Ongar Jazz Club
Founded in 1986
About
Ongar Jazz Club was founded in 1986 as a non- profit making organisation and has developed into one of this country’s leading jazz clubs.
Concerts are held monthly from September through to May. Our AGM (open to all) usually precedes the October concert.
Our charity work helps worthy local organisations and money is raised entirely from the generosity of our members through our monthly raffle. Information about the charities we support can be found here.
There is no fee for membership for the forthcoming 40th Season.
ARTISTS WHO HAVE PERFORMED FOR ONGAR JAZZ CLUB.
Digby Fairweather, Humphrey Littleton, Maxine Daniels, Cy Laurie, Ronnie Scott, Terry Lightfoot, Monty Sunshine, Dave Shepherd, Acker Bilk, Kenny Ball, Alex Welsh, Merseysippi Jazz Band, Martin Litton, George Webb, Brian Dee, Chicago Teddy Bears, Neville Dickie, Keith Nichols, Christine Tyrell, Max Collie, Richard Leach, Hugh Rainey, Mike Daniels, Jonathon Vinton, Jeff Barnhart, John Maddocks, George Huxley, Kevin Grenfell, Enrico Tomasso, Julian Marc Stringle, Amy Roberts, Richard Exall, Ian Bateman, Ben Holder and many others…
All concerts take place in Budworth Hall Ballroom, High Street, Chipping Ongar, Essex, CM5 9JG
RESERVATIONS
Too many jazz clubs closed during the Covid-19 pandemic never to re-open. But we’re delighted that Ongar Jazz Club (‘OJC’) is going from strength to strength. We no longer need to make special arrangements for the conduct of our concerts, and you can pay at the door on the evening of a concert. But to be sure of a seat now that we are back to normal playing to full houses, you can make your seat reservation(s) in advance by bank transfer or by using the booking form on the web site.
To pay by cheque, please send your payment to our Bookings Secretary, Paul Keska, together with the Booking Form which you can find on the web site – click here. For bank transfers our bank details are: Barclays Bank: Account: Ongar Jazz Club; Sort Code: 20 29 86; Account No: 10429686; quote as a reference the name of the person making the booking followed by the date of the concert, for example: Bloggs J 20/09/24. If you need a receipt for your BACS payment please email Paul Keska at ps.keska@hotmail.co.uk.
If you find you are unable to attend a concert for which you have pre-paid you may sell or gift your seat reservation. Please note that cheques will be cashed unless you notify Paul Keska of your non-attendance not less than forty-eight hours in advance.
Drinks and Nibbles!
Nerissa and Claire’s Coffee Bar and Restaurant are offering a ‘Help Yourself’ hot and cold buffet menu to be eaten in the Main Hall, at £10 per person – serving from 19.00, no booking required. Hot drinks sold separately are also available. For more information email – nandccoffee@gmail.co.com
The Budworth Bar will be open for alcoholic/non-alcoholic drinks – please do not bring your own drinks as you will not be permitted to consume them on the premises – Thank you!
The Chairman Speaks
Dear Jazz Fans,
The 40th Season of Ongar Jazz Club got off to a great start with a wonderful evening of music by The Temperance Seven. It was followed up the return of the much loved Rico Tomasso’s Little Big Band. Rico treated us to a fabulous evening of jazz standards from the late 1930s and early 1940s with big-band numbers specially arranged for a smaller ensemble.
Click on the images below to see some video of these two performances. And, do have a look here on YouTube where Bill Stock has posted more videos of the performances along with many others that will bring back some wonderful memories of previous concerts we have presented.
Looking forward, on 14 November we have the return of Sarah Spencer’s Transatlantic Band. This is a great band in the New Orleans style and will have you tapping your feet and wishing you were in the Deep South! 12 December sees the first visit to the Club by the TJ Johnson’s Quintet. TJ is a very fine vocalist and accompanies himself on the piano He will also have with him the great Al Nichols on tenor sax. This will be a great rocking night to help you in the run-up to ChristmasChristmas.
