DORSET YOUTH JAZZ ORCHESTRA + special guest IAIN BALLAMY at The Mowlem
2026-06-06 19:30 - 21:30 (Europe/London) | The Mowlem Theatre, Shore Road, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 1DD, United Kingdom
DORSET YOUTH JAZZ ORCHESTRA (DYJO), led by renowned local musician Terry Quinney, features talented young players on a full big band lineup. Expect classic and contemporary jazz, performed by the next generation of jazz musicians. For this gig DYJO will be joined by UK jazz legend Iain Ballamy on saxophone.
This gig will take place in The Studio at The Mowlem Theatre,
Shore Road, Swanage, BH19 1DD.
Ticket link below
Dorset Youth Jazz Orchestra (DYJO) is an intermediate to advanced youth jazz orchestra made up of the big band instrument mix including: trumpet, trombone, saxophone, electric guitar, bass guitar, keyboard, drum kit, double bass and voice.
Saxophonist Iain Ballamy is widely considered to be one of the most intriguing and creative players on the UK and European jazz scenes today. His music transcends genres and he has forged strong and ongoing relationships with musicians around the globe and has worked with many of the cutting-edge figures in Jazz. Highlights of a career spanning nearly 30 years include working with Loose Tubes, Bill Bruford’s Earthworks, Hermeto Pascoal, Django Bates, Kenny Werner, Gil Evans, George Coleman, John Taylor, June Tabor, Huw Warren, Richard Rodney Bennett’s ‘Concerto for Stan Getz’, Ian Shaw, Claire Martin, Everything but the Girl, Mike Gibbs, Carla Bley and many more. Ballamy teaches at the Royal Academy and Guildhall school of music in London.
“A major international voice.” Chris Parker, The Times
“Ballamy…leaves you in absolute awe…the sheer virtuosity and sense of joy makes you feel like a kid about to step onto a twinkling, old-fashioned merry-go-round” BBC
Presented by SoundCellar in association with Swanage Jazz Festival.
Admission is £10 (+£1 booking fee)
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LIVESTREAM - DORSET YOUTH JAZZ ORCHESTRA + special guest IAIN BALLAMY at The Mowlem
2026-06-06 19:31 - 21:30 | LIVESTREAM, United Kingdom
DORSET YOUTH JAZZ ORCHESTRA (DYJO), led by renowned local musician Terry Quinney, features talented young players on a full big band lineup. Expect classic and contemporary jazz, performed by the next generation of jazz musicians. For this gig DYJO will be joined by UK jazz legend Iain Ballamy on saxophone.
Click here for tickets to attend the physical gig.
Livestream Ticket link below
Dorset Youth Jazz Orchestra (DYJO) is an intermediate to advanced youth jazz orchestra made up of the big band instrument mix including: trumpet, trombone, saxophone, electric guitar, bass guitar, keyboard, drum kit, double bass and voice.
Saxophonist Iain Ballamy is widely considered to be one of the most intriguing and creative players on the UK and European jazz scenes today. His music transcends genres and he has forged strong and ongoing relationships with musicians around the globe and has worked with many of the cutting-edge figures in Jazz. Highlights of a career spanning nearly 30 years include working with Loose Tubes, Bill Bruford’s Earthworks, Hermeto Pascoal, Django Bates, Kenny Werner, Gil Evans, George Coleman, John Taylor, June Tabor, Huw Warren, Richard Rodney Bennett’s ‘Concerto for Stan Getz’, Ian Shaw, Claire Martin, Everything but the Girl, Mike Gibbs, Carla Bley and many more. Ballamy teaches at the Royal Academy and Guildhall school of music in London.
“A major international voice.” Chris Parker, The Times
“Ballamy…leaves you in absolute awe…the sheer virtuosity and sense of joy makes you feel like a kid about to step onto a twinkling, old-fashioned merry-go-round” BBC
Presented by SoundCellar in association with Swanage Jazz Festival.
The livestream will be broadcast on YouTube, via a page available when you purchase a ticket through the link below.
All advance ticket buyers will receive an exclusive link to a video of the evening’s performance, available for one month.
