Swingin' Around The Christmas Tree with the Ben Martin Quartet

Please note: Due to unforeseen circumstances, Ben Martin will now be replaced by Eliot Richards on saxophone

Jazz and the Golden Age of Hollywood are synonymous with rousing film scores and memorable hits from some of the greatest movies ever made. Alongside these terrific tunes are a wealth of Christmas songs written by Tin Pan Alley’s greatest songwriters. White Christmas and I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm by Irving Berlin, Let It Snow by Jule Styne, Santa Claus Is Coming To Town by John Frederick Coots & Haven Gillespie and The Christmas Song by Mel Tormé. These gems have been performed by the cream of jazz royalty including Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Wynton Marsalis, Shirley Horn and Nat King Cole. In fact it’s easier to find a list of artists who haven’t cashed in on the festive season.

With their Great American Songbook forms and standard chord sequences they’re the ideal vehicle for jazz musicians to unleash their improvisational skills on and for the great tinsel town arrangers to arrange and rearrange to their heart’s delight. And the musicians don’t stop there.

Christmas carols are mercilessly ripped apart and put back together again in the name of Swing! The Ben Martin Quartet have been playing together for over a decade in many different guises. Their credits include: Sir Paul McCartney, Lady Gaga, Matt Goss, Tony Kofi, Dick Pearce, Jim Mullen, Andy Sheppard, Kenny Wheeler and many more.

Eliot Richards – saxes / mulled wine
Andrew Wood – drums / mince pies
Matthew  Ratcliffe – piano / stollen
Martyn Spencer – double bass / small sherry and a carrot

"Infectious intense fun, a thrilling evening of quality jazz"

Take a look at our other 'Jazz In The Cellar Bar' performances:

Trio Con Alma

Jeanie Barton Band

Alan Barnes Plays Charlie Parker