The first concert of 2026 will be on 23 January with the return of Simon Nelson’s DixieMix. This band was a warm-up act for Rod Stewart and was very popular when they last played for us a couple of years ago. 27 February sees the return of the ever-popular Djangoliers. It’s great to imagine being on a Parisian boulevard on a February night! This is bound to be a very popular returning band. The concerts continue with two more popular bands returning to the Club, Pete Rudeforth’s Jazz Band on 20 March and Kevin Grenfell’s Jazz Giants on 24 April. And, the season will finish in style on 22 May with the The Bateman Brothers returning for another spectacular performance.
It promises to be a another great concert season once again here at the Ongar Jazz Club. We’ve waived the membership fee again for the third time in a row and kept our ticket prices at £15 per concert. So, you’ll be getting some of the best value jazz around. Please do book your tickets by bank transfer wherever possible, or call Paul Keska to book and make your payment, Tel. 07768 815390. You can find our BACS payment details here.
Thank you so much for contributing to the continued success of this great Jazz Club.
Alistair Allan – Chairman, Ongar Jazz Club
PS – We’re taking bookings now for Sarah Spencer’s Transatlantic Band on 14 November so why not book early to be sure of a place!
FORTIETH SEASON
PROGRAMME 2025 – 2026
Alistair Allan has worked hard to create another great programme of jazz for our 40th Season. So, put the following dates in your diary and don’t miss out – we’ll add full details of each band as soon they are to hand. If you want a printed copy of the programme flyer – click here.
Concerts consist of two hour-long sets with an interval of approximately 20 minutes, and end at about 22.30. Our popular raffle in aid of local charities is drawn during the interval – so don’t forget to buy your tickets on arrival.
Find us now on Facebook –
SARAH SPENCER’S TRANSATLANTIC BAND
14 November
Sarah Spencer started playing clarinet at eight years old and tenor saxophone at 15, later taking up the baritone and soprano saxophones and bass clarinet. She started playing on the British traditional jazz scene at 18, was the youngest visitor to play in Preservation Hall, New Orleans aged 19, and formed the first of her own bands when she was 20. Sarah formed Sarah Spencer’s Transatlantic Band when she lived in the USA and has travelled extensively across the USA and the UK with the band from around 1997 until the present day.
Sarah Spencer’s Transatlantic Band is a powerhouse six-piece band that delivers an electrifying and authentic traditional jazz sound. Featuring a stellar line-up of top-tier musicians from across the UK, the band is renowned for its driving rhythm section and formidable, swinging frontline. The band reprises New Orleans music, from the dance halls of New Orleans in the 1920’s, through the New Orleans Revival, to the repertoire of legendary New Orleans Rhythm and Blues/Rock and Roll performers such as Fats Domino and Little Richard. This is the ultimate band for an unforgettable night of hot, swinging jazz.
