Riverside Arts Centre Sunbury reviews by real event-goers

Review of RAJ feat. Alex Garnett

Not much to say really. Alex G. has been a stalwart of the British jazz scene for ages and the quality of the playing was never in doubt. Great selection of standards, including Speak Low, Love For Sale, I Can't Get Started, Dearly Beloved, Topsy and Bye Bye Blackbird. Fab support as always from Mr T.C. aided by a crack rhythm section including the ever excellent Clark Tracy. A no-brainer.

Review of RAJ feat. Alex Garnett

Review of A Night of Latin Jazz

Another triumph for MIE featuring everyone's favourite ex-pat French guitarist, Clement R. A great selection of Latin numbers most of which were unknown to me, several by the Brazilian master, Baden Powell (must have been a big fan of the Scout Movement), which I am planning to check out in their original recorded form. Terry Collie on great form as usual (surely at least a local treasure already) and a real treat of a three piece rhythm section, including the brilliant Matt Hodge on percussion. Hopefully a return visit next year (?).

Review of RAJ - Renato D'Aiello

Must confess that I'd never come across Renato D'Aiello before, but what a pleasant surprise. A lovely, rich and fruity tone to his saxophone sound, so much so that my companion asked if he was playing baritone. Nice choice of standards including If I should Lose You, Body and Soul, Autumn Leaves (which tantalisingly concluded with a nod to the intro from the famous Cannonball Adderley version) and Weaver of Dreams. A very enterprising set list also included lesser known compositions by A C Jobim and Hank Mobley plus his own original I Wish. Great support as always from Mr Collie, joined by the excellent Matyeas Hofecker on bass and Alfonso Vitale on drums.

Review of Riverside Arts Jazz feat. Tim Rose

The RAC is an excellent place to catch high quality musicians in an intimate setting, and this gig was no exception. I hadn't come across Tim Rose before but it was clear from early on that he was a talented guitarist with a nice line in original compositions, which in fact comprised 40% of the set list. I've always wondered how other musicians, not necessarily familiar with the music, can cope with presumably minimal rehearsal. But of course in this case it was our own Terry Collie who seems to be able to turn his hand to anything quite effortlessly.

Great support from the rhythm section of Dan Drury (I hope that's correct) and John Humphrey, but the main attraction for me was the presence of Tim's long-time collaborator, Graeme Flowers on trumpet, surely one of the UK's finest talents on that instrument and equally impressive on flugelhorn.

Review of Riverside Arts Jazz feat. Tim Rose

Perfect blending between Gui & Tpt/Fgh

Review of RAJ - Roger Beaujolais

A vibes player fronting the monthly RAJ gig was a new experience for me and you can't get much better than veteran star of the UK scene Roger Beaujolais. As he pointed out, you can almost count the number of high profile vibes players on the fingers of one hand: Lionel Hampton and Milt Jackson for two and I'm sure he would add Bobby Hutcherson, and that's about it. And what a treat we enjoyed with a selection of relatively lesser played covers (Yesterdays, Soon, I Love You, Heartstrings), much more familiar ones (Alone Together, Triste, Night and Day, Autumn Leaves) and some excellent originals with rather witty titles (Joe Beam (geddit ?), Admission Impossible). It goes without saying that our main man, Terry Collie, provided his usual impeccable support on piano, matching Roger for impressively fast runs. We were also treated to the presence on contra-bass of Matyas Hofecker (star bass player from super-group Five Way Split) and great time keeping from first-timer (I think) at Sunbury, Alfonso Vitale, on drums. Amazingly, we learned that none of them had ever played together, which made the final result even more stunning. More please Terry and Janet !

Review of RAJ - Alex Clarke & Alan Barnes

Would love to see music in a dining setting and on boats on the river

Review of RAJ - Alex Clarke & Alan Barnes

No need to keep customers waiting at a closed door. Open earlier.
Run two queues - one for those who need to pay, one for those who already have tickets.
We all want those in wheelchairs to have access, but do have a think about where best to position them, both for them and those who have be seated behind a 3 foot wide 5 foot high chair.
Consider a "theatre style" interval drinks pre-order system.

Review of Paul Plays Porter

Very good experience

Review of Paul Plays Porter

Another fab booking by Mood Indigo. We've already had the Three Tenors and the Three Simons, this time it was the Three Pauls (plus one): Stead (guitar), Michael (bass) and Cavacuiti (drums), supported by our own piano maestro "Sir" Terrry Collie. Great selection of classics by Cole Porter, one of the most prolific and hedonistic (!) songwriters in the history of popular music. Personal favourites in the set list were Love For Sale (very controversial in its time), Night and Day, Just One Of Those Things, I've Got You under My Skin and It's Alright With Me. Two slightly disappointing omissions: Every Time We Say Goodbye and I Get A Kick Out Of You, but I guess you can't have everything. Well done everyone for a highly enjoyable evening.

