Tim Whitehead. Photo credit: Ida Hollis

Saxophonist Tim Whitehead can draw on over 30 years performing, composing and presenting jazz in UK and abroad, and an artistic drive to cross genre boundaries. In his new Thursday series “Sweet Thursday,” he will be presenting and performing in a programme of grass roots gigs which challenge categories, expectations. Tim writes:

What I want to do in this new series, called ‘Sweet Thursday’,is to mix music , the spoken word, and more, with an emphasis on the heart of jazz, improvisation, driving the programme, serving both the local community and a wider audience.There is an astonishing wealth of international London based artists whom I have worked with,plus young local talent already recognised.

Artists included in this series have, for example received the 2016 Glastonbury Festival Emerging Talent Award (Hattie Whitehead) , The Royal Academy Of Music (George Brown Griffiths) , and Google Sponsorship (Hattie Whitehead) .

We will be presenting and performing programmes mixing jazz with beatboxing and comedy, folk and roots opposite a two woman comedy/aerial /theatre show.

Then performers will come together and improvise a grand finale where unexpected mixes create new ideas in a spontaneous but relaxed atmosphere.I’ve noticed how audiences enjoy being part of something which they know hasn’t been done before that moment of performance.

 Entrance is £15 /£10 concessions/£5 members We are offering 3 months club membership for £30 including free entrance to the first gig. concessionary membership £20 including free entrance to first gig

SCHEDULE OF SWEET THURSDAY DATES

28th April “Brubecks Play Brubeck” 

Star tenor saxist Dave O’Higgins meets Tim and The Ram Jam Rhythm Section then jams with young faces on the jazz scene.

Hattie Whitehead

5th May Sisters On Stage 

2016 shortlisted Glastonbury Festival emerging talent award roots singer songwriter Hattie Whitehead vox/ guitar solo/duo with George Griffiths piano opposite aerialist/dancer/mime Maisie Whitehead with comic actor Beckie Moult in ‘Shebang’ (excerpts previewing new Brighton/Edinburgh Fringe Show)

12th May. Comic Licks 

Rising star comedian Milo McCabe vies with jazz trio Outram ,Fletcher and Whitehead (guitar, percussion and sax) ‘Riotous’ ***** (Scotsgay) ‘Masterclass in character comedy’ **** (EdfestMag.com).

19th May Memphis comes to Kingston

US jazz singer songwriter Charlie Wood Band “Charlie Wood is that rarest of combinations, a singer who’s as soulful as his songwriting is smart.”-Harry Shearer “I fell in love with this man’s voice the moment I heard it. He is the essence of soul and blues. I am so lucky to have sung on the same stage as him.” – Paloma Faith

26th May IAN SHAW and friends. 

MULTI-AWARD WINNING JAZZ SINGER AND COMEDIAN in one body

9th June GLASTONBURY ROOTS HATTIE WHITEHEAD BAND /ELLIE ROSE 

Solo 2016 Glastonbury Emerging Talent Award runner up Hattie Whitehead appears opposite her favourite singer 2015 Glastonbury “BBC Introducing” singer songwriter Ellie Rose. Future programme includes Stand-Up Poets, Painting Music , jazz and improvised theatre.

DETAILS: The Ram Jam Club 46 Richmond Rd, Kingston upon Thames KT2 5EE
 Doors 7.30pm performance 8.30pm Entrance £15 /£10 concessions/£5 members

Sweet Thursday Membership: 3 months membership £30 including free entrance to first gig concessionary membership £20 including free entrance to first gig

LINKS: Sweet Thursday Club
Tim Whitehead’s website