New for this year a Saturday night triple bill.  That’s right this year doors open at 5pm as we have three fantastic bands to entertain you and they are all new to the jazz festival.  If you want an idea of what you can expect check out our gallery from Thursday night.

Sat 18th July

Your mindset is this… there is still a day to recover; so start early and push on through. Who wants more? For the first time ever we open early, more jazz, more ale, more sun, a brand new line, a triple toast to top talent…

The Tim Dawes Trio with Jacqui Hicks 5.15 – 5.55 & 6.05 – 6.45

The Red Stripe Band 7.15 – 8.10 & 9.10 - 10.10

Laura B & The Moonlighters 8.15 - 9.05 & 10.15 - 11.15

TIM DAWES TRIO WITH JACQUI HICKS

Jacqui Hicks (vocals) Tim Lapthorne (piano), Tim Dawes (double bass)

Tim Dawes is an exceptionally accomplished double bass player with a line-up well known to the Oxford jazz circuit. His bass playing and jazz performances have been described as “wonderfully lyrical & lucid, understated… energetic & inventive”. This year he brings a laid back mix of swing, soul and blues to our early evening slot, with a few numbers you should recognise, and has hand picked top London Jazz vocalist Jacqui Hicks, especially for this years festival.

Jacqui is the vocalist about whom other jazz musicians sigh with relief when they hear she is on the same gig. She is totally in control and understands every nuance of the process of making jazz music – she is a musician’s musician as well as being an enormously popular entertainer, crowd pleaser and possessing an exquisitely beautiful voice.

“…responds thrillingly to the challenge of quite complex arrangements …confident and swinging… with assurance and flair” Jazz Express.

Contact details:

W: www.jacquihicks.com

E:

T: Tim Dawes on 07970 062729

THE RED STRIPE BAND

Our third new act for the RAAJ festival comes in the form of The Red Stripe Band. Described by Jazz FM as “The closest thing to Jools Holland and his big band” they are guaranteed to get anyone with a pulse up on the dance floor.

Heading up the band is ‘Red Stripe’ (Neil Drinkwater) “Eccentric raconteur and boogie woogie front man… engagingly infectious” Daily Mail, who formed the Red Stripe Band in 1994. They now regularly play at the top jazz festivals in the UK and beyond, being asked back year after year to deliver their unique and engaging show from Edinburgh to Brighton, Oslo to New York, Tokyo and Monte Carlo, as well as the famous “Le Scimmie” jazz club in Milan.

Their fun, upbeat mix of jazz styles and entertaining stage show will see out this year’s festival and take us merrily into the night, so get on your feet and enjoy the ride!

Contact details:

W: www.red-stripe.info

E: Go to website

T: Neil Drinkwater on 0207 434 1708 or 07768 907525

LAURA B AND THE MOONLIGHTERS

Laura B is the UK’s new diva of 50’s Rhythm and Blues!

Another new band for this year’s RAAJ festival, Laura B and the Moonlighters are an exciting seven-piece rockin’ and honkin’ rhythm and blues combo in the upbeat style of Ruth Brown, Big Maybelle and Lavern Baker. The Band is led by the talented and charismatic vocalist Laura B, backed by her all star band comprising of members of Ocean’s Seven, Juke Joint Jump, Sugar Ray’s Flying Fortress, The Big Six, Alabama Slammers and The Mike Sanchez Band, to name but a few. Also featuring the exceptional Henri Herbert at the boogie-woogie 88, Lady Laura and the guys guarantee a big beat sound and performance to match many of the great R’n’B artistes of the fifties.

Contact details:

W: www.laurabandthemoonlighters.co.uk

E: info@laurabandthemoonlighters.co.uk

T: Paul Richardson on 07904 119687

Some Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Yes we do have tickets on sale at the gate this evening (cash only).  It’s a lovely day so come on down.  Tickets cost £20 and get you entry to the festival and 6 wonderful hours of jazz.  Drinks and food are then purchased separately.

2. If you ordered your tickets after 6th July they will not have been posted.  Please give your name and receipt at the ticket desk next to the entrance to pick up your tickets.

3. Hills Meadow car park WILL stay open until after the conclusion of the festival so it is OK to park there - your car will not get locked in!!!