Cambridge Modern Jazz CUC Wine Bar

Cambridge Modern Jazz is one of the longest-established and most successful jazz promoting organisations in the UK. It was founded in 1972 by Joan Morrell, who ran it until her death in 2011. Given the ups and downs of running such an organisation, this required great dedication and tenacity. Over the years it has operated in several venues around the city; these have ranged from pub rooms to restaurants, night clubs and even the idyllic surroundings of Kettle’s Yard, one of the country’s leading modern art galleries. It is now based at Cambridge University Centre Wine Bar, on Granta Place near the river. Cambridge Modern Jazz is run by an enthusiastic team of volunteers, some of whom have been associated with the organisation since its early years. Many of the musicians and organisers associated with CMJ have gone on to establish national profiles, and it has a high reputation in the jazz community. ECM artist Iain Ballamy, remembers the early enthusiasm to programme new, experimental, imaginative and sometimes obscure acts. CMJ’s guiding principle was, and remains, to champion, respect and support the music rather than ticket sales. As well as the ‘home’ venue of CUC Wine Bar, Cambridge Modern Jazz also works with other music/ arts organisations in the Cambridge area to present jazz events. In recent years CMJ has worked closely with Stapleford Granary to showcase jazz concerts in their high-quality auditorium. Another successful joint project is with Cambridge Jazz Festival, which takes place every November. Cambridge Modern Jazz operates at CUC Wine Bar year-round, usually twice monthly on Thursdays, with a break every summer from mid-July until the end of September. CMJ tries to present a varied programme of different styles of jazz, featuring both established talent and up-and-coming musicians, high quality local bands as well as nationally and internationally recognised musicians. Truly the home of jazz in Cambridge.