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JOHN LAW, ANT LAW: THE LAWS OF (E)MOTION
2026-06-14 19:30 - 21:30 | SoundCellar at The Grasshopper, 139 - 141 Bournemouth Rd, Poole, Dorset, BH14 9HT, United Kingdom
London-based guitarist and composer Ant Law, described by Jazzwise as “scarily proficient,” joins pianist and composer John Law (“one of the UK’s most imaginative jazz pianists” – International Piano Magazine) to present The Laws of (E)Motion.
This gig will take place at The Grasshopper,
139 – 141 Bournemouth Rd, Poole BH14 9HT.
Please note: If parking in either of the car parks at The Grasshopper, you must register your vehicle on one of the dedicated terminals at the bar or in the function room.
Ticket link below
Performing a new suite of pieces by John Law, exploring interweaving lines, pulsing rhythms and subtle harmonies, plus other original music by both of them, the duo creates chamber music both intricate and simple, exploring textures, colour, and space and with plenty of rhythmic energy! A study of motion/emotion within the world of groove and pulse. And all within the dialectic of composed versus improvised spontaneity.
John Law, a prize-winning classical prodigy on piano, turned away from classical piano studies to pursue jazz and improvised music when he was 23 and has been involved in, and acclaimed for, a wide variety of contemporary jazz and classical projects: from solo piano concerts and albums, through trio and quartet tours and recordings, right through to large scale works for his semi-classical ensemble Cornucopia.
He has played at over fifty festivals worldwide including North Sea Jazz Festival (Rotterdam), Delhi International Jazz Festival and London Jazz Festival at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, and in clubs and concert halls all over the UK, mainland Europe, North America and beyond, working with musicians as diverse as Gwilym Simcock, Andy Sheppard, Jason Rebello, Tim Garland and Evan Parker. He has recorded over forty albums. John’s main projects currently are his acclaimed quartet Congregation, featuring Mercury Prize nominee James Mainwaring and playing John’s original music, bringing together acoustic and electronic music, his all-acoustic quartet Re-Creations, featuring Parliamentary Jazz Award winner Sam Crockatt, playing versions of tunes from jazz/pop/classical and Renaissance, an ambient, electronic keyboards project with saxophonist Jon Lloyd and visual artist Patrick Dunn, playing improvised music over samples created out of sacred vocal music from the 15th and 16th centuries.
Ant Law is a highly regarded British jazz guitarist, composer and bandleader known for his inventive and forward-thinking approach to contemporary jazz. Described by The Guardian as “a game changer” and “an innovator”, Law studied physics at Edinburgh University and spent time at Berklee College of Music before settling in London and establishing himself on the international jazz scene. He has released several critically acclaimed albums since his 2013 debut Entanglement, blending complex harmonies, rhythmic creativity and expressive improvisation. Law leads his own ensembles, including his long-running quintet and collaborative projects such as the ongoing Same Moon in the Same World with saxophonist Alex Hitchcock, and co-leads the genre-bending Trio HLK. Beyond his own work, he performs with a wide range of leading musicians and appears frequently at jazz festivals and venues across the UK and abroad. His 2025 album Unified Theories features ten original compositions performed by an all-star ensemble including Will Vinson (alto sax), Gwilym Simcock (piano), Orlando le Fleming (bass), Ernesto Simpson (drums) and vocalist Brigitte Beraha.
John Law: piano
Ant Law: guitar
Entry is £17.50 (no booking fee) in advance through the below link, or £20 on the door (cash or card).
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LIVESTREAM - JOHN LAW, ANT LAW: THE LAWS OF (E)MOTION
2026-06-14 19:31 - 21:30 | LIVESTREAM, United Kingdom
London-based guitarist and composer Ant Law, described by Jazzwise as “scarily proficient,” joins pianist and composer John Law (“one of the UK’s most imaginative jazz pianists” – International Piano Magazine) to present The Laws of (E)Motion.
Click here for tickets to attend the physical gig.
Livestream Ticket link below
Performing a new suite of pieces by John Law, exploring interweaving lines, pulsing rhythms and subtle harmonies, plus other original music by both of them, the duo creates chamber music both intricate and simple, exploring textures, colour, and space and with plenty of rhythmic energy! A study of motion/emotion within the world of groove and pulse. And all within the dialectic of composed versus improvised spontaneity.
