JAZZHOUSE (NOTTINGHAMSHIRE) LIMITED

ABOUT JAZZHOUSE (NOTTINGHAMSHIRE) LIMITED

For 20 years (1997-2017) the Bonington Theatre at Arnold, Nottingham has been, and remains, our core venue. It provides essential ingredients for evenings of great jazz entertainment: high-quality sound reproduction, a fabulous Steinway grand piano, clear sight-lines from theatre-style seating, effective stage lighting, friendly staff and a comfortable bar, easy access via public transport, free parking and easy ticket bookings. JazzSteps facilitates the rest: top-class musicians and a welcoming atmosphere for our appreciative audiences.

JazzSteps promotes jazz and contemporary music in the locality, including the gigs organised by Lakeside Arts and is open to joint ventures and co-promotions. For instance, we were proud supporters of the Nottingham International Jazz Piano Competition (sadly now discontinued). JazzSteps is always open to be contacted about initiatives connected with Jazz education and with offers of help.

JazzSteps is committed to jazz education in our locality in the broadest sense: supporting initiatives involving young people in education, local youth jazz bands (e.g. Nottingham Youth Jazz Orchestra & the Red Hot Band) plus adult ‘community jazz’ prformance (e.g. the Shipstone Street Jazz Orchestra & Jazz Workshop). We help mentor future jazz professionals (e.g. bass player and composer Mark Lewandowski, now studying at the Juilliard School, New York) and facilitate jazz workshops with visiting artists (e.g. PrestonGlasgowLowe and Tony Kofi) and through initiatives such as the 18-months Miles Ahead jazz education programme, collectively organised through EMJAZZ. This engaged teachers and students with jazz professionals such as Julian Joseph, Zoe Rahman, Tony Kofi, Corey Mwamba and Jan Kopinski. We have created numerous opportunities for youth and local bands to benefit from performing to audiences. Our policy of free admission for accompanied children to JazzSteps gigs at the Bonington Theatre is designed to encourage listening and learning from high-quality live jazz music.