Hi everybody,
We had a great time at Jazz Cafe Posk performing our Tony Bennett Tribute: “The Best is Yet to Come.” See clips here and here. And if you’re interested in how my arrangement of Fascinating Rhythm turned out you can see a clip of it here
This month I have two gigs in the EFG London Jazz Festival: on Friday 13th November I’ll be at the Riverhouse Barn, Walton with Way out West “A Short History of Jazz” @ Riverhouse Barn, Walton.
Way Out West invites you to take an unforgettable musical journey back in time through the history of jazz. Travel through more than a century of jazz innovation, from the sounds of today back to its roots, discovering the rich diversity of styles and grooves that have shaped the genre.Featuring Way Out West’s imaginative arrangements and performances, the programme showcases a selection of landmark works by some of jazz’s most influential artists, spanning mainstream, bebop, cool, modal, free, fusion, contemporary and New Orleans traditions.
Line up:
Nette Robinson – vocals/sax
Tony Woods/Pete Hurt – saxes
Nick Mills – trombone
Meredith White – piano
Larry Bartley – bass
Gary Willcox – drums
And on Thursday 19th November I’ll be with the Dave Jones Nonet @ Bull’s Head Barnes
I’m very pleased to announce that my band, the Tony Woods Project will be playing @ St. James C of E Church, Hampton Hill on 27th November and at Jazz 825, Palace Hotel, Southend on the 16th December. The Project is my main outlet for my compositions and features an all star band of Mike Outram on guitar, Rob Millett on vibes, AndyHamill on bass and Milo Fell on drums.
“Emotional and warmly personal music”
★★★★ (the Guardian)
“Colourful, evocative music from one of the most distinctive groups on the UK Jazz scene”
★★★★ (The Jazzmann)
And Nette and I will be bring our Soiree Style performance to Dorich House, Kingston with a mix of English and Russian songs on Friday 4th December:
Friday 4th: Stars, Snow and Firelight Nette and Tony @ Dorich House, Kingston.
For those of you interested in playing jazz don’t forget to scroll down and check out my Chippings from the Woods Shed at the bottom of the Newsletter.
If you enjoy my music please do like and subscribe to my Youtube Channel. It is absolutely free to subscribe – just click on the Subscribe Button…
“Always beautiful and uplifting…”
“Paul Desmond ideas…”
“Captivating and steamy! That vibe should come with a 15 certificate at least”
“Haven’t heard anyone swing like that for years – best thing,real,swing”
“Had the good fortune to be present. A virtuoso performance. Bravo”
“Great playing…”
“Light and lovely…”
“Very cool”
“Great music”
” Great solo, a lesson in how to start sparse and build intensity”
“The word ravishing comes to mind!”
“So soft and gentle one wants to dream…. Such a pleasure to listen to Tony”
“Music full of warmth and joy”
“Soo cool”
“A wonderful and uplifting gig”
“Beautiful”
“Just been sent into another world again – Beautiful world….”
“Brilliant musicians and brilliant music!”
“Oh my goodness, another wonderful ‘ Project’, so exciting the build up, then the gentle ending, the flame gone out! Fantastic”
“I was lucky enough to be at this gig and see Tony and the band… wow amazing performance from all. Truly magical !!!”
“Yet another excellent gig. Great music and musicians”
“Absolutely brilliant!”
“Tone! Killer performance.”
“Wow!! Just fabulous…”
“Superb”
“What an amazing solo”
“Fantastic sound!”
“Awesome”
“What a way to start the day – had me dancing round my third storey”
“Story telling and space is the way to go . Lovely stuff “
“Can’t stop listening, spellbinding”
Upcoming Gigs:
November:
Friday 13th November: Way Out West presents a Short History of Jazz at Riverhouse Barn, Walton for the EFG London Jazz Festival
Thursday 19th November: Dave Jones Nonet @ Bulls Head, Barnes for EFG London Jazz Festival
Sunday 22nd November: with Nette Robinson and Meredith White @ the Login Lounge, Camberley
Friday 27th November: Tony Woods Project @ St James C of E Church, Hampton Hill
Sunday 29th November: Kenny Wheeler Tribute @ Login Lounge, Camberley
December:
Friday 4th: Stars, Snow and Firelight Nette and Tony @ Dorich House, Kingston.
Friday 11th: Way Out West Presents Jazz on a Winter’s Eve @ Jazz Cafe Posk
Wednesday 16th:Tony Woods Project @ Jazz 825, Palace Hotel, Southend
Other News:
Way Out West gigs continue at Jazz Cafe Posk (the Polish Cultural Centre, Hammersmith):
Friday 11th: Way Out West Presents Jazz on a Winter’s Eve @ Jazz Cafe Posk
The Way Out West gigs continue in 2026 at Drayton Court Hotel, West Ealing, usually the third Wednesday in the month:
Wednesday 18th November: Standard Time featuring Nick Mills and Pete Hurt
The Woods ShedI run a Jazz Workshop and Jam session at the Village Centre, Englefield Green on Monday nights. New members always welcome…
More info here.
Chippings From The Woods Shed:
It’s good to build your solo from the tune you are playing. That way every solo is different and becomes a development of the melody. Sometimes the last phrase of the tune kicks off the beginning of my solo. Sometimes I take motifs or shapes from the tune and work with those for a bit. You can always come back to them or indeed the tune itself later in the solo. In the Stranger in Paradise I use a lot of 4th and 5th motifs which come from the melody.