2025
TJ JOHNSON’S QUINTET
12 December
2026
SIMON NELSON’S DIXIE MIX
23 January
THE DJANGOLIERS
27 February
PETE RUDEFORTH’S JAZZ BAND
20 March
KEVIN GRENFELL’S JAZZ GIANTS
24 April
THE BATEMAN BROTHERS
22 May
Resources
Gallery
40th Season
Bands who’ve entertained us during the 40th Season include:
The Temperance Seven
‘Captain’ Christopher Buckley – Sousaphone
‘Alexander Hitchcock-Galloway – Vocals
‘Flight Commander’ Patrick Rixon – Trombone
‘The Right Hon.’ John Tucker – Cornet
‘Private’ William Entwistle – Clarinet
‘Count’ Geoffrey Simkins – Alto-Saxophone
Michael Grimsargh Deighan – Banjo, Ukelele
Antony Kennedy-Arkwright – Drums
Enrico Tomasso’s Little Big Band
Rico Tomasso – Trumpet
Mark Crooks – Reeds
Olly Wilby – Reeds
Martin Litton – Piano
Mark Elton – Double Bass
Joe Dessauer – Drums
39th Season
Bands who’ve entertained us during the 39th Season include:
The Midnite Follies Orchestra
Graham Hughes – Trombone
Alistair Allan – Trombone, & Vocals
Richard Exall – Clarinet & Saxophone
Michael McQuaid – Clarinet & Saxophone
Robert Fowler – Clarinet & Saxophone
Martin Litton aka ‘Professor’ – Piano
Tom ‘Spats’ Langham – Guitar & Banjo
Malcolm Sked – Double Bass
Richard Pite – Drums
Enrico Tomasso – Trumpet
‘Magic’ Mike Henry – Trumpet
Peter Rudeforth – Trumpet
Jivin’ Miss Daisy
Simon Thorpe – Double Bass and Bandleader
Liz Fletcher – Vocals
Alex Garnett – Saxophone & Vocals
Enrico Tomasso – Trumpet
John Pearce – Piano
Matt Skelton – Drums
The Pete Allan Jazz Band
Pete Allen – Clarinet, Banjo, & Vocals
Chris Hodgkins – Trumpet
Roger Marks – Trombone
Dave Hanratty – Bass
Jim Newton – Drums
James Clemas – Piano
Richard Exell’s Shooting Stars
Richard Exall – Clarinet & Saxophone
Pete Rudeforth – Trumpet
Alistair Allan – Trombone
Graham Roberts – Banjo & Guitar
Mark Arnold – Double Bass
Nick Millward – Drums
The Djangoliers
Simon Hurley – Guitar
Rob Ford – Guitar
Zac Barrett – Clarinet
Andy Staples – Double Ba
Paula Jackman’s Jazz Masters
Paula Jackman – Clarinet & Saxophone
Mike Henry – Trumpet
Ian Bateman – Trombone
Hugh Crozier – Piano
Graham Collicot – Drums
Marc Easner – Sousaphone & Euphonium
The Jake Leg Jug Band
Alex Clarke – Saxophone and Clarinet
Richard Leach – Trombone
Warren James – Guitar, Banjo and vocals
Duncan Wilcox – Double Bass and vocals
Liam Ward – Harmonica, Jug, & Washboard
Jools & The Jazzohollicks
‘Baby’ Jools Aldridge – Drums
Richard Exall – Saxophone
‘Magic’ Mike Henry – Trumpet
Rob Pearce – Trombone
Warren James – Vocals, Guitar & Banjo
Jim Swinnerton – Double Bass
Ben Holder – Jazz Violin
Nick Millward – Drums
Jez Cook – Guitar
Paul Jefferies – Double Bass
38th Season
Bands who entertained us during the 38th Season included:
Ian Bateman’s Jazz Band
Ian Bateman – Trombone
Alan Bateman – Trumpet & Vocals
Trevor Whiting – Clarinet & Saxophones
Sean Moyses – Banjo & Guitar
Craig Milverton – Piano
Tom Clarke-Hill – Double Bass
Nick Millward – Drums
Tad Newton’s Jazzfriends
Tad Newton – Trombone and Vocals
Gary Wood – Trumpet, Flugelhorn and Vocals
Mike Wills – Clarinet & Saxophone
Alan Haughton – Piano
Tomas Pederson – Double Bass
Ronnie Fern – Drums
Rico and His Rythm
Enrico Tomasso – Trumpet and Vocals
Alistair Allan – Trombone
Tim Huskisson – Clarinet & Saxophone
Colin Goode – Piano
Martin Wheatley – Guitar & Banjo
John Sutton – Drums
John Maddocks’ Jazzmen
John Maddocks – Clarinet & Saxophone
Tom Connor – Trumpet
Chris Gower – Trombone
