Farewell Fringe Jazz?*

That’s Fringe Jazz at Bristol Music Club in Clifton, in its current incarnation… And yes, it may be farewell. Jon Taylor, who runs the gig, has let it be known he is not carrying on after Christmas. (Understandably – Tony Benjamin in Bristol 247 reckons he’s been putting on gigs, on and off, for almost 50 years).

We know he’s scouted for someone (or more than one?) to carry on the programme. That ought to be a no brainer. It’s a good room, that can seat around 80 people, with not one, but two decent pianos (see this week’s Pianissimo gig on Friday). Plenty of out of town visitors we might not hear otherwise appreciate playing there. But as far as I know, no-one has stepped up yet.

Which would be a real shame. Gigs do come and go, I suppose, but there have certainly been some remarkable nights over the last dozen years or so in the various venues Jon has found to use – the Bristol Fringe Bar in Clifton, initially, then the Mall Pub round the corner, back to the Fringe, and finally the little-known Bristol Music Club since the pandemic.

Past nights often featured Andy Sheppard when he lived in the neighbourhood, but thanks to Jon I’ve also seen, say, Paul Dunmall with Hamid Drake (!), Jeff Williams with Mike Outram and Martin Speake, Mark Lewandowski’s Fats Waller project, Iain Ballamy and Huw Warren many times, separately and together, an annual visit in recent years from Art Themen, and any number of gigs with Tony Orrell and/or Riaan Vosloo.

Tony Orrell at work

Speaking of which, there are just three gigs left, and the last one will be a fitting finale with Tony Orrell’s Big Top (musical director Riaan Vosloo) expanded to a big band, with an all star Bristol personnel. Whatever happens in 2026,It should be a rocking finale. Let’s all go and cheer them on, and raise a toast to Mr Taylor while we’re at it.

Oh, and if someone does want to make sure this excellent gig carries on, I guess there’s still time… just?

*see update in next post: the gig continues!