The Pantiles hosts various events throughout the year, and further details can be found at www.visittunbridgewells.com

For full details see the Pantiles website – www.thepantilesonline.com

Forthcoming events on the Pantiles

• 1st & 3rd Saturday of each month - Farmers Market

Jazz Programme 2009
All performances start at 7.30pm and finish no later than 10.30pm
Please note that there will not be a jazz performance on Thursday 9th July
In the event of bad weather performances will be held inside at Woods, whenever possible

4th June : The Cuban Violets
None of them are Cuban, none of them are Violet, but their sound is exotic and they swing with a vengeance. Latin bravado combines with jazz sensibilities, hot beats and eerie yet enchanting atmosphere. Classic tunes, movie themes and beyond, including takes on The Doors, Duke Ellington, Buena Vista Social Club and more. This is a fantastic and eclectic start to our season!

11th June : Protect the Beat
Fun, young and “on a mission to mix up styles and drive audiences into happy submission”. This is a completely new style of jazz which will entrance audiences of all ages with its rampant energy and exciting sound. If you’re looking for a fast forward sound, then this is your gig!

18th June : The L.C.D. Trio
This is a dynamic new band fuelled by years of experience and worldwide acclaim. The combination of Mornington Lockett on sax, Laurence Cottle on eclectric bass and the infamous Martin Drew on drums. promises musical freedom, dynamism and excitement in abundance.

25th June : The Sarah Ward Quartet
Expect warm jazz and soulful torchlight sounds, featuring many much love jazz standards from icons including Peggy Lee and Etta James as well as heartbreaking interpretations of Aretha and contemporary songbird Madelaine Peyroux. Sarah Ward, a regular of the London Jazz circuit, weaves her magic in the Pantiles.

2nd July : Derek Nash & the Sax Appeal Quartet
Vibrant and charismatic, award winning Derek Nash is the artistic force behind Sax Appeal. A member of the Jools Holland Rhythm and Blue Orchestra, he’s a regular contributor to television shows and previously performed at the Millennium Stadium and Glastonbury.

9th July : No performance
The Pantiles Players will be performing School for Scandal on the bandstand. For more details and tickets contact 01892 534341.

16th July : The Broadway Band
Long time resident group from The Ritz, The Broadway Band is a five-piece with almost universal mainstream jazz appeal. Performing A Swinging tribute to the great American songwriters and lyricists the band will perform a selection of Broadway standards from the likes of Richard Rogers and George Gershwin.

23rd July : Karen Sharp Trio
With Humphrey Littleton and Phil Collins singing her praises, Karen Sharp has become quite a force on the UK Jazz scene. An excellent jazz saxophonist, with a big, swinging sound, Karen and her trio are a new addition to The Pantiles jazz season this year.

30th July : Trudy Kerr Quartet
Once Acker Bilk’s secretary, Trudy’s come a long way – and has recently released her 8th Album “Like Minds”. Tonight she’ll be joined by a fabulous trio of Musicians: Tom Cawley from the BBC jazz awards best band, Curios; bassist Geoff Gascoyne, who’s previously toured with Jamie Callum; and Sebastian de Krom on drums.

6th August : John Etheridge Quartet
John Etheridge rightly enjoys a glowing reputation throughout the jazz world and beyond and has been described by Pat Metheny as “One of the best guitarists in the world”. He has played with John Williams, Yehudi Menuhin, Dizzi Gillespie, Herb Ellis, Mundell Lowe, Nigel Kennedy, Pat Metheny, Birelli Lagrene, Barney Kessel, Vic Juris and countless others. Enjoy John’s eclectic and uncompromising musicianship tonight.

13th August : Karen Lane & The Paul Malsom Band
Since moving to London in 2000, Australian vocalist Karen Lane has established a UK audience following appearances on Michael Parkinson. Karen and Paul have recently recorded an album of their favourite songs “Can’t Help It’. Tonight the duo will be joined by Paul’s band.

20th August : Soul Serenade
Stunning vocalist, Shireen Francis, jazz pianist Tim Richards and tenor sax Dave Blackmore have come together to create Soul Serenade. Performing the finest soulful jazz, blues and gospel from Horace Silver to Aretha Franklin, this promises to be a spine tingling performance. With plaudits aplenty, this band will definitely leave you wanting more!

27th August : Mike Hext Quintet
Mike Hext was the first ever winner of the BBC’s Young Musician of the Year competition (1978) and has since enjoyed a fantastic career as a trombonist and composer. He has worked with many of the UK’s leading jazz artists including Stan Sulzman, Tina May and Guy Barker and, through his long association, with Malcolm Edmonstone Trio (joining him on stage at The Pantiles), has fulfilled a four year residency at The Royal Opera House. Mike is also joined by tenor saxophonist Mark Lockheart.

3rd September : Over The Edge
This very popular Tunbridge Wells band was formed around 17 years ago by guitarist Peter Stone, bassist Paul Beeching and friends. The music always gets people dancing and is chosen from the best funk, soul and jazz: Stevie Wonder, Amy Winehouse, James Brown, Duffy, Jamiroquai, Randy Crawford, Grover Washington Jnr, and more. Past gigs have included Ronnie Scotts and support for Alexander O’Neal.