It all began as a result of the success over several years of Fleet U3A’s Jazz Appreciation Group. Every other Thursday morning, this group meets in — of all places — the Methodist Church on Reading Road South. Fleet Town Councillor, Sue Tilley, hearing about this, got together with Harlington Operations Manager, Alex Robins, and invited the U3A group organisers to come up with ideas. In a very sh
ort time, a plan was put together and the Jazz Club was born. The heart of the programme is the list of big name jazz musicians that bassist, Marianne Windham, has put together. Since we’ve started we have had memorable sessions from Alan Barnes, Steve Waterman, Brandon Allen, John Etheridge, Art Themen, Jacqui Dankworth and others, all players among the cream of British Jazz, accompanied by a rhythm section of equally fine musicians. We are indebted to all the musicians for sharing their music with us.The Club is Sold Out every month — that’s quite something for a jazz club — and the audience reaction has been enthusiastic. Fleet Jazz Club usually meets on the 3rd Tuesday of the month in intimate surroundings and is developing a growing reputation as a venue of note on the British jazz scene, attracting some of the top players in the country as well as an enthusiastic and growing fan base. The music is great, the atmosphere is welcoming and there’s a bar (would it be a jazz club without one!). If you’d like to know more about what we do please sign up to our newsletter, drop us a line, or come along to a gig and say hello! We look forward to meeting you.