Review of Paul Plays Porter

So professional. Brilliant musicians

Review of RAJ - Jo Fooks

Very enjoyable evening of accessible jazz courtesy of the likeable Jo Fooks. Not exactly at the cutting edge of improvisation, but nevertheless an excellent selection of audience-friendly classics, including When You're Smiling, I'll Be Seeing You, The Good Life, C'est Si Bon, On The Sunny Side of the Street, Broadway and The Best Things In Life, plus a couple of impressive original compositions. I particularly enjoyed a storming version of It Had Better Be Tonight from the Insp. Clouseau film A Shot In The Dark which closed the first half (must find out what versions are available on disc), and Horace Silver's The Preacher which never fails to please which ended the whole gig. Great support as always from soon-to-be solo piano star Terry Collie plus the ever-reliable Nick Lenner-Webster on bass and Jo's partner, Buster Birch, on drums and very funky percussion.

Review of RAJ - Jo Fooks

I am 93 and disabled and although there is no official car parking onsite the venue made special arrangements for my wife to park our car in a yard beside the hall.

The atmosphere in the venue was extremely friendly as were Jo Fooks and Buster Birch who took trouble to chat to us and other members if the audience informally in the interval.

My wife and I love Jo's music and it was good that she compared the show herself as she has a most delightful personality which we love.

The music played by all the musicians in the quartet was awesome. It is a terrific band.

It was not a full house. I don't know how the venue paid for the session but we are very glad they did.

Best regards, Peter and Jennifer Blackburn

Review of Alban Claret - Riverside Arts Jazz

Another triumph for MIE. I'd never come across Alban Claret until a few weeks ago, even though I believe he moved to the UK in about 2017. My first thought was why would anyone be so bonkers as to relocate to a country stupid enough to leave the EU and all the benefits that brought us, including ease of movement for musicians ! Whatever, France's loss is our gain. Amongst a very crowded field, he impressed with a beautiful, easy-looking technique which looked and sounded very classy. Great support as always from the McCoy Tyner of Hampton, Terry Collie, and crack rhythm section of the aceist of bassists, Mark Rose, and dynamic Matt Skeaping on "batterie" . Great pick, Terry and Janet.

Review of Riverside Arts Jazz - Karen Sharp

Superb venue with great acoustic, friendly staff and warm atmosphere.

Review of Riverside Arts Jazz - Karen Sharp

Great music at a charming, unique venue located lovely old village street. Nice bar, friendly staff. No probs with tickets or booking.

Review of Riverside Arts Jazz - Karen Sharp

Yet another quality gig from Mood Indigo at the RAC, featuring excellent tenorist Karen Sharp who, to my chagrin, I'd never heard before. Excellent choice of less obvious material including Ghost of a Chance, Monk's Pannonica, Lady Luck (Thad Jones), Pensattiva (Clare Fisher) plus classics such as All Of You (Cole Porter) and a stunning You Don't Know What Love Is taken at a brisk pace. Great support as always from everyone's favourite pianist, "Sir" Terence Collie plus stellar rhythm section, especially the very impressive Dominic Howles on double bass. Why haven't I heard of him before ? No doubt everyone else would say "You need to get out more" and they'd be right. Also a very encouraging audience turnout on a cold, damp evening. Fingers crossed jazz is very much alive and kicking (in all senses of the word) in SW London.

Review of RAJ feat. Stuart Henderson & Vasilis Xenopoulos

What a great way to end a largely miserable year as far as non-music things are concerned. Fab front line of Britain's favourite Greek tenorist plus Stuart Henderson on both trumpet and flugel horn. I'd never heard Stuart live before and what a treat he delivered. Anyone whose influences include the great Lee Morgan is OK by me and to include LM's "The Rumproller" (rather than the far more familiar Sidewinder) was a real bonus. VX also pitched in with classics from one of his personal heroes, Dexter Gordon, which was also just fine by me: "It's You or No-one", "Cheesecake" and "Second Balcony Jump" . Terrific support from guest rhythm section of Richard Sadler and Tristram Maillot, not to mention our own local keyboard superstar. Top Cat Terry Collie, who along with co-promoter Janet McC, served up mince pies and mulled wine as a further incentive. Unmissable.

Review of RAJ feat. Stuart Henderson & Vasilis Xenopoulos

Loved the music. Yhe musicians were excellent. Missed having coffee and tea available . The downstairs disabled toilet has no lock on the door. The music started late as we started queuing to go in when the music was meant to start.