Presented by Norden Farm Jazz Club.
Simon Spillett (tenor sax)
Alex Hutton (piano)
Alec Dankworth (bass)
Clark Tracey (drums)
Over his twenty five year career Simon Spillett has worn almost as many hats as it's possible to wear within jazz; multi-award-winning instrumentalist (BBC Jazz Awards, British Jazz Awards, Jazz Journal's Album of The Year), quartet and big band leader, recording artist, author, historian, record producer, archivist, magazine columnist and latterly blogger.
However, for all these varied skills he identifies most strongly as a powerfully swinging, straight ahead tenor saxophonist, one capable of taking the audiences who hear him on a roller coaster ride encompassing everything from energetic bebop to heartfelt balladry.
And it’s in this guise that he’s become a solid fixture on the UK jazz landscape, regularly playing sold out gigs at major festivals (EFG London Jazz Festival, Brecon, Swanage, Scarborough, Wigan etc.) and world famous club venues (Ronnie Scott’s).
A charismatic performer, gifted with a dry observational wit, he’s never lost sight of the fact that jazz is entertainment as much as self-expression and whether playing, writing or articulately holding forth on his favourite subject UK jazz history – he’s an infectiously passionate communicator.
Norden Farm Patrons, Bronze, Sliver and Gold Members can click here to login for Priority Booking.
Studio
£17.50
Presented by Norden Farm Jazz Club.
Adam Glasser (harmonica)
South African harmonica player, pianist and educator Adam Glasser has an international reputation as an exponent of township jazz on the chromatic harmonica and piano.
One of the UK’s top session harmonica players Adam has performed with Sting, Eurythmics, Incognito, Joe Zawinul and recorded for many film composers from Debbie Wiseman to Howard Shore. From live Orchestral performances, (London Symphony Orchestra, Royal Northern Sinfonia), to Theatre productions include Midsummer Night’s Dream (Shakespeare’s Globe). His career has been profound.
Tonight’s concerts will focus on his love of the Great American songbook as well as some South African songs. It will be a special evening.
Norden Farm Patrons, Bronze, Sliver and Gold Members can click here to login for Priority Booking.
Studio
£17.50
Critically acclaimed Italian vocalist Irene Serra (Wynton Marsalis, Norma Winstone, US3) and guitarist Luca Boscagin (Jason Rebello, Cinematic Orchestra, Jim Mullen) have joined forces on this album launch to release a special recording called The Great British Songbook.
Brought together by their passion for British pop music, they have handpicked some of the most loved songs by famous British singers and songwriters of the last 70 years and created fresh-sounding, unique arrangements. From The Beatles to Sting, Massive AWack and Imogen Heap, this evening will be a celebration of the most defining songs of the British pop-rock music scene reimagined through their signature groovy sound.
They will be joined by world class musicians Andy Hamill on bass (Mark Murphy, Laura Mvula, Annie Lennox), and Fergus Gerrand on drums and percussions (Madonna, Mike Oldfield, Sting).
Irene Serra (vocals)
Luca Boscagin (guitar)
Andy Hamill (double bass)
Fergus Gerrand (drums)
'Sublime vocals' Jazz FM
'Irene Serra has a strong stage presence and a compelling vocal tone, which she uses to great effect' Jazzwise
'Serra’s voice is graceful and sensual' All About Jazz
Studio
£17.50
Insta ireneserramusic
Fb Irene Serra Music
Presented by Norden Farm Jazz Club.
Freddie Gavita (Trumpet / Flugelhorn)
Winner of the British Jazz Awards Best Trumpeter of 2017, Freddie has cemented his place as a leading light on the British Jazz scene. With the release of his debut album Transient in April 2017, his star is certainly on the rise.
He is a member of the Ronnie Scott’s Club Quintet and jazz-rock outfit Fletch’s Brew as well as being a band leader in his own right. A fearless improviser, he solos with fluent authority, his tone ranging from the warmly conversational to the eloquently strident.
Recent career highlights include three Proms performances at the Royal Albert Hall, appearing as the featured soloist at Cadagon Hall playing the music of Miles Davis and Gil Evans, and stepping into Herb Alpert’s shoes for the recent BBC 2 broadcast from Ronnie Scott’s commemorating the music of Burt Bacharach. Freddie has played with, among others, Peter Erskine, Joe Locke, John Hendricks, Kenny Wheeler, Stan Sulzmann, Tim Garland, Jon Faddis, Gregory Porter, Curtis Stigers, Paloma Faith, Jess Glynne, Seth McFarlane and Dionne Warwick.
