With the all too familiar stories of jazz clubs across the UK struggling or even closing their doors it is exciting to be able to report the launch of new Jazz Club at Brewery Arts in Kendal.
Jazz is no stranger to the Brewery Arts and has recently been increasing its profile with an exceptional series of concerts featuring musicians from the UK and beyond. Recent visitors have included Fergus McCreadie Trio (from Scotland), Will Barnes Quartet (from Wales), Espen Eriksen Trio with Andy Sheppard (from (Norway/Portugal) and the Netherlands based Sam Newbould Quintet.
Encouraged by the attendances for the concerts Progamme Manager for Brewery Arts, Charlotte Tasker, decided with the interest in jazz that was in the area the time was right for a new jazz club, and has boldly forged ahead with plans to launch the club on 5th June. Looking ahead to the summer, autumn and winter seasons, Charlotte says “With huge admiration from our audiences since our recent Spring Jazz campaign, we felt it was the perfect time to deliver an established line-up for the rest of 2025, featuring the finest upcoming artists around the UK who skilfully master a reimagined art.”
Boasting two excellent performance rooms in their main theatre and Malt Room, Charlotte has laid out the Malt Room as a designated space for the Jazz Club with cabaret style seating to create relaxed yet vibrant atmosphere in which to enjoy the music. As part of the experience, you can also enjoy food and drink prior to the performances with a specially prepared Jazz Club menus with a food offer of two pizzas and a bottle of house wine.
With a handpicked line-up of the finest emerging artists in the North West and Scotland the first season for this enterprising new venture promises to serve up some fine music. First up is Manchester based band Nonunonu with their unique brand of nu-jazz fusion. Formed in 2019, Nonunonu have been delighting audiences around the UK with their blend of intricate compositions and electrifying improvisation and sure to kick off the Jazz Club with a show to remember.
The next Jazz Club event for the diary is Will James on 18th September bringing his own take on the blues with a distinctive and unique sound, he has been described as “creating inspired collections of modern blues (Blues in Britain Magazine, January 2023). Something of UK treasure, and one that we should be sure to keep hold of as the singer, guitarist and songwriter has already made an impact on the US blues scene having recorded his album Sundancer in North Hollywood, California that went on to reach the number 1 spot on the USA Soul Blues Album Charts upon its release in 2023.
The final concert of 2025 features the Jazz Club will welcome Glasgow based saxophonist and composer, Eleanor Colee. Originally from the North West of England, Eleanor moved across the border to study for her masters at the Jazz at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Eleanor brings a wide range of influences to bear on both her saxophone playing and composing finding inspiration in the work of Nubya Garcia and Pharoah Sanders, and her writing that can draws on her own personal experiences.
With such an imaginative programme of music leading us through summer right through to the winter months, Brewery Arts have once again raised awareness of the vast array of talent that falls under the broad umbrella that is jazz in the UK.
In addition to theatre and Malt Room, Brewery Arts also have a cinema complex that shows all the latest films and a Bar and Restaurant serving fine food, wine and a selection of locally brewed cask ales.
Located in the town centre with easy access to both rail and bus services, Brewery Arts is perfectly situated to offer some of the finest jazz from both UK and International musicians, to both local residents and the vast number of visitors that flock to the Lake District.
Click here for more information about Kendal’s New Jazz Club Opening at Brewery Arts.
