A new monthly jazz club opened its doors in September 2009 in the shadow the famous castle. Located at the Victoria Club, Tarrant Street, Arundel Jazz Club is the first regular jazz club evening in the town since the 1970's. The club is being set up by local double bassist, Steve
Thompson who describes his reasons for starting the club:
"Having appeared during the Arundel festival a few times doing jazz events - and seeing the positive reaction of audiences - it struck me as crazy that there was no regular club that could present national and international jazz musicians."
Steve knows a thing or too about jazz clubs, having appeared in London at venues such as Pizza on the Park and Ronnie Scott's -
"I wanted to bring down to West Sussex some the wealth of talent I've had the privilege to play with in London, people like Jim Mullen, Allison Neale...people that audiences would only be able to catch by going up to London or Brighton..."
The club, sponsored by Arundel estate agents Hamlyn Sparks, has a regular trio to accompany the guest musicians. "Two of the best musicians around, anywhere, no question - Terry Seabrook on piano and Alex Eberhard on drums".
The Victoria Club is the perfect venue for a jazz club. As Steve comments, “the sound in the Red Room is great and allows us to play quietly and not have to bash away at it”. The ambiance of the place also lends a lot to the music. “It’s definitely got a touch of the 50’s Parisian Left Bank about it, especially with the candles lit”.
Mood and atmosphere is high up on the list when it comes to Arundel Jazz Club.
“This is a great spot for people who love jazz to come but I realise maybe not everyone loves jazz. With this club, the way it’s set up – the look and style of the place – it should encourage people new to jazz or people who didn’t know much about it before to come along. Put it this way; most people like to see music well played. Most people like to sit and have a drink with their friends in a relaxing, friendly place where something magical might happen in front of them”.
If that sounds like you get on down to Arundel Jazz Club.
Website: www.myspace.com/arundeljazzclub