John Law, a prize-winning classical prodigy on piano, turned away from classical piano studies to pursue jazz and improvised music when he was 23 and has been involved in, and acclaimed for, a wide variety of contemporary jazz and classical projects: from solo piano concerts and albums, through trio and quartet tours and recordings, right through to large scale works for his semi-classical ensemble Cornucopia.
He has played at over fifty festivals worldwide including North Sea Jazz Festival (Rotterdam), Delhi International Jazz Festival and London Jazz Festival at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, and in clubs and concert halls all over the UK, mainland Europe, North America and beyond, working with musicians as diverse as Gwilym Simcock, Andy Sheppard, Jason Rebello, Tim Garland and Evan Parker. He has recorded over forty albums. John’s main projects currently are his acclaimed quartet Congregation, featuring Mercury Prize nominee James Mainwaring and playing John’s original music, bringing together acoustic and electronic music, his all-acoustic quartet Re-Creations, featuring Parliamentary Jazz Award winner Sam Crockatt, playing versions of tunes from jazz/pop/classical and Renaissance, an ambient, electronic keyboards project with saxophonist Jon Lloyd and visual artist Patrick Dunn, playing improvised music over samples created out of sacred vocal music from the 15th and 16th centuries.
Ant Law is a highly regarded British jazz guitarist, composer and bandleader known for his inventive and forward-thinking approach to contemporary jazz. Described by The Guardian as “a game changer” and “an innovator”, Law studied physics at Edinburgh University and spent time at Berklee College of Music before settling in London and establishing himself on the international jazz scene. He has released several critically acclaimed albums since his 2013 debut Entanglement, blending complex harmonies, rhythmic creativity and expressive improvisation. Law leads his own ensembles, including his long-running quintet and collaborative projects such as the ongoing Same Moon in the Same World with saxophonist Alex Hitchcock, and co-leads the genre-bending Trio HLK. Beyond his own work, he performs with a wide range of leading musicians and appears frequently at jazz festivals and venues across the UK and abroad. His 2025 album Unified Theories features ten original compositions performed by an all-star ensemble including Will Vinson (alto sax), Gwilym Simcock (piano), Orlando le Fleming (bass), Ernesto Simpson (drums) and vocalist Brigitte Beraha.
John Law: piano
Ant Law: guitar
The livestream will be broadcast on YouTube, via a page available when you purchase a ticket through the link below.
All advance ticket buyers will receive an exclusive link to a video of the evening’s performance, available for one month.
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TESS HIRST
2026-06-19 19:45 - 22:00 | Lighthouse, Poole, 21 Kingland Road, Poole, BH15 1UG, United Kingdom
SoundCellar and Lighthouse Studio Jazz are extremely excited to co-present one of the leading lights on London’s contemporary jazz scene, vocalist/composer TESS HIRST, with her great band.
This gig will take place in the Sherling Studio, Lighthouse Poole, 21 Kingland Road, Poole, BH15 1UG
Ticket link below
Tess emerged on the UK jazz scene in 2017 as featured vocalist on Daniel Casimir’s debut EP Escapee. She and Daniel then caused a stir with the release of their excellent collaborative album These Days, in 2019.
But it was her attention-grabbing and critically acclaimed, second album 2024’s HERstory, that really sealed Hirst’s reputation on the UK jazz scene as a potent songwriter and performer, with listeners and audiences swept into a world where she skilfully intertwines the traditional with the innovative, crafting music that speaks to the soul of modern womanhood.
Her work, especially through her association with the pioneering London based label Jazz Re:freshed and with the jazz development organisation Tomorrow’s Warriors, has been pivotal in highlighting the evolution of jazz as not just a genre, but a medium for storytelling, empowerment, and change.
Tess brings a fantastic band with her to Poole, including Lighthouse headliner from earlier this year, Daniel Casimir, along with a debut by Ben Riches, plus SoundCellar returns for Robert Mitchell and Jamie Murray.
