Upcoming Jazz, Blues and Swing dates.

Upcoming Jazz, Blues and Swing dates.

AS ONE DOOR CLOSE: ANOTHER SLAMS IN YOUR FACE.

But not this time.

As the regular Sunday 7pm free session at Bar Risa on Broad Street approach the end of their run, news is breaking of an almost direct replacement which is set to run initially, on a four week trial period.

So if you want to help preserve regular live Sunday Jazz & Blues in this City, then show your support by getting out and going there.

The last two Sundays at Bar Risa feature Leamington Spa-based Adam Phillips Trio (August 24th) and the Steve Steinhaus Swing Quartet (31st).

A few bus stops up the Hagley Road to Bearwood, the extremely comfortable Kings Head will present Kel Elliott Band (September 14th), Becky Brine Rhythm Boys (21st), Tipitina (28th), Steve Steinhaus Swing Quartet (October 5th). Again, show-time is 7pm and admission is free.

The Public, in the town centre of West Bromwich is much nearer than you may think, and they continue with their Friday and Saturday 8pm free admission sessions with Tipitina (22nd), Steve Ajao Band (23rd), Northampton’s Reinhardt devotees Swing Museum (29th) and the David Moore Blues Band (30th) just back from their debut shows in the Czech Republic.

Going into September at The Public, the attractions are the Nashville songbird, Dixie Diva Suzahn Fiering (September 5th), blue-grass specialists The Toy Hearts (6th) and Richard Hughes Trio (12th).

New Rock and Blues venue The Asylum (41 Hampton Street, Hockley, Birmingham, B19 3LS 0121 233 1109 for details) present one of the finest new Blues acts around, Matt Schofield, on Saturday 20th September.

The Touchwood Centre continues with its free Summer Series – despite the weather- on Wednesdays at 5.30pm and on Sundays at 2.30pm. When its fine, the shows take place in Jubilee Garden, when not they move to The Map Room. London based all girl blues band The Rogue Dolls feature (24th) followed by the classic jazz of Martinique Jazz Band (27th) and Tipitina (31st).

The Merry Hill Shopping Centre feature Tipitina at 7pm on Friday 24th August. Then the band then play La Tasca at Star City at 12:00 midday and at Arcadian Centre in Hurst Street on Saturday 30th and the Caz Bar in Stratford-Upon-Avon presents a free 8pm show on Bank Holiday Monday (August 31st).

Looking ahead, tickets have just gone on sale for the annual Birmingham Christmas performance for King Pleasure & the Biscuit Boys on Sunday 14th December at The Crescent Theatre in Brindley Place.

Upcoming Jazz

Our upcoming local gigs for the rest of this month include:

Bar Risa: Bar Risa are finishing their weekly free Sunday sessions which have run for the past two years. The last bands to appear will be New Orleans Blues and boogie band Tipitina [August 17th], young girl blues singer Lexie Stobie with her Band [24th] and Chicagoan jive singer Steve Steinhaus with his Swing Quartet [31st]. The sessions start at 7pm and admission is free.

The Touchwood Centre in Solihull has presented jazz and blues attractions throughout what we laughingly refer to as The Summer. Upcomers are Leamington Spa-based jazz, blues and gospel Kel Elliott Band [Sunday August 17th], newest signings to the Acid Jazz label The Elements [Wednesday 20th August], all-girl, London-based blues band The Rogue Dolls [Sunday 24th August], traditional jazz band from Wolverhampton Martinique Jazz Band [Wednesday 27th August] and young New Orleans Jazz, blues and boogie band from Preston, Tipitina [Sunday 31st August]. Sunday shows start at 2:30 pm and Wednesday Performances at 5:30pm. Admission is free.

New West Bromwich arts centre The Public is hosting regular jazz and blues sessions through to Christmas. August continues with Tipitina [Friday 22nd], local blues and jazz guitarist, alto sax player and singer Steve Ajao [Saturday 23rd], young Django Reinhardt-inspired Rugby combo Swing Museum [Friday 29th] and David Moore Blues Band [Saturday 30th]. Sessions start at 8pm and are free admission.