Ayr Jazz Club

16/01/2026

Hello Everyone!

I trust you will not mind me sending you some jazz information which might interest you. Noel Patterson e-mail address for tickets is [email protected].

Thanks to all who attended the last jazz night.

Also, Katy Clachan has a jazz night at The Abbotsford Hotel, Ayr on 12 February with the 3 Deuces (Tom Kincaid, John Hallam & Jim Swinnerton)
Tickets from Katy on 07810-007021 @ £25.

Mike Daly trio (Mike, Kit Carey & Roy Percy) are playing at The Wellington Bar, Wellington Square, Ayr on 15 February from 4pm - 6pm. Admission free.

Cheers
Stuart

20/12/2025

SAVE THE LAST DANCE FOR US!

Hello Everyone

Sadly, as we intimated earlier, Ayr Jazz Club terminated with a great party night on 28 November with music from The Vieux Carre Jazzmen and joined by guests, local cornettist Mike Daly and also Chris and Veronica Perrin from The Lazy River Jazz Band.
Tributes were paid to the many people connected with the club over the years and to the many bands that had played at the club, coming from many different parts of the UK.
A touching presentation was also made to Chairman, Stuart McLean, who had served the club on committee for 20 years, of which 15 years constituted his chairmanship.

Future of jazz in Ayrshire is unknown but Katy Clachan, aided by some club committee members will host the odd jazz night in Ayr, the first being on 12 February 2026 at the Abbotsford Hotel. Tickets can be purchased in advance from Katy on 07810-007021. The band will be The Three Deuces with Tom Kincaid, Jim Swinnerton and John Hallam

The final evening of the Jazz Club was recorded and photographed and put to a double compact disc album. Copies of this excellent production which also includes the History of Ayr Jazz Club are available from Stuart – phone 01292-590773 or 07858747604. Only £10 each including delivery.

Merry Christmas everybody

04/11/2025

JAZZ CLUB TO CLOSE

Following on from our evening with Jon Scully and the Big Easy Swing Band, sadly Ayr Jazz Club are announcing that the club will cease its “monthly” jazz evenings as from their next and final session at the Fairfield Hotel, Ayr.
The Chairman, Stuart McLean, would like to thank all those who have supported the club during its 20-year existence during which it has appeared at several venues in the town.
Their last evening will be a Party night at The Fairfield Hotel on Friday 28 November, including a festive buffet and music provided by the Vieux Carre Jazzmen from Whitley Bay. There are a few tickets remaining for sale at £20 and further information can be obtained from Stuart.

The Vieux Carre are an excellent New Orleans type jazz band and as they have supported the club for many years on an annual basis, it is fitting that they should appear at our “swansong”. The band leader, Brian Bennett, has led and promoted the band over many years and is a great supporter of the younger musician when an opportunity arises.

So, a great night of jazz in store for you, numbers will be limited, so don’t delay, get your tickets now – just phone 01292-590773

21/10/2025

Ayr Jazz Club is set for its penultimate gig at the Fairfield Hotel.

17/10/2025

Jon Scully and his Big Easy Swing Band will strut into town and perform at The Fairfield Hotel on Friday 24 October for the penultimate meeting of Ayr Jazz Club at its current venue (due to building redevelopment) so make a point of coming along and enjoying an evening of live music. Jon's band features himself on trumpet and vocals, ably supported by Jamie Stockbridge on alto saxophone, Harry Orme om guitar, Sam Jackson on double bass and John Arneson on drums.
The band have never played at the club before so it is an opportunity for you to hear someone new.

Tickets for our last event at the hotel, the November Party Night will be on sale again, over half have already sold, at £20 including a festive buffet, so make sure you don't miss out on what could also be the final evening of Ayr Jazz Club. The band on that occasion will be The Vieux Carre Jazzmen, a New Orleans type band that has supported the club for many years.

15/09/2025

JAZZ CLUB NEWS

Despite the parking mayhem caused by the Air Show, we were able to go ahead with our evening with Paula Jackman & Her Jazz Masters and what a night of great music it was. The Chairman, Stuart McLean thanked those who made their way to the Fairfield Hotel despite the difficulties and praised the band for an outstanding evening of jazz.
We have the first of two jazz evenings in October, commencing on Friday 3 October with one of our favourite bands who enjoy coming to Ayr and who play at various festivals up and down the country, the Lazy River Jazz Band, fronted by Chris Perrin on clarinet and piano, and wife Veronica on cornet and often other strange instruments including the melodica and also vocals.
Supporting the Perrins will be Jon Moreman on trombone & vocals; Lindsey Henderson on guitar: Phil Rutherford on sousaphone and Steve Harrison on drums.

Also on this evening, 3 October, we will be starting to sell tickets for our last party night at The Fairfield, which will take place on Friday 28 November. Playing that evening will be the Vieux Carre Jazzmen, and the event includes a finger buffet. Ending at 11pm, tickets will be £20 per person, payable in advance and as numbers will be limited, don’t delay, get yours now!

But firstly, a great evening of jazz in store for us on Friday 3 October at The Fairfield Hotel, Ayr. Still only £10 for an evening of music and dance! No need to book, just turn up and enjoy!
Just a reminder that our normal club evenings on a once-a-month basis start at 7.30pm and close at 10.30pm at the Fairfield Hotel, Ayr.
For any further information telephone Stuart on 01292-590773.

