Watermill Jazz

Watermill Jazz Tickets - ticketsource.co.uk/watermilljazz

Excellent quality jazz from major UK and international musicians, every Tuesday from 8:30 - 10:30pm (except December). Delicious hot buffet available from 6:45pm - £15.50 (book in advance - see email link)
NOTE: It is with regret that the Hot Buffet served before concerts will not be available from 15 August 2023 until further notice.

The Derek Nash Acoustic Quartet plus special guest Martin Shaw are playing at Watermill Jazz, Reigate Road, Dorking, on ...
11/06/2026

The Derek Nash Acoustic Quartet plus special guest Martin Shaw are playing at Watermill Jazz, Reigate Road, Dorking, on Tuesday 23rd June 2026. Doors open at 8pm, concert starts at 8:30pm.

Get your tickets from www.ticketsource.com/watermilljazz or from the box office 07415 815784 or on the door; tickets from £12 (Students) - £29 (members £24). Easy access from London to Dorking Station; By road on the A25 near the junction with the A24 with extensive free parking on site - Betchworth Park Golf Club, RH4 1NZ.

Known for his energetic and charismatic performances and his appearances with Jools Holland, Derek Nash has long been a favourite at Watermill Jazz. His music is full of good vibes and upbeat grooves, tempered by the occasional reflective and romantic interlude.

Tonight, Derek brings his Acoustic Quartet to Dorking, with popular trumpet player Martin Shaw as special guest. This formidable team of musicians will be performing swinging melodic jazz including unique arrangements of jazz standards and some of Derek’s own compositions. Expect selections from the band’s five albums including Joyriding which won album of the year at the British Jazz Awards in 2012.

Derek Nash – soprano, alto, tenor & baritone sax, Martin Shaw – trumpet, David Newton – piano, Geoff Gascoyne – double bass, Sebastiaan de Krom - drums

Arild Andersen, Rob Luft & Daniel Sommer Trio - 9 June 2026Photos by Chris Horne, Brian O'Connor & Roger SandersYou coul...
10/06/2026

Arild Andersen, Rob Luft & Daniel Sommer Trio - 9 June 2026

Photos by Chris Horne, Brian O'Connor & Roger Sanders

You could be forgiven for not recognising the quiet unassuming gentleman in the bar nestling a double expresso earlier in the evening. But the moment this man took centre stage to coax beautiful sounds from a box of wood with strings there was no doubt that we were in the presence of the legendary 80 year old Norwegian double bass player Arild Andersen.

When we spoke briefly I mentioned one of my favourite Andersen recordings (Beast of Kommodo from the 1970 Jan Garbarek Quartet album Afric Pepperbird) “when Jan played like Albert Ayler”, Arild started to hum that thunderous bass line (and others) from memory with a twinkle in his eyes.

Never one to look back last night's multi generational trio presented material that others will remember fondly as classics in the future.

Arild may have the history and reputation, but guitarist Rob Luft and drummer Daniel Sommer are quietly building their own. Each musician contributed their own compositions to both sets including Sommer’s delightful dedication to his daughter ‘Ea’, and Luft’s ‘As Time Passes’.

This was an evening where the ECM esthetic permeated the sound, atmosphere and mood of the room. Only when Luft’s ‘South Wind’ segued into Andersen’s ‘Saturday’ did the musical temperature start to rise at the end of the evening.

The trio left the rapt audience spellbound. If you have an appetite for more there are several more rare UK dates, for your listening pleasure. Go on, treat yourself.

Review by Ian Watson

This weekend's Guardian (6 June) lists on their Culture page recommendations for "Going Out". John Fordham selects "Ari...
06/06/2026

This weekend's Guardian (6 June) lists on their Culture page recommendations for "Going Out". John Fordham selects "Arild Andersen, Rob Luft & Daniel Sommer Trio" at Watermill Jazz, Dorking, RH4 1NZ, Tuesday 9 June! Tickets avaiiable from Ticketsource.com/watermilljazz
Doors open at 8pm and the concert starts at 8:30pm

The Arild Andersen, Rob Luft and Daniel Sommer Trio are playing at Watermill Jazz, Reigate Road, Dorking, on Tuesday 9th...
06/06/2026

The Arild Andersen, Rob Luft and Daniel Sommer Trio are playing at Watermill Jazz, Reigate Road, Dorking, on Tuesday 9th June 2026. Doors open at 8pm, concert starts at 8:30pm.

Get your tickets from www.ticketsource.com/watermilljazz or from the box office 07415 815784 or on the door; tickets from £12 (Students) - £29 (members £24). Easy access from London to Dorking Station; By road on the A25 near the junction with the A24 with extensive free parking on site - Betchworth Park Golf Club, RH4 1NZ.

Playing music from their acclaimed album As Time Passes, experience a world-class trio that bridges generations in an innovative and spontaneous musical encounter. With a shared sense of aesthetics and sound, they explore how their diverse backgrounds merge into a unified expression. A must-see band on the European jazz scene.

