Photo credit Clare Hannan

In a change from our usual genre at Bayham, we have this year decided to stage jazz at the Abbey rather than opera. We have chosen a superb seven piece jazz septet, the leader of whom, Julian Bliss, has performed in Lamberhurst before, as he is one of the world’s leading classical clarinetists.

The Julian Bliss Septet was formed in 2010 and today is renowned for bringing the sound of swing, Latin, American and jazz music to audiences across the world. The members of the septet, all exceptional solo musicians in their own right, transport listeners back to the heady days of classic swing and jazz through their entertaining, innately musical playing, and dazzling shows of virtuosity.

The band has played at some of the most prestigious venues and festivals around, including the famous Ronnie Scott’s, Wigmore Hall in London, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Bermuda Jazz Festival and two US tours covering a number of packed clubs and concert halls, delighting audiences with their uplifting and humorous shows.

The concert will take you on a trip through some of the great tunes of the swing era, focusing on the work of the great Benny Goodman. Like Julian, Goodman began playing the clarinet from a young age and was performing on stage by the age of twelve. We will hear some of Benny Goodman’s best-known tunes, and Julian will talk you through the music, sharing anecdotes and stories about Goodman’s life with a characteristic dose of tongue-in-cheek humour. The set will include favourites such as: Lady Be Good (Rifftide), Georgia Brown, Sing Sing Sing, Don’t be that Way, Stompin’ at the Savoy and Memories of You.