (piano), George Trebar (double bass) and Joe Edwards (drums)
May 9th
“John Coltrane’s Blue Trane”; Brighton Fringe festival’s “The Greatest Jazz Albums Of All Time”. Coltrane burst onto the scene in the mid fifties and by the end of the decade was producing his best work as band leader. ‘Blue Trane’ stands out as a classic album under the famous BlueNote record label. Lovingly recreated by Coltrane devotee Josephine Davies (tenor sax), and original instrumentation of Mark Bassey (trombone), Chris Coull (trumpet), Tim Wells (piano), Nigel Thomas (double bass) and Angus Bishop (drums).
May 16th
“The Blues And The Abstract Truth” Brighton Fringe festival’s “The Greatest Jazz Albums Of All Time”. In the third of this five part series, one of the most beautifully crafted and unhackneyed pieces of music. Written and recorded in 1961, the album has been faithfully recreated with transcriptions from Andy Panayi (alto sax) and Chris Coull (trumpet). They are joined by Alan Barnes (baritone sax), Sammy Mayne (tenor sax), John Donaldson (piano), Paul Whitten (bass) and Joe Edwards (drums)
May 23rd
“Ellingtonia” Brighton Fringe festival’s “The Greatest Jazz Albums Of All Time”. Featuring UK legends Alan Barnes (alto sax and clarinet) and Bruce Adams (trumpet) together with musical arrangements by Chris Coull (trumpet) featuring works by the great Duke Ellington from his 1920’s Cotton Club beginnings through to post war sacred music. The septet also features one of the UK’s leading big band drummers; Pete Cater, as well as Terry Seabrook (piano), Dan Sheppard (bass) and special guest appearance by trombone virtuoso, Geoff Mason.
June 30th
“Kind Of Blue” Brighton Fringe festival’s “The Greatest Jazz Albums Of All Time”. Perhaps, or almost certainly, the very greatest of all jazz albums, ‘Kind Of Blue’ is a seminal recording by Miles Davis and has sold more than any other in history. Pianist Terry Seabrook lovingly reincarnates this famous recording alongside other works of Miles from the 50s and 60s. Tenor saxophonist, Josephine Davies takes the role of Coltrane, Andy Panayi plays the Cannonball part on alto sax, leaving Chris Coull to fill the shoes of the great man himself. The Rhythm section is completed by ex-Chet Baker bassist, Paul Whitten and Alex Pitt (drums).
June 6th Getz / Giberto – Featuring The Ela Southgate Six