“Tess Hirst’s vocals back to the fore, the sweetness of her tone at startling odds with her message about liberation” London Jazz News
“Hirst has crafted urban folk tunes whose raw realism comes buoyed by beats and leavened by moments of beauty” **** JazzWise
Tess Hirst: voice
Daniel Casimir: bass
Robert Mitchell: keyboards
Jamie Murray: drums
Ben Riches: guitar
General admission: £20
Student admission: £10
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THOKOZILE COLLECTIVE at The Mowlem
2026-08-07 19:00 - 21:00 | The Mowlem Theatre, Shore Road, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 1DD, United Kingdom
Thokozile Collective play joyous world jazz sounds, heavily influenced by Southern and West Africa, as well as the London acid jazz scene.

Please note: Cheikh Diop is also offering an African Drumming Workshop on the same day (2 workshops, 2-3pm and 3.30-4.30pm). Discounted tickets available for the Thokozile gig if you participate in the workshop.
This gig will take place in The Studio at The Mowlem Theatre,
Shore Road, Swanage, BH19 1DD.
Ticket link below
Originally formed in 2010 on the back of a British Council music exchange with South Africa. The band continued as a legacy of that project and played sporadic gigs in local venues along with supporting name bands such as James Taylor Quartet, New Cool Collective, Osibisa and others, honing its live set and growing a local following.
The band settled into its current sextet line up in the early 2020s with African, Canadian, European and British members. Eponymous debut album Thokozile Collective dropped in 2024, consisting of a couple of originals plus some South African jazz standards and other tunes from different genres the band had played live over the first few years. It garnered rave reviews in the UK and in Europe; ‘a wonderful debut…remarkable’ stated Liverpool Sound and Vision; ‘Accomplished… fun, enjoyable’ stated Songlines; ‘A masterfully good record’ beamed Dutch site, Moors Magazine.
Dan Somogyi: keyboards/guitar
Terry Quinney: saxes
Rob Palmer: guitar
Jack Shaughnessy: bass
Neil Evans: drums
Cheikh Diop: percussion
Admission is £15
Drumming Workshop Ticketholder (adult) £11
Under 18 £6
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TOM BARFORD QUINTET
2026-09-10 19:30 - 21:30 | SoundCellar at The Grasshopper, 139 - 141 Bournemouth Rd, Poole, Dorset, BH14 9HT, United Kingdom
Celebrate the release of Live at the Parakeet with Tom Barford and his all-star quintet! Joining the award-winning saxophonist are world-class musicians James Copus, Ivo Neame, Jonny Wickham, and Oli Hayhurst.
This gig will take place at The Grasshopper,
139 – 141 Bournemouth Rd, Poole BH14 9HT.
Please note: If parking in either of the car parks at The Grasshopper, you must register your vehicle on one of the dedicated terminals at the bar or in the function room.
Ticket link below
Expect an eclectic night of high-velocity virtuosity, original compositions inspired by Wayne Shorter and Vince Mendoza, and fresh arrangements of Joe Henderson classics. Since winning the Kenny Wheeler Prize and releasing his acclaimed debut BLOOMER on Edition Records, Barford has continued to push boundaries releasing music with the co-lead band AUB. Don’t miss this chance to hear his brilliant new project live while the music is fresh!
Tom Barford gained a scholarship place on the Undergraduate Jazz Programme at the Royal Academy of Music in 2013 earning a First Class Hons degree in 2017. During his time at the Academy, he slowly became recognised as one of the most exciting players on the international jazz scene. Tom released his Kenny Wheeler Prize winning album BLOOMER on Edition Records back in 2018. Tom also enjoys co-leading AuB- who released their debut album in May 2020, also on Edition Records, with another album in the works.
Previous performance highlights have included multiple performances at Ronnie Scott’s (Billy Cobham Big Band, Gigs under Tom’s Name, The London Super Sax Project), The Royal Albert Hall (BBC Proms, Guy Barker Big Band, Ronnie Scott’s 60th Anniversary concert), and multiple international tours with artists such as Bill McHenry, Gerald Cleaver, and Joel Harrison.
“Barford’s sleight of hand as composer, leader, soloist warrants great attention.” — Jazzwise
Tom Barford: saxophone
James Copus: trumpet
Ivo Neame: piano
Oli Hayhurst: bass
Jonny Wickham: drums
Entry is £17.50 (no booking fee) in advance through the below link, or £20 on the door (cash or card).
