Brighton Festival begins this month with even less jazz than last year, with Phronesis on Thursday 19th May being the only jazz group in the programme. Luckily the Fringe Festival provides an opportunity to see some great local talent including Edana Minghella, Mingus Underground Octet, Terry Seabrook and Terry Pack’s Trees + The Cloggz.

    Local bassist Nigel Thomas launches his latest album, Hidden, at The Verdict in Brighton on Friday 20th May. His long awaited follow up to Yoichi, recorded back in 1996, features more of his original compositions performed by Julian Nicholas, Mark Edwards and Winston Clifford.

     All Saints Church in Hove have announced their summer lunchtime recital programme for this year which includes local artists such as Imogen Ryall (performing with Mark Edwards and Julian Nicholas), Jason Henson and Terry Pack’s Trees ensemble. Also on the programme are violinist Christian Garrick and pianist Jonathan Vinten. The programme ends with an extra-long Jazz Party on October 5th with Allison Neale joined by an all-star band of Rob Barron, Mark Crooks, Colin Oxley and bassist Jeremy Brown.

    The Love Supreme Festival this year will feature more great local bands including Eddie Myer’s Quintet, J-Felix with Abi Flynn, The Grimaldi Quartet, Harry’s Tricks, Chris Coull, Terry Pack’s Trees, Paul Richards Trio and Jack Kendon/Imogen Ryall Quintet. The Bandstand and The Arena stage will also feature artists that have appeared at The Verdict as part of New Generation Jazz: the Ezra Collective and the Jamie Leeming Project, together with July’s guests Sumo Chief.

    Sussex musicians left empty handed from the JazzFM Awards held in London in April with Lauren Kinsella being awarded best vocalist and Mark Lockheart of the band Malija awarded best instrumentalist.

     A host of Sussex’s finest jazz musicians will be appearing at Ronnie Scott’s on Sunday 5th June for a lunchtime gig with Splash Point’s Neal Richardson. The band includes Andy Panayi, Mark White, Sue Richardson, Mark Nightingale, Helen Shrrah-Davies, Andy Drudy, Nigel Thomas and Alex Eberhard. Details here.

    Watermill Jazz Club, up in Dorking, moves to a new venue, Betchworth Park Golf Club, as of this month and also changes to a Tuesday night, instead of the usual Thursdays.

    It’s business as usual at The Verdict in Brighton after a burglary on Sunday 24th April when thieves stole cash. Cafe owner John Easterby was overwhelmed by the support of local people and local businesses who rallied round to help out.