This special concert brings together San Francisco jazz vocalist Noa Levy and UK pianist and composer Paul Edis for a rare transatlantic collaboration, featuring special guest saxophonist Alan Barnes!
Centred around the music of Bill Evans—one of the most influential and beloved jazz pianists of all time—the performance offers a fresh perspective on his work through rarely heard vocal interpretations.
You’ll hear Evans’ compositions in a new light – some with original lyrics written by Paul and Noa – arranged with care and respect for the legend’s music & art. In between songs, hear snippets about Evans’ life and creative journey, giving insight into the emotional world behind the notes.
Whether you’re a lifelong fan of Bill Evans or discovering his music for the first time, this is a chance to experience his renowned “Universal Mind” & artistry from a more personal angle—through music & song. Click here for a taster!
With Joel Barford on drums and Marianne Windham on bass.
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, performance 8pm to about 10:15pm (with interval). Licensed bar. Seating is cabaret style and there is a lift for disabled access.
Pre-gig Menu from Mandira’s Kitchen: (please select chicken or vegetarian )
TICKETS
Full Price £20 /Guildford Jazz Members £18
Students £7 / Student Members £5
Meals £15.50
WHO'S PLAYING?
Paul Edis
Paul Edis stands as one of the UK’s leading creative musicians, earning prestigious recognition including Best Album at the 2023 Parliamentary Jazz Awards. Described by Jazz Journal as “a major voice in British Jazz,” Paul brings depth and sophistication to every performance.
Noa Levy
Currently lighting up San Francisco Bay Area’s jazz scene, Noa Levy captivates audiences with a swinging, authentic sound that JAZZIT Magazine calls “at the same time classic and contemporary.” Noa’s performances at prestigious venues like SFJAZZ and The Fillmore showcase her “expertly rendered selections” (NYC Jazz Record), and draw inspiration from her heroines Ella Fitzgerald and Carmen McRae.
Alan Barnes
One of the UK’s most popular jazz musicians, Alan Barnes is a prolific international performer, composer, arranger, bandleader and touring soloist. He is best known for his work on clarinet, alto and baritone sax, where he combines a formidable virtuosity with a musical expression and collaborative spirit that have few peers. His range and brilliance have made him a “first call” for studio and live work since his precocious arrival on the scene more than thirty years ago.
His recorded catalogue is immense. He has made over thirty albums as leader and co-leader alone, and the list of his session and side-man work includes Bjork, Bryan Ferry, Michel LeGrande, Clare Teale, Westlife, Jools Holland and Jamie Cullum. He has toured and played residencies with such diverse and demanding figures as Ruby Braff, Freddie Hubbard, Scott Hamilton, Warren Vache, Ken Peplowski, Harry Allen and Conte Candoli.
Alan Barnes’s unique musicianship, indefatigable touring, and warm rapport with audiences have made him uniquely popular in British jazz. He has received over 25 British Jazz Awards, most recently in 2014 for clarinet, and has twice been made BBC Jazz Musician of the Year
Joel Barford
Without doubt one of the most talented young drummers in the UK today, Joel Barford has already performed with a variety of people such as the Nigel Price Organ Trio, Alfie Boe, Omar, Ball & Boe, Anthony Strong, Roy Wood, Michael Ball, Louis Dowdeswell Big Band, Ronnie Scott's Jazz Orchestra, Dennis Rollins, Jo Harrop, Callum Au, Dave Douglas, Marshall Gilkes, Jim Mullen, Laurence Cottle, Tom Seals, Chris Montague, Trish Clowes, Tom Ollendroff, Alessio Menconi, The Filthy Six, Alex Garnett, Andrew McCormack, Alex Hitchcock, CC Smugglers, Greg Coulson, Ashton Jones, Dave O'Higgins, Big Daddy Wilson, Liane Carroll and many more.
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 32 are small 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 suitable for 2 people, with high stools.
Groups: Table 31 and 32 are suitable for larger group of 6 or more
High stools : 30 and 34 are single high stools (no table) , suitable for 1 to 3 people