A Top-Tier Jazz Venue Just Beyond Norfolk — Well Worth the Trip
Towngate Theatre Basildon, The Entrance
The Towngate Theatre Jazz Cafe is yet another newly discovered Jazz Venue. It caught my eye because many of their acts have also performed at Upwell Jazz Club and Peterborough Jazz Club.
The Jazz Events are held monthly on the third Thursday of every month in the Towngate Theatre Cafe. They are mostly lunchtime events which makes the travelling easier for us!
Free Entry - Tables can be booked in advance - Contact the Theatre for more information
Coming up at the next Towngate Theatre Live Jazz Café in Basildon, our musical guests will be the Roger Beaujolais Trio, starring vibraphonist Roger Beaujolais, guitarist Neil Burns and bassist Alec Dankworth.
Vibraphonist Roger Beaujolais, is known for his long career as a London based jazz musician, working internationally with a string of very high profile session work, alongside artists such as Robert Plant, Morrissey, Kirsty MacColl, Denys Baptiste, Tony Kofi, Paul Weller, Fairground Attraction, Alexander O’Neal, Alan Barnes, Gilad Atzmon, Duffy, Graham Coxon, BJ Cole…amongst many others.
Scottish Guitarist Neil Burns has been immersed in the south west jazz scene for many years and has accompanied many top players on tours in the region, including Simon Spillet, Alex Garnett, David Newton, Steve Watts and Jim Mullen.
A guitarist steeped in the jazz guitar tradition with a funky, bluesy, bebop style heavily influenced by the great “Grant Green”.
Bassist Alec Dankworth, who needs little introduction, comes from a very musical family. The son of Sir John Dankworth and Dame Cleo Laine, Alec has built an impressive career of his own. He was a member of the Dave Brubeck Quartet, recorded with Nigel Kennedy and has worked with such notable artists as Abdullah Ibrahim, Mose Allison, Clarke Terry, Mel Tormé, Alan Barnes, Van Morrison…to name a few.
Also a prolific composer and bandleader in his own right, Alec was also a member of Ginger Baker Jazz Confusion, featuring the notorious drummer of “Cream” fame, along with legendary saxophonist Pee Wee Ellis.
1pm – 3pm | Free Entry
Reserve a table in advance by contacting the theatre for details.
Musicians should use the email address below to inquire about playing here.
Email: towngatelive@gmail.com
Jazz Parking Options
There is no public parking at the Towngate Theatre.
There are ample parking options within a few minutes’ walk from the theatre:
Westgate Shopping Centre Multi-Storey Car Park
Be sure to use the inside, multi-storey car park, as this area has no time limit. The outside Westgate parking area is time-limited. There is no overnight parking, and the car park closes at 10 pm.
Great Oaks Multi-Storey Car Park
Located about a 5-minute walk from the theatre, opposite the police station. This car park also has no time limit on parking.