25/08/2025

JAZZ CLUB NEWS

After another fine evening of varied types of jazz with The New Phoenix Jazz Band and excellent vocals from Christine Adams, it is time to revert to the good old New Orleans Jazz with Paula Jackman’s Jazz Masters.

This is the second visit from Paula’s band this year, although the first visit was not well attended due to the Kirkcudbright Jazz Festival going on at the same time. But we had a great evening of jazz , so if you missed the first one in June, do make sure that you come along this time. Basically the line up is the same except for the
inclusion of a fabulous trombone player from the Czech Republic, namely “Hank” Jindrich, who we were enthralled with when he played on the band’s first visit to the club in December 2023.
On drums we have the well-known Baby Jools (Julyan Aldridge) who leads his own band “Baby Jools And The Jazzaholics”.
Paula Jackman (now Crozier) leads the band on clarinet and vocals with husband Hugh Crozier on piano and vocals. Hugh has played with many bands - probably the best known The Bill Brunskill Jazz Band. Another well-known musician “Magic” Mike Henry features on cornet with sousaphone player “Lord” Marc Easener completing the line-up.
So a great evening of jazz in store for us on Friday 5 September at The Fairfield Hotel, Ayr. Still only £10 for an evening of music and dance! No need to book, just turn up and enjoy!
Just a reminder that our normal club evenings on a once-a-month basis start at 7.30pm and close at 10.30pm at the Fairfield Hotel, Ayr.
For any further information telephone Stuart on 01292-590773.

07/08/2025

30/07/2025

Ayr Jazz Club News

I am sure that, those of you who came along to our jazz night on 25 July with The Roaring Twenties would have enjoyed the music and vocals of the 1920’s, the golden era of jazz.
Our next event on Friday 15 August features a second visit this year from one of the few Scottish jazz bands still in existence, the New Phoenix Jazz Band from Edinburgh.
The New Phoenix have played regularly at Ayr Jazz Club for over ten years and feature a group of talented musicians led by bassist Jerry Forde, supported by Stewart Forbes on reeds, Lorne Cowieson on trumpet, Phil Adams on banjo & guitar, Jack Wilson on drums and fronting the band is vocalist Christine Adams.

So come along and help us “keep the kettle boiling” with some great jazz with the New Phoenix, almost 3 hours of music for only a tenner! What a bargain!
Visitors to the club are always welcome. The support of the general public is most important to us in the immediate future as we attempt to continue in our quest of “Bringing Jazz To Ayrshire” No need to book, pay at the door. If you have an interest in jazz, do come along and help us to keep our feet tapping!
Further information is available from Stuart on 01292-590773

25/07/2025

14/07/2025

JAZZ CLUB NEWS

Sadly our jazz evening with the Paula Jackman’s Jazz Masters was poorly attended, which was a shame, as the band played brilliantly on their return to the club.
Despite three changes of musicians from their previous visit in 2023, the band played a superb selection of New Orleans and classic jazz numbers with vocals from Paula and her new husband Hugh Crozier.
“Magic” Mike Henry was once again truly magic on cornet and the surprise inclusion of Baby Jools Aldridge on drums contributed to a superb evening. Unfortunately the occasion clashed with The Kirkcudbright Jazz Festival which attracted several of our regulars. However, those who missed out will have another chance to see the band on Friday 5 September.
We now look ahead to our next presentation at The Fairfield Hotel of a band who first visited us in October 2023, another fine band, exponents of New Orleans jazz, The Roaring Twenties, all the way from South Yorkshire.
The band is led on clarinet by David Hepworth who also runs another band called The Washington Whirligig. Supporting him are Simon James on trumpet, Andy Bramall on banjo and guitar, Liz Hepworth on double bass, Rob Cotterell on drums, with vocalist Suzanne James.

So a great evening of jazz in store for us on Friday 25 July at The Fairfield Hotel, Ayr. Still only £10 for an evening of music and dance! No need to book, just turn up and enjoy!
Just a reminder that our normal club evenings on a once-a-month basis start at 7.30pm and close at 10.30pm at the Fairfield Hotel, Ayr.
For any further information telephone Stuart on 01292-590773.

28/05/2025

JAZZ CLUB NEWS

Club members and visitors enjoyed the 20th Anniversary of Ayr Jazz Club with a party night and an excellent evening of fine New Orleans Jazz on 9 May with the Mississippi Dreamboats.

We now look ahead to the remainder of this years programme with the first of two visits this year from the great Essex band, Paula Jackman’s Jazz Masters.
We first enjoyed listening to the band in 2023 and on this visit the band again features great musicians with a couple of changes from last time.
On drums we have the well-known Baby Jools (Julyan Aldridge) who leads his own band “Baby Jools And The Jazzaholics” and on trombone a first visit to Ayr of Bob Alcoe on trombone. Bob has played with many bands including the Barry Tyler Jazz Band.
Paula Jackman (now Crozier) leads the band on clarinet with husband Hugh Crozier on piano and vocals. Hugh has played with many bands - probably the best known The Bill Brunskill Jazz Band. Another well-known musician “Magic” Mike Henry features on cornet with bass player Gerry Hoskin completing the line-up.
So a great evening of jazz in store for us on Friday 13 June at The Fairfield Hotel, Ayr. Still only £10 for an evening of music and dance! No need to book, just turn up and enjoy!
Just a reminder that our normal club evenings on a once-a-month basis start at 7.30pm and close at 10.30pm at the Fairfield Hotel, Ayr.
For any further information telephone Stuart on 01292-590773.