Sunday 20th July 2025
Location: Wood Street Village Green, GU3 3EU
Guildford Jazz and Challengers are delighted to invite you to Wood Street Jazz Festival for its return in 2025! On Sunday 20th July we will be welcoming you to an unforgettable afternoon of jazz performances on the Wood Street Village Green, all in support of Challengers!
Come along and enjoy an amazing afternoon of live music, from 1:30pm to 6pm (Gates open from 12:30pm).
We will be welcoming The Wonder of Stevie, Jazz Samba and of course the ever-popular Somethin’ Else Big Band will be back, plus support acts featuring up and coming talented local jazz musicians.
The Wonder of Stevie:
Voted one of Britain’s top soul singers, mesmeric vocalist Noel McCalla, award-winning saxophonist Derek Nash (Jools Holland’s R&B Orchestra) and their world-class live band present a diverse catalogue of back-to-back Stevie Wonder hits.
The Wonder of Stevie’s outstanding band features musicians who have previously performed with a wide variety of music legends including Bill Withers, The Bee Gees, Eric Clapton, David Gilmour, Amy Winehouse, Martha Reeves, Gregory Porter and more.
Jazz Samba
Inspired by Stan Getz and Charlie Byrd’s ground-breaking 1962 album, the first ever fully fledged bossa nova album recorded by American jazz musicians, this is a joyous celebration of the blending of Brazilian rhythms, jazz attitude and the majestic compositions of Antonio Carlos Jobim, Joao Donato and Sergio Mendes!
The 5-piece band is fronted by the multi award winning guitarist, Nigel Price and ace saxophonist Mark Crooks. Nigel has performed at Ronnie Scott’s more than 500 times (as well as touring relentlessly around the UK) and has been winner at the British Jazz Awards and Parliamentary Jazz Awards, among others. Mark has performed all over the UK, Europe and America (including performances at the renowned Lincoln Centre) and has regularly been featured at the BBC Proms. The band also features the outstanding Spanish drummer/percussionist, Demi Garcia Sabat who woos and wows the audiences with his masterly blend of flamenco, latin, arabic and jazz sensibilities. Completing the quintet are the pianist John Cervantes and the ever-popular double bassist and founder of Guildford Jazz, Marianne Windham.
Somethin’ Else Big Band
The ever-popular local big band closes the Festival this year with a great set of high energy Big Band Music. Led by MD Chris Green, the band features Dave Evetts (Drums), Marianna Windham (Bass), Ed Kinsella (Piano), David Ward (Guitar), Sue Coulson, Sue Williams, Claire Cousins, Steph Hinson, Emil Stewart and Martin Hinson (Saxes), Andrew Butcher, Paul Sykes, Roland Knight and Steve Powell (Trombones), Nigel Winter, Matt Nash, Rob Cousins and Graham Varley (Trumpets).
Food and Refreshments
Thanks to the generosity of the Shahin Restaurant, you can pre-order a curry platter again this year with a choice of a chicken or vegetable curry, complete with onion bhaji, pilau rice and naan bread. Please do place your curry orders in advance as due to high demand, we cannot guarantee there will be additional on the day!
Every penny raised from the day goes directly to Challengers, helping us continue to break down the barriers to play for local disabled children and their families. Thank you very much for your continued support, we look forward to you joining us for an afternoon of Jazz on the green.
If you would like to generously sponsor our Jazz Festival, please contact Emily (emilytomkins@disability-challengers.org).
Everyone is welcome at our events, please do contact us at fundraising@disability-challengers.org to discuss your specific accessibility needs – we will be very happy to help.