On Saturday 19 November, the Jazz Band took to the stage at Guildford Cathedral, enjoying our first public performance after three years of being unable to play due to the pandemic. Although the weather certainly did not live up to the Christmas cheer, the music did, with our popular rendition of ‘Christmas Potpourri’, a personal favourite of ours, kick-starting a thoroughly festive set. The vocals from Ella in both ‘Santa Baby’ and ‘Santa Claus is Coming to Town,’ sounded fantastic, especially with the acoustics in the Cathedral. The Jazz Band classics, ‘Pescados Frescos’ and ‘Cantaloupe Island’, both of which included some great solos, were much enjoyed by the audience whilst they browsed the market stalls.

We were also incredibly lucky to be joined by Mrs Joyce and Mr Rosen, some of our peripatetic music staff, supporting the band with the Baritone and Bass respectively in their first performance with the Jazz Band. We are incredibly grateful to Ms Guy for her continued dedication to running the Jazz Band and her enthusiasm which makes these trips able to happen.

This event certainly increased our anticipation for some of the Jazz Band’s upcoming events, including the Christmas Spectacular and the much awaited Jazz Tour to Paris in the summer of 2023. Although this was only our first time performing at Guildford Cathedral, we hope it is the first of many in the future for the Jazz Band.

Charlotte (Jazz Leader) and Hannah (Deputy Jazz Leader)