Studio
£17.50
Norden Farm Patrons, Bronze, Sliver and Gold Members can click here to login for Priority Booking.
Presented by Norden Farm Jazz Club.
Paul Booth (tenor sax / soprano sax)
Alex Hutton (piano)
Laurence Cottle (electric bass)
Tbc (drums)
From his early acclaim as a prize-winning saxophonist, Paul Booth has continually refined and expanded his talents as a solo artist, composer, arranger and bandleader, whilst establishing an elite reputation as a first-call sideman for major contemporary music artists.
Paul was born in the North East of England, and as a young boy started playing music with his father in the clubs and bars of Southern Spain where the family were temporarily residing. On his return home, he discovered the local jazz scene and fell in love with the music and the art of improvisation. As a homeschooled child he was able to fit all his studies around music, enabling him to sit his GCSE and A-Level exams early. He won a place at the Royal Academy of Music in 1993 at the age of 16, becoming their youngest student on a degree course. That year Paul also won the Best Modern Jazz Player category at the televised Young Jazz Player of the Year.
Over the next four years at the Academy, Paul combined his studies with gigs in London and across the UK, that included a long association with Colombian percussionist Roberto Pla and a partnership with pianist Alex Wilson that’s still going strong. During his third year, Paul won the prestigious Clifford Brown / Stan Getz Fellowship in Miami USA, and spent a six month exchange in Perth at the Western Australia Academy of Performing Arts. Following his graduation in 1997, Paul immersed himself in the world of the professional musician. He eventually joined the European Glenn Miller Orchestra for eight tours, before landing the saxophone chair for the worldwide smash hit show, Riverdance, staying for eighteen months. In 2005 Paul toured the US and Japan with Basia and Matt Bianco, and soon after received the call from Steve Winwood with whom he has been working ever since.
In 2004 Paul released his first solo album It’s Happening’ which was followed by the albums No Looking Back (2007), Pathways (2009) and Trilateral (2011) Patchwork Project (2015). All of which were extremely well received available through his own Pathway Records label.
Paul’s ability to blend into any musical surrounding coupled with his talents as a multi-instrumentalist has led to him being regularly chosen to perform with many well-known artists. Paul has toured, performed and recorded around the world with The Eagles, Eric Clapton, Steely Dan, Carlos Santana, Van Morrison, The Allman Brothers Band, Bonnie Raitt, Chaka Khan, Kylie Mingoue, Jamiroquai, Gregory Porter, Barry Manilow, Warren Haynes, Marti Pellow, Derek Trucks, Eddie Henderson, Geoffrey Keezer, Clarence Penn and Ingrid Jensen. He has worked with Incognito, Brand New Heavies, The BBC Big Band, Michael Janisch Quintet and the Ryan Quigley Quintet and so many more.
Studio
£17.50
Norden Farm Patrons, Bronze, Sliver and Gold Members can click here to login for Priority Booking.
Insta paulboothmusic
Fb Paul Booth Music
Led by Creative Eye
Norden Farm's Crafternoons are relaxed crafting sessions for older people.
Get crafty with a range of activities, or bring along your own projects to work on with support from tutor Kayleigh Robinson.
You can learn new skills, meet new people and try something new, a cup of tea is included with the ticket price. Come either Tuesday or Wednesday and join in that week's craft. If you are unable to attend in person you can log on from home to chat and join in the session.
Spring Season
Tues 11 Mar - Felt Keyring / Brooch
Tues 18 Mar - Woven Basket
Tues 25 Mar - Wool Hoop Art
Tues 1 Apr - Book Folded Sheep
Tues 8 Apr - Fabric Flower
Tues 15 Apr - Cube Bunny
Tues 22 Apr - Embossed Foil Decorations
Tues 29 Apr - Iris Paper Folding
Summer
Tues 6 May - Stencilled Hoop Art
Tues 13 May - Cupcake Case Flowers
Tues 20 May - No Session
Tues 27 May - Abstract Square Art
Tues 3 Jun - Glass Magnets
Tues 10 Jun - Mini Decoupage Sign
Tues 17 Jun - Quilling
Tues 24 Jun - Yarn Wrapped Vases / Jars
Tues 1 Jul - Dotty Tote Bags
Tues 8 Jul - Dried Flower Art
Tues 15 Jul - Wood Slice Nail Art
Tues 22 Jul - No Session
Tues 29 Jul - Bird Seed Ornaments
Tues 5 Aug - Yarn Canvas Art
Tues 12 Aug - Air Dry Clay Candle Holder
Social Arts Crafternoons is a partially funded project run by Norden Farm with support from The Berkshire Community Foundation.
