An all-star line-up to open the 2026 Guildford Jazz and Soul Festival!

This year marks the centenary of the birth of Miles Davis, one of the most iconic and acclaimed figures in the history of jazz. Celebrating the influence of Miles’ legacy, the  Steve Waterman Octet presents a selection of music from Miles’ complete career, from Birth of the Cool through to Porgy and Bess and the Miles Ahead Gil Evans/Miles Davis collaborations, including Steve’s own arrangements of Miles’s compositions.

 The band feature some of the UK’s finest and most popular jazz musicians, including Steve Waterman (trumpet) , Mark Nightingale (trombone), Alan Barnes (alto sax), Dave O’Higgins (tenor sax), Karen Sharp (baritone sax), Gareth Williams (piano), Marianne Windham (bass), Clark Tracey (drums)

Pre gig menu from Mandira’s Kitchen (please see the Event Info tab for the menu)

Please click the tabs for more information

EVENT INFO

The performance is upstairs in Guildford Pavilion, The Sports Ground, Woodbridge Road, Guildford GU1 4RP

Please note there are no physical tickets, just give your name on the door when you arrive. There’ll be seating reserved for you.

Doors open and supper available from 7pm, music 8pm to approx 10pm. Licensed bar. Seating is cabaret style and there is a lift for disabled access.

Pre-gig Menu from Mandira’s Kitchen:

Mains

• Murgh Angara (Smoky chicken cooked over hot coals, deep with spice)

  OR

• Malai Paneer (Paneer in a gentle creamy gravy)

  WITH

• Yakhni Pulao (Basmati rice slow cooked in spice stock)

Accompaniments

• Vegetable Samosas (Crispy handmade pastry filled with spiced potatoes)

• and Beetroot Raita (MK’s signature refreshing beetroot raita with creamy yoghurt) and Green Chilli Chutney (Zesty chutney made with fresh green chillies and herbs)

TICKETS

Full Price £22* /Guildford Jazz Members £20

Students (Under 25) £10* / Student Members (Under 25) £7

Meals £15.50

*Ticket price includes £2 temporary membership of Guildford Jazz for this event

By purchasing a ticket, you confirm to Guildford Jazz that you have read, understood and agree to be bound by our terms and conditions which are available here

WHO'S PLAYING?

Steve Waterman - trumpet

Alan Barnes - alto sax

Dave O’Higgins – tenor sax

Karen Sharp – baritone sax

Mark Nightingale – trombone

Gareth Williams – piano

Marianne Windham – bass

Clark Tracey – drums

DIRECTIONS

The performance is upstairs in the Pavilion building at the Guildford County Cricket Club, The Sports Ground, Woodbridge Road, Guildford GU1 4RP

For sat navs please check the postcode takes you to Wharf Road. There’s a car park alongside, entry from Wharf Road. If you’re approaching from Guildford town centre, Wharf Road is on the left just before the Sports Ground. If you’re approaching from the A3/Ladymead there’s no right turn into Wharf Road, but continue to the next roundabout to double back.

The car park next to the Pavilion holds about 40 cars (to enable emergency access, cars can only park in the marked bays). Unless it’s very wet, the overflow car park at the far end of the Cricket ground will be open.

To access the overflow car park, turn left as you come out of Wharf Road and carry on along Woodbridge Road towards the railway bridge, and the entrance to the ground is just before the end of the green fence that runs along the perimeter of the ground, next to the Woodbridge Café.

You might prefer to use one of the larger public car parks which are just a few minutes walk away: the open air Mary Road Car Park (GU1 4QU) or multi-storey Bedford Road Car Park (GU1 4SJ)

SEATING

Seating is either in front row settees/armchairs, central round tables, or rear high chairs/tables. Seats will be reserved for you when you book. If you’re a Guildford Jazz member, please let us know if you have a seating preference in on the booking form.

Notes on the layout:

Front row: Seats 1 to 5 are sofas or armchairs

Middle tables: Tables 6 to 23 and 31 to 33 are small round tables , each seating 4 (for bookings of 1 or 2 seats, we’ll seat you at a table with others, please let us know if you have friends coming who you’d like to sit with!).

Rear tables: Tables 24 to 29 are tall tables with high stools.

Groups: If you have a group of 4 or more please let us know and we will try to seat you together