Chris Satterly – Piano
Peter McCurrie – Double Bass
John Hall – Drums
Andy Dickens – Banjo & Guitar
The Djangoliers
Simon Hurley – Guitar
Rob Ford – Guitar
Zac Barratt – Clarinet
Andy Staples – Double Bass
The Windy City Weatherbirds
Magnus Pickering – Trumpet
Joe Pickering – Clarinet
Daniel Pickering – Trombone
Chris Hyde-Harrisonstrong – Double Bass
Adam Merrell – Drums
Harrison Dolphin – Guitar
Sarah Spencer’s Transatlantic Band
Magic Mike Henry – Cornet
Rob Pearce – Trombone
Sarah Spencer – Reeds
Hugh Crozier – Piano
Jim Swinnerton – Double Bass
Rod Brown – Drums
The Harlem Meer Cats
Ned Bennet – Reeds
Jeff Williams – Trombone
Alan Berlyn – Trumpet
Colin Good – Piano
Jerome Davis – Double Bass
Matt Redmond – Banjo & Guitar
Richard Pite – Drums
Martin Litton & His Rythm Band
Janice Day – Vocals
Enrico Tomasso – Trumpet
Trevor Whiting – Reeds
Tom ‘Spats’ Langham – Guitar & Banjo
Malcolm Sked – Double Bass
Richard Pite – Drums
37th Season
Bands who entertained us during the 37th Season included:
Digby Fairweather & Friends
Peter Rudeforth (alias Digby) – Trumpet
Julian Marc Stringle – Clarinet & Saxophone
Alistair Allan – Trombone
Nick Dawson – Piano
John Ellmer – Drums
Murray Salmon – Double Bass
Dave Browning’s Jazz Cats
Alan Beeching – Trumpet
Richard Exell – Clarinet & Saxophone
Brian Butler – Trombone
Dave Browning – Piano
Graham Smith – Drums
Keith Donald – Double Bass
Simon Nelson’s Dixie Mix
Simon Nelson – Trumpet
Karl Wirrman – Clarinet & Saxophone
Chris Wigley – Trombone
Kevin West – Guitar & Banjo
Tony Wilkins – Drums
John Benson – Double Bass
The Forest Hill Owls
Harry Evans – Trumpet
Michael McQuaid – Clarinet & Saxophone
Chris Lowe – Trombone
Martin Wheatley – Guitar & Banjo
Nick Ball – Drums
Dave Horniblow – Baritone Saxophone
The Amy Roberts Quintet
Amy Roberts – Clarinet, Saxophone and Flute
Richard Exell – Clarinet & Tenor Saxophone
Richard Busiakeivicz – Piano
Nick Millward – Drums
Gavin Scott – Double Bass
Enrico Tomasso’s Swing Band
Enrico Tomasso – Trumpet
Michael McQuaid – Clarinet & Alto Saxophone
Mark Crooks – Clarinet & Tenor Saxophone
Colin Good – Piano
Nick Ball – Drums
Jerome Davis – Double Bass
Richard Leach’s Street Band
Richard Leach – Trombone
Tony Pipkin – Cornet
Zoltan Sagi – Clarinet
Martin Wheatley – Guitar & Banjo
Nick Ward – Drums
David Deakin – Sousaphone
Pete Allen’s Sextet
Pete Allen – Clarinet, Saxophone, Banjo, & vocals
Chris Hodgkins – Trumpet
Roger Marks – Trombone
James Clemas – Piano
Jim Newton – Drums
Dave Hanratty – Double Bass
Jules & the Jazzohollicks
“Baby” Jules Aldridge – Drums
Mike “Magic” Henry – Trumpet
Kevin Grenfell – Trombone
Karl Hurd – Clarinet & Saxophone
Warren James – Banjo & Guitar
Jim Swinnerton – Double Bass
36TH SEASON
Bands who entertained us during the 36th Season included:
Kevin Grenfell And His Jazz Giants
Kevin Grenfell – Trombone
Jeremy Huggett – Clarinet & Saxophone
Graham Hughes – Double Bass
James Clemas – Piano
Jules Aldridge aka ‘Baby Jools’ – Drums
The ‘All-Star’ Gala Concert Band
Mike Henry – Trumpet
Mike McQuaid – Clarinet & Saxophone
Alistair Allan – Trombone
Malcolm Sked aka ‘Skeddy’ – Double Bass & Sousaphone
Martin Litton aka ‘Professor’ – Piano
Tom Langham aka ‘Spatz’ – ‘Parlour’ Guitar & Banjo
Richard Pite – Drums
Graham Hughes And His Sunshine Kings
Peter Rudeforth – Trumpet
Duncan Hemstock – Clarinet & Saxophone
Graham Hughes – Trombone
Colin Good – Piano
Rupert Gillett – Double Bass
