In a big boost for music in Southend, the City council and The Jazz Centre UK have agreed a new arrangement that will safeguard the future of the much-loved jazz mecca until the end of the 2030s. This outcome opens a new chapter for the Jazz Centre, allowing the fulfilment of its mission to preserve the history of the music and keep it alive for future generations. It could also lay the foundation for an ambitious cultural hub in Southend. An agreed lease, just concluded, ends the uncertainty faced by The Jazz Centre UK (TJCUK) since it received notice, in 2022, to quit its premises in the ba ..read more

The Jazz Centre UK has won its 11-month fight for survival now that Southend City Council has taken the final steps to rescind the order evicting it from its home in the Beecroft Art Gallery building. Official confirmation that the eviction notice has been repealed was greeted with huge relief by the Jazz Centre’s trustees, its army of volunteers and the great many music lovers that it has served for the last seven years. Founder and moving spirit behind the Centre, Digby Fairweather said, “Now that the Jazz Centre's future has been secured, we intend to focus all our efforts on making it the ..read more

Following Today's Echo news article and public comments from Southend Councillors, we are delighted to share the following statement: We are delighted that the new leader of Southend on Sea City Council has confirmed that the local election manifesto commitment to keep The Jazz Centre UK in the Beecroft Gallery will be acted on with haste. This recognises the value that the charity brings to our City. The trustees and volunteers of The Jazz Centre UK look forward to working with the Council to secure and enhance its cultural offer for the benefit of the people of Southend and beyond. We thank ..read more

We are delighted to inform that we have arranged a special discount for you at the brand-new 'The Lounge Club' by Southend Airport. Simply use the coupon code jazz50, on the checkout page you will receive 50% discount on the ticket prices for the John Martin Band on Friday 28th Arpil 2023. Book your tickets from this page: https://theloungejazzbar.co.uk/events/john-martin-band-28th-april-549/ Food (à-la-carte, or bar meals) will be available on the evening. Call (01702) 468123 aer 12 noon for bookings If you have any questions just contact: The Lounge Jazz Bar on events@thehousesos.co.uk Than ..read more

The Jazz Centre UK would like to celebrate the opening of a brand-new Jazz Club situated in Southend-on-Sea. Situated right by Southend Airport at 18-19 Aviation Way, The Jazz Lounge is South East England’s newest jazz club, bringing you the best of national and international acts in luxurious surroundings with fine drinks and dining to enjoy. On Friday 28th April The Lounge is proud to present star tenor-saxophonist JOHN MARTIN’S QUARTET. Since his debut album ‘Dawning’ (described in the jazz press as ‘one of the most fascinating and beautiful releases of 2011’) John has carried on a non-sto ..read more

,If you want to help save our Centre e-mail or write to Councillor Carole Molroney (CllrCaroleMulroney@southend.gov.uk), Scott Dolling (,ScottDolling@southend.gov.uk,) and CC our organisation (enquiries@thejazzcentreuk.co.uk) THE JAZZ CENTRE UK is facing some big, wholly unanticipated challenges in the months ahead. Most critically, it has been asked to vacate its home of the last six years in the basement of the Beecroft Gallery in Victoria Avenue. As publicly announced in early August, the Southend on Sea City Council (SCC) has served the Centre with a twelvemonths’ notice to quit the premis ..read more

On the 8th October The Jazz Centre UK presents an all-star line-up to raise funds for Softpower Education (SPE) Charity. SPE is a British registered charity and Ugandan NGO, which has been working in Uganda since 1999. Softpower are a small, grassroots organisation dependent on the generosity of thousands of supporters across the world. All funds to Softpower Education and their Uganda orphan schools project. Its mission is “To improve the quality of life through education.” Softpower's dedicated team focuses on 3 key areas: Alternative Education; we offer high-quality, free of charge, pre ..read more

Southend-on-Sea City Council (SCC) is working with The Jazz Centre UK (TJCUK) to help find a new home to accommodate the charity’s events, exhibitions and archives. This will provide additional space for the council to display collections at the Beecroft Gallery. Since 2016, the council has provided a space free of charge to TJCUK in the lower ground of the Beecroft Gallery. This has enabled the volunteer-led charity to host events, promote contemporary performance and display a history of jazz music for visitors to the gallery. However, this space is now required by SCC to house its ever-gro ..read more

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yM18Cxz1at4 Exciting news! Writtle Jazz Festival is returning in 2022! This year they will have a very similar format to 2021 with two stages on the village green. Most of the bars and food offerings from last year are returning to the festival. A Gin bar, A Prosecco Bar, Craft beer, Cocktails, A traditional Bar with much more draft ale, Artisan coffee (from Mac and Me Coffee roasters in Writtle) & cakes, Sourdough Pizza, Thai Street Food, Authentic Mexican, Hog Roast, and new this year, Sweet and Savoury crepes, as well as Italian Ice cream and sorbet ! The ..read more

We are ecstatic to share with you that The Jazz Centre UK has a plot at one of the UKs largest Jazz, Blues and Soul festivals. Our team of volunteers will be helping to spread the word about our Cultural Centre and the work we do to preserve, promote and celebrate jazz in all its forms among the expected 50,000 attendees. If you are attending the festival, stop by the 'Charity Tent' and say hello! #lovesupremefest22 #lovesupremefest Whilst we have your attention Whilst we have your attention, the latest newsletter edition of our fantastic free jazz E-Magazine 'Centrepiece' on our website. Dir ..read more