We provide an intimate club atmosphere for jazz performances in a room with a capacity up to 170. Musicians and audiences alike regularly comment on the special ambiance which develops during concerts – quite unlike the sterile distant relationship with some theatre audiences.  Lottery funding has given us a Yamaha Grand Piano, which is enjoyed by the cream of British and overseas pianists.

Programming

We present mainstream to accessible contemporary jazz styles including occasional Latin music, Big Band and single instrument presentations (e.g. percussion bands, saxophone or guitar quartets). The commonest presentations are modern quartets to sextets.

In addition to established artists we aim to introduce bands and artists of quality emerging on the scene and gaining critical approval or record deals or touring support. This includes singers and instrumentalists in a wide variety of styles.

We also have a policy of encouraging young starters on the jazz scene giving occasional, though regular, opportunities to youngsters to do a short support set before the main band. This has sometimes led to an opportunity to sit in with the band later in the evening

When and where?

Gigs are at Wakefield Sports Club (Eastmoor Road) at 8:30pm on most Fridays through the year with short breaks at Christmas and Easter and a longer break through July and August.

Background and way forward.

Wakefield Jazz is a not-for-profit organisation run by a team of 10 volunteers including 3 “Officers” fulfilling the roles of Chairman, Secretary (promoter) and Treasurer.  It is supported by Wakefield MDC, Jazz Yorkshire,  Arts Council (England) and the National Lottery.

The club has been running for 22 years and during that time has built up from a pub venue, presenting local talent only, to venue with a National reputation.   This year we were nominated for the second time in the Parliamentary Jazz awards as venue of the year.   We had won this award in 2005.   Despite this we have seemed isolated from the remainder of Wakefield’s cultural life.    It is therefore a great pleasure to have been invited to collaborate with the Wakefield Live Music Project.   We are grateful for the opportunity to present high quality jazz performance in a new context and before a new and knowledgeable audience.   We hope this will flourish and that we can find wider appeal among the arts community of the City.