A 16-piece jazz orchestra, The Barnes Big Band, returns to St Mary’s Church in Frensham on Saturday November 21 for its third year. The band plays wide ranging and accessible big band jazz including the music of the Count Basie Orchestra right through to more modern compositions written for the Barnes band by musicians associated with it over the years.

Joining the band again is top jazz singer, Vanessa Rose, to perform some vocal favourites made famous by Ella Fitzgerald and Natalie Cole, daughter of the legendary Nat King Cole. Vanessa has appeared several times with the Barnes band in the last year, and is well known on the London jazz scene for her rich and soulful performances.

The programme will include music from top big band arrangers Sammy Nestico, Gordon Goodwin and Francy Boland as well as arrangements of Miles Davis tunes to celebrate the 100th birthday of the iconic jazz trumpeter.

The long-established band comprises some of the finest jazz musicians in the London area and is a mix of professional and semi-professional players with a passion for big band jazz. It is led by Dockenfield based trombonist Andrew Butcher who has played with the band for approaching 20 years but took over in 2018 from Stan Reynolds, a trumpet player with the internationally renowned Ted Heath Orchestra.

The concert will start at 7.30 pm but the bar will be open from 7pm and will remain open throughout the concert. Tickets for the evening include canapes that will be served at the interval. 

Tickets are £25 each and can be purchased online at www.ticketsource.com/frensham-pcc