Danish drummer Daniel Sommer met Norwegian bass legend Arild Andersen in Oslo, where they played as a duo and enjoyed discussions about music and improvisation. Eager to expand their collaboration, Andersen suggested British guitarist Rob Luft should join as the third member and thus, the trio was born!

In March 2023, Andersen, Luft and Sommer came together in Denmark for the first time, performing and recording what would become their remarkable debut album. Dedicated to evolving the Nordic sound in a contemporary context, the trio blends original compositions with structured improvisation, forging deeper connections across the European jazz scenes.

'As Time Passes is absolutely one of the best jazz albums of the year' Dick Hovenga - Writteninmusic

Arild Andersen – double bass, Rob Luft – guitar, Daniel Sommer - drums.

The London Jazz Orchestra - The music of Stan Sulzmann - 2 June 2026.Photos by Chris Horne & Roger SandersLocal hero Sta...
03/06/2026

The London Jazz Orchestra - The music of Stan Sulzmann - 2 June 2026.

Photos by Chris Horne & Roger Sanders

Local hero Stan Sulzmann has been a quiet but powerful presence in the area for some time. Anyone who has met him will know how warm and generous he is, but to understand the depth of love and respect that he commands from musicians and the Jazz community as a whole you need to hear his music played live.

So when Scott Stroman and The London Jazz Orchestra ventured south to present us with this unmissable opportunity, a full house was our best response.

How many strings to his bow does Stan have, consummate musician, composer, arranger and educator? Can we also add raconteur, his anecdotes need to shared more widely.

Like much Jazz played in Britain the music we heard last night was undemonstrative, creative, collaborative, uniquely expressive, under appreciated (by the masses), thrilling, exciting, swinging and soulful.

Please forgive me if I mention just some personal highlights of the evening -only lack of space prevents me from singing the praises of each and every one of the fantastic musicians individually.

The sublime trumpet of the great Henry Lowther 84 years young, whose tone and lyrical soloing show no signs of diminishing. The delightful piano of Alcyona Mick on Stan’s 3 part composition ‘Splashes’, nudging into an almost montuno like feel. The agile and multifaceted percussion of Paul Clarvis, who skilfully shifted the rhythmic landscape of each piece. Tori Freestone’s probing tenor solo on ‘One Day I’ll fly Away’. The room was full of strong emotions, especially when Matt Sulzmann stepped up on soprano to solo on the beautiful ‘Iain’s peace piece’, written by Stan. I could go on and on, instead I’ll sum up the evening with the words of Duke Ellington - (Stan) ‘We love You madly’

Review by Ian Watson

Programme - July 2026
31/05/2026

Programme - July 2026

The London Jazz Orchestra, featuring the music of Stan Sulzmann,are playing at Watermill Jazz, Reigate Road, Dorking, on...
23/05/2026

The London Jazz Orchestra, featuring the music of Stan Sulzmann,are playing at Watermill Jazz, Reigate Road, Dorking, on Tuesday 2nd June 2026. Doors open at 8pm, concert starts at 8:30pm.

Get your tickets from www.ticketsource.com/watermilljazz or from the box office 07415 815784 or on the door; tickets from £13 (Students) - £30 (members £25). Easy access from London to Dorking Station; By road on the A25 near the junction with the A24 with extensive free parking on site - Betchworth Park Golf Club, RH4 1NZ.

The London Jazz Orchestra, drawn from the capital's top soloists and writers, is celebrating its 35th year. For 15 of those years, iconic saxophonist Stan Sulzmann, who now lives locally to Watermill Jazz, was featured as both soloist and composer and Stan's interest in big band writing began when he started arranging pieces for the London Jazz Orchestra. The band travels to Watermill Jazz for a special appearance featuring Stan’s music in his presence.

Founded by director Scott Stroman and trumpet player Noel Langley, former members besides Stan Sulzmann include Kenny Wheeler, John Taylor, Pete Saberton, Nikki Iles, Tim Garland, Norma Winstone and a host of greats, and the band continues to feature numerous current stars.

‘The ensemble always creates something new and magical' London Jazz News

'Ravishing, delicious, powerful and direct…meticulously written, sometimes echoing the imaginative and much missed orchestra of Michael Gibbs’ The Guardian

Scott Stroman – director, Matt Sulzmann - alto & soprano sax, Martin Hathaway - alto sax, clarinet & flute, Tori Freestone - tenor sax & flute, Pete Hurt - tenor sax & flute, Mick Foster, baritone sax & bass clarinet, Martin Gladdish, Olli Martin, James Wade-Sired - trombones, Richard Henry -bass trombone, Tom Walsh, Miguel Gorodi, Henry Lowther, Andre Canniere – trumpets, Nick Costley-White - guitar, Alcyona Mick- piano, Calum Gourlay – double bass, Paul Clarvis - drums.