Laurence Corns – Guitar
Bubu Otis – Drums
Peter Rudeforth – Trumpet
Duncan Hemstock – Clarinet & Saxophone
Andy Flaxman – Trombone
Louis Thomas – Double Bass
John Ellmer – Drums
Tim Huskisson – Piano
The Julian Marc Stringle Sextet
Julian Marc Stringle – Clarinet & Saxophone
Anthony Kerr – Vibrophone
Dominic Ashworth – Guitar
Andy Cleyndert – Double Bass
Rod Brown – Drums
The Eagles Jazz Band
Richard Exall’s Shooting Stars
Peter Rudeforth – Trumpet
Richard Exall – Clarinet & Saxophone
Alistair Allan – Trombone
Colin Good – Piano
John Watson – Drums
Sean Moises – Guitar
Graham Read – Double Bass
New Orleans Heat
Useful Links
Below are links to some excellent websites for jazz lovers – click on the title to go straight to each web site:
The Jazz Centre UK – the brainchild of our very own patron Digby Fairweather,TJUK celebrates jazz in all its forms – check out the web site and visit the centre in Southend.
The National Jazz Archive – founded by Digby Fairweather in 1988 the mission of The National Jazz Archive is to safeguard the heritage of jazz in the UK.
ukjazzbandfan – view videos of many of the bands that have performed at The Budworth taken by Bill Stock.
CHARITIES SUPPORTED
Below are links to the websites of some of the local charities we have supported over the years – click on the title to go straight to each web site:
Essex and Herts Air Ambulance (‘E&HAA’) – we have supported this vital service for several years. E&HAA invited our members to a ‘behind the scenes’ webinar held on Wednesday 10th March 2021 at 10.00 am. If you were not able to log in to watch the webinar live you can catch a recorded version here – please note the webinar proper starts after 9 minutes 20 seconds. Here is their letter thanking us for our most recent donation.
St. Clare Hospice – this local hospice which offers compassionate care to those facing a life-limiting diagnosis, and their loved ones, is regularly chosen by members for our charitable support.
Dementia Friendly Bowls – the Alzheimer’s Society sponsors this project to enable people with dementia to continue to be active in the community by playing short-mat bowling.
Kids in Need – is a local charity dedicated to supporting children who are terminally or seriously ill, or who have multiple disabilities – here is their letter thanking us for our recent donation.
Little Havens – is a nursing-led hospice that provides care for children and young people up to age 25 from Essex, who have been diagnosed with a complex or incurable condition.
DOWNLOADS
Click on the PDF icon to download a document directly to your computer or tablet.
Concert Booking Form – 
Kids In Need acknowledgement letter May 2022 –
Essex & Herts acknowledgement letter January 2025 –
Newsletters:
Members Newsletter February 2023 –
Members Newsletter January 2023 –
Members Newsletter October 2022 –
Members Newsletter September 2022 –
Members Newsletter May 2022 –
Members Newsletter January 2022 –
Programme Flyers:
40th Season Programme –
President: Digby Fairweather
Committee:
Alistair Allan – Chairman: 01277 896041
Debbie Keska – Treasurer: 01277 365670
Paul Keska – Bookings Secretary: 07768 815390
John Root – 01277 363989
Christine Davis – Charity & Raffle Co-ordinator: 01277 890283
Pauline Lester – Caterer: 01277 890369
Jim Davis – Web Site Co-ordinator: 01277 890283
Get In Touch
Membership
For details of membership and for ticket sales contact:
Paul Keska – 07768 815390
