Simon Beresford writes:

Peckham Pandemonium is a new jazz night at the Peckham Liberal Club. I was inspired by Humphrey Lyttelton, who in the 1940s drew major-league international jazz talent to this working-class borough to help it rise out of wartime austerity. I see the same negativity in pockets of Peckham, and wanted to bring quality jazz to the area, and something fabulous into a venue that’s become very run-down.

I’ve been obsessed with jazz since I was 13. I used to busk in Covent Garden with my spoons, and one day Alan Cooper, founder of the Temperance Seven, stopped and asked me to play a gig with him. After that, I spent years meeting jazz musicians and playing all over the world.

The musicians I’ve lined up for our launch are the best I’ve ever played with. They’re all at the top of the game, the very best in Britain and even Europe. To get them all under one roof on one night is a logistical feat!

Guitarist Francesco Lo Castro is the lynchpin of the band, very emotional and sensitive, a beautiful and inspiring player. Nick Pini, on double bass, is the rock of the band – he’s creative, he plays session, he keeps the whole thing together, even for me as a drummer. Roberto Manzin on sax is terrifying to play with! There’s nothing abstract or background about him – he’s a purist, a total artist. Jay Phelps is the most charismatic, sophisticated young trumpet player around – he’s a legend. We have fantastic guest singers –  Raïssa Botterman, a rising star who trained at Les Ateliers de la Chanson in Brussels, and Karen Lane, who has a beautiful moody voice and has sung with the band over the years. We also have the incredible Count Indigo coming to MC and sing.

Peckham All Stars

Jay Phelps – trumpet
Roberto Manzin – saxophone
Francesco Lo Castro – guitar
Nick Pini – double bass
Simon Beresford – drums and spoons
Raïssa Botterman – guest vocals
Karen Lane – guest vocals
Count Indigo – MC and guest vocals

PECKHAM PANDEMONIUM

Peckham Liberal Club
24 Elm Grove, SE15 5DE

Tuesday 25 June 2013, 7pm till late. The organizers are expecting a full house, and hoping to start holding this night on a regular basis after the summer break, from September

Tickets £5 from Review Bookshop, Bellenden Lane / 07449 535128