Wharf Jazz Festival 18 th May 2024

A celebration of the melting pot of Jazz, Soul and Blues styles featuring International Artists alongside locally based Musicians in an intimate riverside setting.

Kids eat free and face painting between 11am-5pm. A fun-filled day for all the family at 

Teddington's first Jazz festival. Remember to bring your dancing shoes!

11am Oli Darling Roaming Band

Oliver Darling is much in demand as a singer, songwriter and guitarist steeped in the classic Jazz , blues and country sound. He has worked with members of The Buena Vista Social Club with Rhythms Del Mundo in Milan, Tony Christie, Tanita Tikaram and Mike Sanchez. He is a member of Geraint Watkins and The Mosquitos, and is currently touring with Imelda May, as well as making solo, duo, trio and full band appearances in and around London.

Today he'll be leading The Capital Blue Jazz Roaming Band around the streets of Teddington spreading some Jazz Festival good time vibes through the neighbourhood.

1pm Tracy Ray Trio

Drawing on repertoire from Nina Simone, Ruth Brown, Ray Charles, Jimmy Smith, Herbie Hancock and other jazz / blues greats they capture the soulful, groovy and danceable side of the blues to create a great party atmosphere at any event.

Tracy Ray is a regular on the London jazz scene and The Mojos - Dave Lagnado (double bass), Mike Watts (drums), Damian Hand (saxophone / flute) and Dave Baldwin (organ) have played with many major artists including Van Morrison, Georgie Fame, Jerry Lee Lewis, James Hunter, Jerry Dammers, Chris Farlowe, Robert Plant, Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck to name a few.

3pm Andalus

Andalus  are a UK based band specialising in playing the repertoire of the Gypsy Kings and other well known Latin songs and instrumentals. Their guitars and vocals along with their own backing tracks create a full and authentic sound and atmosphere. 

The Andalus Duo promise to bring a blast of South American sunshine and fun to The Wharf to brighten up a November evening.

5pm Oriana and The Charmers

French singer and violinist Oriana will transport you from a 1920's speakeasy or a Parisian Café one minute, to the streets of Napoli the next with her energetic and versatile swing band. Inspired by jazz masters such as Django Rienhardt or Louis Armstrong, and singers like Edith Piaf and Melody Gardot, they will perform authentic American and Italian swing numbers, gypsy swing, traditional French waltzes and PMJ songs! 

7pm Matt Wates Quartet

Matt is a well Known alto saxophonist on The UK jazz scene . He is steeped in the BeBop tradition and admired for his lyrical cool style in the tradition of greats such as Paul Desmond and Art Pepper.

He has performed with Bucky Pizzarelli, John Colianni, Humphrey Lyttelton, Georges

Arvanitas, Helen Shapiro, Don Weller, Bobby Wellins, Dusko Goykovich, Duncan Lamont, Ian Shaw, Norma Winstone and Peter King.

Matt has recorded with the groups Paz, Roadside Picnic, Itchy Fingers, NYJO, the Michael Garrick Big Band, Sax Appeal and Jamie Cullum.

The Matt Wates Sextet has recorded 13 albums on the Audio-B label. Matt won the Rising Star award in the 1997 BT British Jazz Awards, and the Matt Wates Sextet won the Best Small Group award in 2001.

Leon Greening -Piano

Julian Bury – Double Bass

Matt Fishwick - Drums

9pm The Cosimo Matassa Project

The Cosimo Matassa Project are a London band working to conjure up the unique rhythm 'n' blues flavours that emerged from New Orleans in the late 1940's and early 1950's. At the core of the band are pianist and arranger Al "Dente" Dunn (Loudon Wainright / Richard Thompson) and singer/double bassist Dai Price (Dai & The Ramblers). They're often joined by top London session players with credits that include Allen Toussaint, Van Morrison and James Hunter. Over the last couple of years, the band have become a staple on the R'n'B circuit, gigging around London clubs and bars such as Nightjar in Old Street, Brasserie Zedel in Mayfair and Ronnie Scott's in Soho.

The entire project is born out of respect for the artists who passed through Cosimo Matassa's studios, a genuine love for the music and a desire to summon up the sheer joy that pervades all of Cosimo's recordings. Playing tunes by well-known artists from that era such as Fats Domino and Big Joe Turner, the band also like to unearth lesser-known gems by the likes of Smiley Lewis, Dave Bartholomew and Tami Lynn, as well as throwing in some original songs.