Festive jazz cafe goes online for Festival of Chichester

The Festive Jazz Café, the Festival of Chichester’s special seasonal treat of words and music which is usually held in historic St John’s Chapel, is going online this year because of the current restrictions on live events.
Gareth WilliamsGareth Williams
Gareth Williams

The show is in aid of next year’s Festival of Chichester, and a scintillating cast of performers will take the virtual stage with a package of seasonal delights.

The exact form of the 2021 Festival of Chichester remains to be seen, depending on prevailing Covid restrictions. But the organisers are determined to make something happen – and the Festive Jazz Café is a crucial first step.

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Headlining the night are the Dream Duo and the Greek-influenced Rebetiki Serenata with Pavlos Carvalho. The readings will be performed by film, TV and stage actor Gareth Williams with his wife, the actress Paula Tinker. The guest poet is Raine Geoghegan who will recite a selection of her Romany verses.

Gareth shot to fame with the Flying Pickets’ chart-topping million-seller Only You. Since then Gareth has starred with the English Shakespeare Company, taken the role of Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls in the West End, on screen in Mike Leigh’s recent film of Peterloo and last winter on stage as Ebenezer Scrooge.

He will be reprising his Scrooge role at the Festive Jazz Café with his wife Paula as they dramatise the Dickens classic. Chichester audiences will remember Paula from her many Chichester Festival Theatre roles which include The Mitford Girls, Valmouth and Underneath the Arches.

Julian Marc Stringle on clarinet and vocals with Dominic Ashworth on guitar make up the Dream Duo. They appeared to great acclaim at the sell-out 2019 Poetry and Jazz Café at Edes House.

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Julian Stringle has appeared with many of the jazz greats, including Acker Bilk, Kenny Ball, Cleo Lane and John Dankworth.

Alongside Julian is Canadian guitarist Dominic Ashworth. Both performers have featured in the British Jazz Awards. One of the highlights of the festival show is their rendition of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue.

Jazzy Greek sounds are provided by Rebetiki Serenata who will take the audience on a musical journey from London to Athens via Paris. Pavlos Carvalho pops his classical music hat on to join festival regulars Ensemble Reza with a rendition of Duke Ellington’s It Don’t Mean a Thing if it Ain’t Got that Swing.

Romani poet Raine Geoghegan has been nominated for the Pushcart and Forward Prizes.

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Her verses of gypsy life published in Apple Water: Povel Panni and They Lit Fires give insights into a vanishing way of life.

Festival co-ordinator Barry Smith said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have the support of these fantastic performers who all have Chichester connections and have appeared in our Festival. Audiences can be sure of having a great time and getting the Christmas season underway in swinging style as well as helping support next year’s Festival.

“All proceeds will go towards the 2021 Festival so it’s an opportunity for people to enjoy themselves knowing they are also supporting further treats next summer.”

To enjoy the Festive Jazz Café go online to the Festival of Chichester’s website.

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The premiere will take place on YouTube at 7.30pm on Friday, December 11.

The link to view the show will be available via the Festival website and social media pages. The show will also remain on the YouTube page and website throughout December to bring some festive cheer.

Whilst watching the free show, it will be possible to make a donation to the Festival of Chichester to help support the 2021 Festival. http://www.festivalofchichester.co.uk

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