DECEMBER 2022

Hello everyone. A few thank yous to round out the year — to the amazing bands who played in our recent London Jazz Festival gigs, and throughout the rest of this year. And to all of you, the audience, for continuing to support the best independent jazz night in the UK by buying tickets, telling friends, and sharing posts. AND, to the Assembly House, Kentish Town, for providing a perfect and perfectly-located temporary venue while our regular one is refurbished. Jazz at the Oxford is run entirely voluntarily, with ticket money going directly to the artists — please keep up your great support.

We usually do not run gigs in January. Plans for the restart will be finalised as we await more details on the date of completion for the refurbishments, at which point we expect to be back at the Oxford Tavern. As usual, keep an eye out on our social media and website.

Here are December’s bands. Come along, tell your friends and help us see out 2022 with a bang.

5 Dec — Tara Minton Quartet

https://www.wegottickets.com/event/564593

Tara Minton – harp/vocals
Ed Babar – double bass
David Ingamells – drums
Emma Rawicz – sax

Tara Minton is an Australian born harpist, vocalist and composer. She is proudly endorsed by Camac Harps and holds a master’s degree in jazz performance from The Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Sought after as both a harpist and vocalist, Tara has worked with Björk, Tom Walker, ESKA, Stan Sulzmann, Geoff Gascoyne and the Australian World Orchestra. She leads her own original project as a harpist/vocalist and sings with “The Blues and Roots Ensemble” – a London based nine-piece band and charity celebrating the music of Charles Mingus.  
  
In 2020 Tara released her critically acclaimed album ‘Please Do Not Ignore The Mermaid’ exploring themes of climate change and mer-myth. She consolidated the album’s success with an intimate duo album released in January 2022 – ‘Two For The Road’ with bassist Ed Babar. The album was produced by Geoff Gascoyne and features Stan Sulzmann on tenor saxophone. This Summer Tara made her Ronnie Scott’s headline debut, and her BBC Proms debut at the Royal Albert Hall with the Australian World Orchestra. 
  
Tara is a passionate music educator and advocate for the harp in jazz and improvised music. When not playing or teaching, Tara co-hosts ‘The Jazz Podcast’ with saxophonist Rob Cope, which was recently nominated for a Parliamentary Jazz Award.    
  
“An otherworldly collection that brings the harp centre stage” – The Sunday Times   
 
“Irresistibly seductive” – Jazzwise 
 
https://taraminton.com

12 Dec — Harrison Dolphin’s Music Band 

https://www.wegottickets.com/event/564722

The outstanding young guitarist Harrison Dolphin leads a star-studded sextet.

Zhenya Strigalev – alto sax
Miguel Gorodi – trumpet
James Wade-Sired – trombone
Harrison Dolphin – guitar
Lorenzo Morabito – bass
Adam Merrell – drums

19 Dec — Casares/Barry/Chaplin/Pitarch

https://www.wegottickets.com/event/564724

Two of London’s finest, Will Barry (piano) and Conor Chaplin (bass), present an international lineup for a very special final gig of 2022! They are joined by the saxophonist Lluc Casares and drummer Andreu Pitarch. Don’t miss it!