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.

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

Ben Crosland and his quintet are SOLD OUT at Watermill Jazz on Tuesday 5th May 2026. To be included on the waiting list...
03/05/2026

Ben Crosland and his quintet are SOLD OUT at Watermill Jazz on Tuesday 5th May 2026. To be included on the waiting list for any returned tickets please phone the box office 07415 815784.

Further details of this and other events are on www.ticketsource.com/watermilljazz . 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, Reigate Road, Dorking, RH4 1NZ. Doors open at 8pm, concert starts at 8:30pm.

In 2016 bassist Ben Crosland and his quintet released the critically acclaimed album The Ray Davies Songbook, a tribute to The Kinks' iconic singer/composer Ray Davies. Strong grooves, a natural swing and strong, evocative melodies characterise Ray Davies’ songs which allows them to be beautifully re-interpreted in a more contemporary fashion. From straight-ahead swing through 8th feel grooves and ballads to reggae, Crosland and the band, which features much-loved guitarist John Etheridge, shine a new light on these classic songs.

The album was nominated by respected jazz writer Brian Morton as one of his albums of the year in the Jazz Journal Critics’ Poll 2016. Following the success of the first album, the Quintet released a second volume of the Ray Davies Songbook in 2019, also to significant critical acclaim.

'I feel privileged to have you do renditions of my songs and appreciate your craftmanship' Sir Ray Davies

John Etheridge – guitar, Theo Travis – tenor & soprano sax, Steve Lodder – piano & keyboard, Ben Crosland – electric bass, Nic France - drums

Laura Jurd Quartet - 28 April 2026Photos by Chris Horne & Roger SandersIt all starts with sound, and if the late, great ...
29/04/2026

Laura Jurd Quartet - 28 April 2026

Photos by Chris Horne & Roger Sanders

It all starts with sound, and if the late, great pianist Hal Galper is to be believed, the instrument is an illusion. We are not talking about smoke and mirrors here, but beautiful sounds coming from deep inside each musician.

Ruth Goller played a Fender Mustang bass through a bank of pedals and an Orange 500 watts Terror Bass amp, but I may as well be describing an easel with an array of oil paints ready to be dipped into as none of that was important. Her sound came from an individual realisation of her ideas through her fingers and into the room. I for one was spellbound by her playing and remained so even when she sat silently listening to the others, thinking of her next move.

Laura told us that pianist Liam Noble was a new addition to the ensemble for the evening. Otherwise we would never have guessed this from the way that he fitted in; supporting melodies, shaping the flow of the music, darting in and out of the shadows to the open spaces with effortless ease.

Corrie Dick played drums and a small array of percussion instruments. I overheard him telling someone afterwards "I'm not really into gear” - who needs to be when you have enough music in your head, and all it needs is a physical object to realise it.

The lynchpin of the band was, of course, composer and trumpet player Laura Jurd. With pronounced folk influences on her must recent album Rites and Revelations we got a glimpse into the creative mind of this talented and mercurial musician. Each piece was evocative, full of twists and turns and wonderful imagery. On St James Infirmary the initial calm was split open like a family squabble at a wake only to change again as tempers settled down again. Of course she has a tone to die for and in her hands a Martin Committee trumpet became a magic wand that changed the mood of each piece like the conductor in Fantasia.

All in all it was another amazing evening of generous joyful sound at Watermill Jazz. As Charlie Parker once said "It's just music. It's playing clean and looking for the pretty notes.”

Laura and her band certainly found more than their fair share throughout a night of wonderful inspiring music.

Review by Ian Watson & David Ward

Address

Betchworth Park Golf Club, Reigate Road
Dorking
RH41NZ

Opening Hours

8:30pm - 10:30pm

Telephone

+447415815784

Website

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