Cafe Yukari Richmond reviews by real event-goers

Review of Jazz on the Plaza - Simon Bates

I was really looking forward to this gig after being very impressed by Simon Bates' contribution to MIE's "Three Simons" event at Sunbury last Christmas, and wasn't disappointed. This time he switched to alto sax and clarinet on a great selection of classics, including nods to such alto greats as Charlie Parker (including Yardbird Suite and Billie's Bounce) and, still with us at 95, Lou Donaldson (Blues Walk). Other standards included Triste, All The Things You Are, My One and Only Love, Just Squeeze Me and a nicely funky vesrion of Rollins' perennial favourite St. Thomas. Very enjoyable evening in the elegant surroundings of Cafe Yukari, only slightly marred by the rather disappointing turnout. What is the matter with the supposedly music-loving British public ?

Review of Jazz on the Plaza - Simon Bates

Brilliant music and great ambiance. I would thoroughly recommend this event .

Review of Jazz on the Plaza - Simon Bates

Great venue and great music. A really lovely cafe, with a grand piano! The staff are really friendly and ensure that everything is enjoyable.

Review of Jazz on the Plaza - Simon Bates

Great night with good music and brilliant company

Review of Jazz on the Plaza

Unmissable gig featuring the great Italian tenor (sax) Roberto M. supported by our own TC on Fazioli piano and the excellent Richard Sadler on double bass in the elegant surroundings of the intimate Cafe Yukari. Wonderful improvisation not only in the musicianship but also quite obviously in the set list. Roberto's usual policy of pairs of numbers starting with the same letter was quickly abandoned after an initial All The Things You Are and Alone Together, so we were treated to a couple of Jobim classics (Triste and Wave) and a string of others from the Great American Songbook and elsewhere. Other highlights were the Duke's In A Sentimental Mood, Bernie's Tune, Billie's Bounce (I think) and Speak Low, chosen by a very discerning member of the audience. Great stuff. Next up a Triple Terry Treat on 2,3 and 4 Oct. You wait a week for a Terry Collie gig and then three come along together, just like the local buses ! Can't wait.

Review of Jazz on the Plaza - Alan Barnes

Great evening

Review of Jazz on the Plaza - Alan Barnes

Great music, relaxed atmosphere, lovely venue and great Jasmine tea.

Review of Jazz on the Plaza - Alan Barnes

Great gig - Alan is a superb musician and entertainer. The venue is very friendly and the food and coffee were great!

Review of Jazz on the Plaza - Alan Barnes

Alan was on great form as usual . Alan,Terry and Jakub played great music and we all had a great time .

Review of Jazz on the Plaza - Alan Barnes

Review of Jo Fooks - Jazz on the Plaza

Great music, and atmosphere.

Review of Mornington Lockett - Jazz on the Plaza

Great music. Lovely intimate atmosphere. Organisers and cafe owners very friendly and welcoming.
Convenient location right next to Kew Gardens station.

Review of Mornington Lockett - Jazz on the Plaza

Cracking performance as always from Mornington Lockett, aided and abetted by everyone's favourite ivory tinkler, "Sir" Terry Collie and MIE "house" bassist Nick Lenner-Webster. Great choice of numbers, including kicking off with one of my favourites "Have You Met Miss Jones ?", Jobim's "Triste", Monk's "In Walked Bud" and the lovely "Skylark". It never ceases to amaze me how the musicians simply decide what to play at the time with apparently no rehearsal. Much respect.

Review of Mornington Lockett - Jazz on the Plaza

Wonderful evening at Cafe Yukari. Mornington and the band played well, it was a pleasure to listen.

Review of Jazz on the Plaza - Tommaso Starace

An excellent evening of music in a wonderful venue. A real treat!!

Review of Jazz on the Plaza - Tommaso Starace

There was a really good atmosphere and the musicians were great.

Review of Jazz on the Plaza - Alex Forsyth, Marianne Windham, Terence Coll

Really enjoyable evening. Great mellow jazz music. Lovely venue.

Review of Jazz on the Plaza - Alex Forsyth, Marianne Windham, Terence Coll

Superb evening of straight ahead jazz at the elegant Cafe Yukari. I'd never heard Alex Forsyth before, but what a wonderful warm, breathy tone he has: rather reminiscent of the great Dexter Gordon to my ears. Terrific support as ever from our own Top (Jazz) Cat, Terry C. aided by the very lyrical bass playing of Marianne Windham, Queen of the Guildford jazz scene. Great selection, too, of covers, including several of my favourites, eg. Softly As In A Morning Sunrise (is there any other kind of sunrise ?!), St Thomas, Footprints, Tenor Madness and not one, but two by AC Jobim. And many congratulations to Terry and Janet for bringing us ten years of brilliant music, may there be many more.

Review of Jazz on the Plaza - Alex Forsyth, Marianne Windham, Terence Coll

Had a really good night. The Music was great; the people were friendly, what more could you ask for?

Review of Jazz on the Plaza - Duncan Lamont Jnr

Top quality playing as you'd expect from Duncan plus TCTC (Top Cat Terry Collie) and Nick Lenner-Webster in the beautiful surroundings of the Yukari. I've given the music four stars only because the set list was a just a little bit too "safe" for my taste, built around music from the movies. Having said that, I wasn't previously aware of the theme from "The Yakuza" which turned out to be absolutely gorgeous and compelling. Well done everyone.