Giacomo Smith - Manouche - 19 May 2026Photos by Chris Horne & Roger SandersMusicians from Duke Ellington to the Avant G...
20/05/2026

Giacomo Smith - Manouche - 19 May 2026

Photos by Chris Horne & Roger Sanders

Musicians from Duke Ellington to the Avant Garde have long felt that Jazz was too small a word for a music that covers such a wide range of styles and expression. Manouche or Gypsy Jazz has become one of the many overlapping styles within it today and the musician whose influence runs deep like the name in a stick of Blackpool Rock was Django Reinhardt.

Django often played with clarinet players so it was fitting that Giacomo Smith presented his trio of musicians who are inspired by and at the same time are invigorating this uniquely European style.

A quick change of reed and they were out of the gates like a shot, racing through ‘The Best Things In Life Are Free’ and into ‘After You’ve Gone’. Both sets were heavy on tunes from the 20’s and 30’s, and those written or associated with Django, but there was nothing backwards looking about the playing.

Pianist Tom Ward was a revelation and from the moment he deftly changed rhythmic gears from la pompe to rollicking stride the energy rose and we instantly knew this concert was going to be a cracker.

As Giacomo pointed out, the lack of drums allowed the clarinet to shine in its lower register, especially on his version of ‘the most beautiful tune of all time’ ‘Embraceable You’.

Sitting between two such strong melodic players guitarist Ducato Piotrowski anchored the sound of the band, shifting between driving chording to magisterial soloing. He was able to put his own stamp on material that has been played by countless virtuosos before him. I particularly enjoyed the 3/4 swing of ‘Indifference’ and his take on ‘Nuages’.

The leader Giacomo was impeccably dressed, ready for an engagement at The Ritz or a 30’s rent party, his lovely playing transforming The Watermill Jazz club into a mixture of the two for a few hours . His clarinet playing was equally stylish. Did I detect a hint of Jimmy Guiffre on the bluesy opening to ‘Dream of You’, a song Giacomo learned from Django via Jimmy Lunceford?.

On What Is This Thing Called Love’ he kept slipping in some phrases from ‘Hot House’ the Bebop tune based on the same harmonies. The late Stan Hasselgard briefly straddled the swing/ Bop divide with a similar ease.

We didn’t want the night to end, but after a short but ‘Sweet Georgia Brown’ the music had to stop. The glow and memory of this evening is going to stay with me for some time.

Review by Ian Watson

Giacomo Smith - Manouche, are playing at Watermill Jazz, Reigate Road, Dorking, on Tuesday 19th May 2026. Doors open at...
07/05/2026

Giacomo Smith - Manouche, are playing at Watermill Jazz, Reigate Road, Dorking, on Tuesday 19th May 2026. Doors open at 8pm, concert starts at 8:30pm.

Get your tickets from www.ticketsource.com/watermilljazz or from the box office 07415 815784 or on the door; tickets from £12 (Students) - £29 (members £24). Easy access from London to Dorking Station; By road on the A25 near the junction with the A24 with extensive free parking on site - Betchworth Park Golf Club, RH4 1NZ.

Giacomo Smith is an accomplished jazz clarinetist, saxophonist, and composer known for his distinctive sound and mastery of both traditional and contemporary jazz styles.

Born in Italy and raised in the United States, Smith developed a deep appreciation for jazz early in life.

In Manouche, Giacomo joins forces with pianist Tom Ward & guitarist Ducato Piotrowski to create a reimagining of Django Reinhardt’s musical legacy. Their trio blends virtuosic improvisation and expressive range with original compositions, swing era classics, and fresh interpretations beyond the usual Manouche repertoire.

Giacomo Smith - clarinet, Ducato Piotrowski – guitar, Tom Ward – piano

Ben Crosland All Star Band plays the Ray Davies Songbook - 5 May 2026.Photos by Chris Horne & Roger SandersThe music of ...
06/05/2026

Ben Crosland All Star Band plays the Ray Davies Songbook - 5 May 2026.

Photos by Chris Horne & Roger Sanders

The music of the Kinks got a brand new coat of paint this evening courtesy of Ben Crosland's inspired arrangements. Theo Travis and John Etheridge's history of fusion in Soft Machine lent a certain heft to the arrangements, with solos and harmonised lead lines. Steve Lodder also made sure that tonight was as much about chromatic invention as nostalgia.

Drummer Nic France, another Soft Machine alumni, provided the jazz-rock foundation on which Bassist Ben Crosland's arrangements took flight. All members of the band were (probably) old enough to have seen the Kinks live - and tonight brought along musicianship to show us just how far along things have moved in the intervening years.

Review by David Ward

Address

Betchworth Park Golf Club, Reigate Road
Dorking
RH41NZ

Opening Hours

8:30pm - 10:30pm

Telephone

+447415815784

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