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Nottingham Jazz House - 10 Years at the Bonington Theatre
To me, the Bonnington via Jazz Steps through Nottingham Jazz with the brilliant Brian P is one of the most enjoyable & supportive stops on any serious jazz musician's travels around the great UK jazz spots.
The sound of the theatre, the atmosphere & the care that everyone takes over looking after the group (even remembering how many sugars in tea!) is really unlike any other.
Also the breaks it has given many up (hopefully!) & coming musicians - that not many people had heard of.. (me) - the chance to bring a group to a great venue like the Bonnington...CBE's anyone?
Dylan Howe
Just to say a big thanks to Nottingham Jazz House, to Tim, the two Bobs. To Alan and Joyce (for the words of support and the confidence boost!) And especially to Brian for supporting me over the years and giving me the chance to play.Top Geezer!!! We always love playing the Bonington. Keep on doing what you do. It's fantastic.
Damon Brown
The Bonington Theatre in Nottingham is one of the most adventurous
clubs in the UK, and I am therefore especially pleased at its
continuing success. Thanks to all involved for working so hard at
it, and hope to say something similar after 20 years!
Liam Noble
Would just like to say how much we enjoy performing at the Bonington Theatre for Nottingham Jazzhouse, the audiences are always warm & attentive. I hope the club continues to thrive and look forward to performing there in the not too distant future.
Very best wishes.
Andy Panayi
I really enjoyed my quintet gig earlier this year at the Bonington. As
always, we were very well looked after, and the sound was excellent.
Wishing everyone at Nottingham Jazzhouse all the best for the next 10
years!
Kate Williams
The Bonington Theatre is one of my favourite gigs on the jazz
circuit in the UK. As a venue it has just the right size of stage
with a superb grand piano, great acoustics & very good sound
system. In my experience there has always been a large, attentive
& enthusiastic audience. And if that wasn’t enough, Brian
Pearce & the other guys are always easy to deal with & make sure
that all the details are taken care. Unfortunately not every
venue makes you tea or coffee when you’ve just arrived
after a 3 hour drive & there isn’t always a meal provided.
Very few venues have so many boxes ticked…..
Congratulations on 10 years & I hope I’ll be celebrating 20
years with you!
Roger Beaujolais
"The Bonington Theatre is definitely one of the greatest Jazz
and creative music venues in the UK. I have performed there many
times with various groups and with my own group as well! Its
always great fun to play and meeting that great group of
dedicated people who work there for the jazz, sound and acoustics
is wonderful, and you'll always get some great pictures from the
gig! But most of all I feel that there is a warm and respectful
attitude toward the music and the musicians!
THANK YOU!!"
Asaf Sirkis
"A great theatre to play a jazz concert - good acoustics and
the audience close enough to achieve a relaxed and intimate
atmosphere."
Mark Nightingale
"The Bonington Theatre is one of my favourite jazz venues in
the country. It's a great hall with great atmosphere and
fantastic audience. I have played quite a few times there with
Gilad Atzmon's Orient House Ensemble. We always had great fun
playing there. On one of the gigs, just before our violinist,
Ovidiu Fratila, got married, we used the beginning of our second
set to audition in front of Ovidiu, to be the wedding band...We
needed someone to act as the father-in-law and Brian did the job
great. The audience went mad. That was a lot of
fun.....Congratulations to you and best wishes for many more
years of jazz!"
Yaron Stavi
"Nottingham Jazz House is definitely one of the best promoters
in the the UK and the Bonington Theatre is one of my favourite
places to play - great venue with excellent piano, big
performance space, and good sound. It is always a real pleasure
to play there. They program a wide variety of music too and the
audience is open minded and enthusiastic. I wish there were more
like it!"
Theo Travis
"The Bonington is the only venue on the circuit where I've
subsequently been called as a court witness having seen three
guys beating the crap out of each other outside - I don't think
it was related to the performance. It's always a fun gig and
we're always well looked after. Thanks to all involved for your
commitment to the music."
Arnie Somogyi
"This theatre somehow crosses the formality barrier and
becomes an ideal creative environment which encourages audience
interaction. It's a big favourite amongst jazz musicians and
audiences."
Clark Tracey
"I have done some storming gigs at the Bonington over the
years - particularly with the Zappatistas (who were in some ways
a creation of Nottingham Arts). Long may it continue as a jazz
venue-see you soon!"
John Etheridge
"For musicians this is one of the most welcoming and
knowledgeable gigs on the circuit. Playing here is a real
pleasure and the respect Jazz House gives always leads to
memorable performances."
Jan Kopinski