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LIVESTREAM - TOM BARFORD QUINTET
2026-09-10 19:31 - 21:30 | LIVESTREAM, United Kingdom
Celebrate the release of Live at the Parakeet with Tom Barford and his all-star quintet! Joining the award-winning saxophonist are world-class musicians James Copus, Ivo Neame, Jonny Wickham, and Oli Hayhurst.
Click here for tickets to attend the physical gig.
Livestream Ticket link below
Expect an eclectic night of high-velocity virtuosity, original compositions inspired by Wayne Shorter and Vince Mendoza, and fresh arrangements of Joe Henderson classics. Since winning the Kenny Wheeler Prize and releasing his acclaimed debut BLOOMER on Edition Records, Barford has continued to push boundaries releasing music with the co-lead band AUB. Don’t miss this chance to hear his brilliant new project live while the music is fresh!
Tom Barford gained a scholarship place on the Undergraduate Jazz Programme at the Royal Academy of Music in 2013 earning a First Class Hons degree in 2017. During his time at the Academy, he slowly became recognised as one of the most exciting players on the international jazz scene. Tom released his Kenny Wheeler Prize winning album BLOOMER on Edition Records back in 2018. Tom also enjoys co-leading AuB- who released their debut album in May 2020, also on Edition Records, with another album in the works.
Previous performance highlights have included multiple performances at Ronnie Scott’s (Billy Cobham Big Band, Gigs under Tom’s Name, The London Super Sax Project), The Royal Albert Hall (BBC Proms, Guy Barker Big Band, Ronnie Scott’s 60th Anniversary concert), and multiple international tours with artists such as Bill McHenry, Gerald Cleaver, and Joel Harrison.
“Barford’s sleight of hand as composer, leader, soloist warrants great attention.” — Jazzwise
Tom Barford: saxophone
James Copus: trumpet
Ivo Neame: piano
Oli Hayhurst: bass
Jonny Wickham: drums
The livestream will be broadcast on YouTube, via a page available when you purchase a ticket through the link below.
All advance ticket buyers will receive an exclusive link to a video of the evening’s performance, available for one month.
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ANKORA feat. BREEN & BOIZI
2026-10-23 19:45 - 22:00 | Lighthouse, Poole, 21 Kingland Road, Poole, BH15 1UG, United Kingdom
SoundCellar and Lighthouse Studio Jazz are extremely pleased to bring some of the undoubted stars of the future, here to Poole, when we present ANKORA feat. BREEN & BOIZI
This gig will take place in the Sherling Studio, Lighthouse Poole, 21 Kingland Road, Poole, BH15 1UG
Ticket link below
Ankora ft. Breen & Boizi is primarily a collaboration between friends: the joining together of musical ideas formed at the celebrated artist development organisation ‘Tomorrow’s Warriors’ and developed through immersion in the creativity and pace of today’s vibrant London jazz scene.
The name ‘Ankora’ is derived from the Latin word for ‘anchor’ (anchora): a symbol of groundedness, hope and a connection to roots. These connotations are expressed through their repertoire of both originals and covers of powerful jazz tunes. The name links to an alternative meaning in Italian, ‘again’, marking the momentum of their rebirth as they continue their musical and artistic journey following mentorship within Tomorrow’s Warriors.
The band’s influences include the legacies of Freddie Hubbard, Herbie Hancock, Joe Henderson and Wayne Shorter, while branching out to the more contemporary mastery of esperanza spalding, Geri Allen, Jeff ‘Tain’ Watts and Kenny Kirkland. The ensemble takes inspiration from the spark and power of these jazz legends, compositionally and in their playing.
Tonight, Ankora join forces with Breen and Boizi: two composers and improvisers in their own right, and together a dynamic duo who have recently joined forces to lead a new and up-coming band. Their years of sharing the stage, as well as their lasting friendship, shine in their frontline playing. Breen’s powerful and bright alto sax tone blends beautifully with Boizi’s warm, soulful trombone; an exciting addition to the double trumpet Ankora frontline of Clifton and Devlin. Along with guitarist Adebanjo and bassist Dimitrova, we are delighted here at SoundCellar to welcome back pianist Abuoma and drummer Radford, who performed for us in May this year in their fantastic trio SULA.
