We hold monthly gigs in the spacious Willow suite at Venue 16, Tuddenham Road, Ipswich.
Ipswich Jazz & Blues (IJ&B) is a not-for-profit organisation run by jazz and blues enthusiasts whose sole aim is to bring the very best acts to Suffolk’s county town.
Tenor sax star Mark Crooks is much in demand as both leader and sideman. He's performed with artists ranging from Tony Bennett to Sir Simon Rattle, Lady Gaga to Dame Cleo Laine, at venues from Ronnie Scott's in London to the Lincoln Center in New York.
For his eagerly awaited IJBC return he brings his own organ quartet to town to perform jazz, latin and soul rinsed in the blues. Alongside Mark will be Pete Whittaker on organ, Colin Oxley on guitar and Matt Home on drums.
Check out our exciting lineup of jazz and blues performances
Moments from our latest jazz and blues afternoons
With the first half of the season behind us, we're delighted to reveal what's in store from July through to December — and it's our most exciting second half yet!
July 19th - Paul Jones and Friends
The highlight of the summer is without doubt the legendary Paul Jones. Lead singer of Manfred Mann, frontman of The Blues Band and the voice behind worldwide hits 'Do Wah Diddy Diddy', '5-4-3-2-1' and 'Pretty Flamingo', Paul has been a household name since the 1960s. For this very special Ipswich appearance he's joined by an all-star band — guitarist Denny Ilett (a regular at Ronnie Scott's), saxophonist Harry Greene, organist Jim Watson and drummer George Double — for an afternoon of rhythm and blues classics alongside gems from the Manfred Mann and Blues Band back catalogues. Unmissable. Tickets are £22.
August 9th - QCBA Play Blue Note
An explosive celebration of the legendary Blue Note Records label from trumpeter Quentin Collins and saxophonist Brandon Allen. Expect high-energy jazz from Art Blakey, Jimmy Smith, Horace Silver, Herbie Hancock and more.
September 13th - Horn Factory
East Anglia's finest 18-piece big band return with a thunderous programme of contemporary jazz from composers including Buddy Rich, Bob Mintzer and Quincy Jones. There's nothing quite like a big band close up.
October 11th - Michael Messer & Chaz Jankel
Two guitar greats team up for an afternoon of breathtaking playing. Michael Messer is widely regarded as one of the finest slide guitarists in the world; Chaz Jankel is best known as Ian Dury's songwriting partner and co-writer of the worldwide hit 'Ai No Corrida'. A jaw-dropping combination.
November 8th - Mark Crooks Organ Quartet
Tenor sax star Mark Crooks — who has performed with everyone from Tony Bennett to Lady Gaga at venues from Ronnie Scott's to the Lincoln Center — brings his organ quartet for an afternoon of jazz, latin and soul rinsed in the blues.
December 13th - The Jive Aces' Christmas Show
We've saved the best for last! We are absolutely thrilled to bring the UK's number one jive and swing band The Jive Aces to town for our Christmas extravaganza. They've played for the Queen, packed out the Royal Albert Hall and made history as the first band to reach the Britain's Got Talent finals. Expect smooth ballads, rip-roaring rhythm and blues, festive favourites, and our legendary bumper Christmas raffle with a hamper as first prize. Doors open 2pm, music starts 3pm. Tickets are £22.
Tickets for all shows are on sale now. Don't miss a single one!