Local transport can be provided as part of the ticket price for those attending on a Wednesday.
If you need transport to Norden Farm for the Wednesday sessions please contact Jess Thompson at jess.thompson@nordenfarm.org / 01628 682563 to talk through your requirements.
Suitable for ages 60+ years.
2pm - 3pm
£6.50 per session, including a cup of tea
Led by Seann Wilkinson
A non-audition community choir open to all. Working on everything from Madonna to Les Mis, from gospel to pop - this is an opportunity to meet people, learn some harmonies and sing your hearts out. No experience required. Enthusiasm absolutely necessary!
Spring
Tues 14 Jan - 1 Apr (excl 18 Feb)
7.30pm – 9pm
Summer
Tues 22 Apr - 22 Jul (excl 27 May)
7.30pm – 9pm
£11 per session | £130 per 13 week term
Led by Julie Potter
This class is particularly suited to beginners, those returning to yoga having had a break, those with specific injuries or conditions or even those that consider themselves to be of a certain age that might need a less challenging approach. We will cover general breathing practises, the basic and gentler postures, together with general information and possible discussion around movement and the potential difficulties we might come up against.
The aim will be to relax and enjoy.
The yoga I teach is an evolution of nearly 30 years of practice and study, with a broad experience of many styles and teachers. In recent years I have been moving away from ‘external’ evaluation of the postures and moving towards an internal sense of the postures, moving away from the more used traditional approach of systemised yoga to a more experiential and felt approach, influenced by teachers who have been inspired by the teachings of Vanda Scaravelli.
Please bring a blanket, a Yoga / Pilates mat, and wear loose comfortable clothing
Spring
Wed 19 Feb - 19 Mar (5 weeks)
Wed 26 Mar - 30 Apr (5 weeks)
Summer
Wed 7 May - 11 Jun (6 weeks)
Wed 18 Jun - 23 Jul (6 weeks)
Please note that Susan Bett will be covering the session on Wed 16 Apr. The sessions on Wed 11 and 18 Jun will also be covered by a different teacher.
11am - 12.15pm
£12 per session | £60 per 6 week course
This class will take place both in person and online via Zoom.
You will find the link to access the session in your booking confirmation email.
Led by Emma Duncan
In each session children take part in a series of drama games and activities that develop their confidence as well as teaching them drama skills. These include focus, communication, developing a character and voice projection.
As the weeks go on the group will each have a part with some lines to learn in a small-scale show. They will rehearse as a team and share what they have learnt during the last session, more details to follow on this after half term.
Suitable for school years 2 - 6.
'Norden Farm is my favourite after school club, it always keeps me moving and relaxed. It is a great place to go for drama and within a short time, I have become far more confident and expressive' Timothy, age 7
'We have sent both of our children to Youth Theatre at Norden Farm and have seen dramatic improvements in there ability, confidence, social awareness and expressiveness generally and specifically. The environment is safe and developmental in a broad and exciting sense' Alex - parent
Summer
Wed 30 Apr - Wed 23 Jul
5pm - 6.30pm
Junior Youth Theatre Booking Form
'The youth theatre is a nice place and I’ve only been here a short time and I Love it!' Junior Youth Theatre Student
'It is cool and welcoming' Junior Youth Theatre Student
'The youth theatre is one of the most professional classes I’ve enrolled in' Junior Youth Theatre Student
'The youth theatre is one of the best drama clubs, everyone is so friendly and we do amazing games' Junior Youth Theatre Student
'We have absolutely loved the drama classes, we have seen a tremendous improvement with our daughter's confidence, she enjoys the sessions as there is a mixture of techniques and games and has made friends along the way! Emma is great at adapting the lessons and I have only seen improvements, we Look forward to the end of summer show combined with the senior class!!! Love Norden Farm as the venue!' Junior Youth Theatre Parent
'This is my daughter’s first experience of a drama club - and it has been such a positive, confidence-boosting, creative experience for her. I particularly love that there is no pressure on the children - there is plenty of time and practice to get ready for the end of season Sharing Session, and the level of performance is just enough to stretch them, without making them worry. It’s pure joy and excitement! You can see how far the group has progressed from term to term - they are becoming a very confident and capable group of Thespians!' Junior Youth Theatre Parent
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