With pre-show Q&A at 7.45pm
Hannah Clifton: Trumpet
Klara Devlin: Trumpet
Tami Adebanjo: Guitar
Aleks Dimitrova: Bass
Miranda Radford: Drums
Kezia Abuoma: Piano
Christ-Stéphane Boizi: Trombone
Lauren Breen: Sax
Ankora photography credit: Jamie Broadis
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CHRIST-STÉPHANE BOIZI QUINTET
2026-11-12 19:30 - 21:30 | SoundCellar at The Grasshopper, 139 - 141 Bournemouth Rd, Poole, Dorset, BH14 9HT, United Kingdom
SoundCellar and Tomorrow’s Warriors collaborate once again to present the outstanding Christ-Stéphane Boizi Quintet
This gig will take place at The Grasshopper,
139 – 141 Bournemouth Rd, Poole BH14 9HT.
Trombonist, composer, bandleader, and a Tomorrow’s Warriors Emerging Artist, Christ-Stéphane Boizi is already making his mark on the London jazz scene, but his reputation is set to soar with the news that he has signed to Mark Kavuma’s Banger Factory Records label, with his debut LP As The Spirit Leads scheduled for release later in the year.
Boizi’s sound is steeped in the hard bop tradition – carrying influences of the legacy of by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, Horace Silver, and Jackie McLean. With his compositions he creates his own a sonic exploration of his close personal connection to the music of the Black Christian Church together with that hard bop sound.
Christ-Stéphane is also member of the acclaimed Nu Civilisation Orchestra, and was a featured soloist in Mississippi Goddamn, a celebration of Nina Simone at the Royal Festival Hall, he has also performed with Brazilian maestro Arthur Verocai at the Barbican.
SoundCellar regulars will also get to see Christ-Stéphane, saxophonist Lauren Breen and the return to SoundCellar of Sula’s pianist Kezia Abuoma, here in Poole a month before, when they perform in our latest SoundCellar/Lighthouse Studio Jazz collaboration presenting Ankora feat Breen & Boizi on Fri 23rd October (details on our website front and gig pages).
This performance is part of Tomorrow’s Warriors’ Warriors Rise initiative, which sees the acclaimed jazz talent development organisation support three emerging Warriors’ artists, including Christ-Stéphane, across a seven-date run of UK gigs, providing tour planning and marketing mentoring.
Warriors Rise is supported by Music Venues Trust in association with Liveline and the LIVE Trust, the Stanley Thomas Johnson Foundation and is a PRS Foundation Talent Development Network Partner initiative supported by PPL.
About Tomorrow’s Warriors
If you know your UK jazz, then you probably already know Tomorrow’s Warriors. For the last 35 years, Tomorrow’s Warriors has played a vital role within its community and the wider music industry and has been credited with literally changing the face of UK jazz.
Free access to Tomorrow’s Warriors artistic programme has proved crucial in nurturing the nascent talent and early careers of so many of the most exciting UK artists currently tearing up the international jazz scene including Mercury Prize 2023 winners Ezra Collective, Moses Boyd, Nubya Garcia, Shabaka Hutchings and Sons of Kemet, ESKA, Jason Yarde, Denys Baptiste, Robert Mitchell, Soweto Kinch, Shirley Tetteh, Byron Wallen, Mark Kavuma, Sultan Stevenson, CHERISE, Donovan Haffner…the list goes on.
Tomorrow’s Warriors offers a pioneering, comprehensive programme of learning and training which champions and supports young Black and female talent and those who come from challenging circumstances that would be a barrier to accessing opportunities to pursue a music career.
“Tomorrow’s Warriors occupies a unique and vital space in our cultural landscape. Their work in helping positively shape future generations is of critical importance especially with the tribulations we currently face. Please keep supporting – each one, teach one!” Gilles Peterson
Christ-Stéphane Boizi: Trombone
Lauren Breen: Alto Saxophone
Kezia Abuoma: Piano
Tom Sheen: Double Bass
Sacha Harlan: Drums
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SMIODAIR feat. Laura Jurd
2026-11-26 19:30 - 21:30 | SoundCellar at The Grasshopper, 139 - 141 Bournemouth Rd, Poole, Dorset, BH14 9HT, United Kingdom
Smiodair is an international quartet performing original music that draws on a body of work spanning jazz, improvised music and West African rhythm traditions. The music weaves effortlessly between memorable themes and spontaneous interplay, with thunderous grooves colliding with dreamlike sonic landscapes. Without a harmony instrument, the sound is raw, open and direct, rich in melody, rhythm and infectious energy.
