Fleece Jazz

Jazz at the Movies is a unique jazz group who put an irresistible spin on classic movie themes and soundtrack songs from silver screen sources, both familiar and obscure. With music from many films including The Pink Panther, Gilda, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Aristocrats and The Fabulous Baker Boys, and songs by Burt Bacharach, John Barry, Leslie Bricusse, Stephen Sondheim, John Dankworth, and many others.

Presented by musical director and pianist Chris Ingham, Jazz at the Movies features evocative vocals by acclaimed singer Joanna Eden, bewitching saxophone and clarinet from Mark Crooks and a world-class rhythm section in Joe Pettitt and George Double.

Chris Ingham is a widely acclaimed pianist and singer, composer, producer and author.  He formed his Jazz Quartet in 2013 and has led over 150 performances of his Hoagy Carmichael, Dudley Moore and Stan Getz repertoire projects all over the UK.

Joanna Eden is a singer songwriter who grew up in the heart of England listening to UK artists playing American blues, jazz and pop.  Mojo magazine describes her songwriting as having ‘melody, mystery and bite’. With six solo albums to her credit, she is considered one of the finest singer pianists in the UK, with a style that covers a broad spectrum.

Mark Crooks works in a wide variety of musical settings including jazz, big band and classical. He has performed with artists ranging from Tony Bennett to Sir Simon Rattle, Lady Gaga to Dame Cleo Laine at venues from Ronnie Scott’s in London to the Lincoln Center in New York.

Joe Pettitt is not only a bassist but a musical director and educator from London.  He is the bandleader of the Len Phillips Big Band, a south London based 17-piece band whose members have worked with Ella Fitzgerald, The Beatles, Bing Crosby, Freddie Mercury, Noel Gallagher and Robbie Williams, to name a few. George Double is active on the British jazz scene and appears regularly at Ronnie Scott’s club in London and elsewhere as a freelancer with Chris Ingham, John Etheridge, Art Themen, Digby Fairweather, Derek Nash and many others.

“Eden’s honeyed vocals…great diction and innate jazz timing, ringing out clear as a bell” - Marlbank

“One of the finest combos in the country and a seriously talented vocalist, a great evening that satisfied both jazz and movie buffs. Quite a trick.” – Jazz Journal 

• Joanna Eden - Vocals
• Mark Crooks - Saxophone
• Chris Ingham - Piano
• Joe Pettitt - Bass
• George Double - Drums

Fleece Jazz is an independent, non-profit association run by a voluntary committee who have been providing modern and contemporary jazz for 28 years. They book talented musicians and jazz bands from the UK and beyond to perform at Stoke by Nayland Resort, providing the perfect backdrop for these cherished and popular events.

Fleece Jazz events are generally held on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month.