This gig will take place at The Grasshopper,
139 – 141 Bournemouth Rd, Poole BH14 9HT.
Please note: If parking in either of the car parks at The Grasshopper, you must register your vehicle on one of the dedicated terminals at the bar or in the function room.
Ticket link below
Smiodair is an international quartet with roots that go back over twenty years. Drummer Dave Smith and saxophonist Robin Fincker first played together at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, going on to co-found the Loop Collective in London in 2005, a venue, festival and record label that became a hub for the UK and European creative music scene. Their long creative partnership continued through Outhouse, the Ruhabi project and Splice, accumulating a body of work that spans jazz, improvised music and West African rhythm traditions.
Bassist Simon Jermyn came into the fold through a collaboration between Dublin’s Bottlenote Collective and the Loop Collective in 2006, before a decade in New York and a move to Berlin that took his playing to new places.
The word Smiodair, from the Irish for fragments or small broken pieces, captures something true about three musicians whose paths have diverged and reconnected across London, Paris, Dublin, New York and Berlin.
For their UK tour in November 2026, the trio expands to a quartet with the addition of trumpeter Laura Jurd, one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary British jazz. The new line-up deepens the band’s sonic palette while staying true to the collective, compositional spirit at its heart.
Playing original music composed by all four members, the quartet constantly weaves between composition and improvisation, thunderous grooves colliding with dreamlike sonic landscapes. Without a harmony instrument, the music is raw and direct, rich in melody and rhythm.
Debut album in development. Release planned for 2027.
Robin Fincker: tenor saxophone/clarinet
Laura Jurd: trumpet
Simon Jermyn: bass
Dave Smith: drums
Entry is £17.50 (no booking fee) in advance through the below link, or £20 on the door (cash or card).
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TOM OLLENDORFF QUARTET
2026-12-04 19:45 - 22:00 | Lighthouse, Poole, 21 Kingland Road, Poole, BH15 1UG, United Kingdom
Studio Jazz and SoundCellar Poole are excited to present rising-star guitarist Tom Ollendorff with his quartet which features acclaimed saxophonist Will Vinson (Kurt Rosenwinkel, Chris Potter, Rufus Wainwright).
This gig will take place in the Sherling Studio, Lighthouse Poole, 21 Kingland Road, Poole, BH15 1UG
Ticket link below
Best known for his singular guitar voice, melodic imagination and emotional clarity, Ollendorff has become one of the most compelling young artists of his generation. His quartet features acclaimed saxophonist Will Vinson (Kurt Rosenwinkel, Chris Potter, Rufus Wainwright), alongside the in-demand rhythm section of bassist Conor Chaplin (Emma Rawicz, Billy Cobham, Jacob Collier) and drummer David Ingamells (Anthony Strong, Kate Williams, Brandon Allen).
Born in London in 1992, guitarist Tom Ollendorff graduated from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in 2015, the same year he received the Yamaha Parliamentary Jazz Scholarship. He began his professional career in London in 2016 and released his debut album A Song For You in 2021, earning international acclaim and touring widely across Europe, Asia and Australasia, including venues such as Ronnie Scott’s and festivals like Jazz à Vienne and the London Jazz Festival.
His second album, Open House (2023), featured his long-standing trio with Marc Michel (drums) and Conor Chaplin (bass), alongside special guest American saxophonist Ben Wendel. That year, he also co-led Enchanted with American drummer Ari Hoenig. In 2024, he released his first solo album, Solo Volume 1, on Ubuntu Records, followed by solo performances across Europe.
Known for his distinctive sound, Ollendorff combines technical precision with harmonic sophistication and sensitivity. His 2022 publication Etudes has sold internationally, strengthening his reputation among guitarists worldwide. He has collaborated with leading jazz artists including Aaron Parks and Tim Garland, and is a visiting tutor at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and the Royal Academy of Music.
With pre-show Q&A at 7.45pm
Tom Ollendorff: guitar
Will Vinson: alto sax
Conor Chaplin: bass
David Ingamells: drums
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