Welcome to the 2025 Wood Street Festival!

THE WONDER OF STEVIE

Voted one of Britain’s top soul singers, mesmeric vocalist Noel McCalla, award-winning saxophonist Derek Nash (Jools Holland’s R&B Orchestra) and their world-class live band present a diverse catalogue of back-to-back Stevie Wonder hits including Superstition, Signed, Sealed, Delivered, Isn’t She Lovely, I Wish, Sir Duke, Master Blaster and many more.

The Wonder of Stevie’s outstanding band features musicians who have previously performed with a wide variety of music legends including Bill Withers, The Bee Gees, Eric Clapton, David Gilmour, Amy Winehouse, Martha Reeves, Jamiroquai, Booker T. Jones, Sam Moore, Jethro Tull, Eddie Floyd, Gregory Porter, Gary Moore and Alfie Boe. 

‘I marvel at this dazzling homage to one of the great masters of 20th & 21st century music’ - Jools Holland

 ‘Breathtaking’ - Sunday Times

JAZZ SAMBA

Fronted by John Wilson's star reedsman MARK CROOKS on (sax/clarinet) and the award-winning NIGEL PRICE (guitar), this is a joyous celebration of the blending of Brazilian rhythms, jazz attitude and the majestic compositions of Antonio Carlos Jobim, Joao Donato and Sergio Mendes!

“Their love of music and samba oozed from every note played and the final encore & applause reflected the joy given out by them to a very grateful audience” – Ronnie Scott’s

Plus a set from the SOMETHIN’ ELSE BIG BAND, music from Emerging Artists Stage. a superb Indian meal , a licenced bar and free parking. Tell your friends, book your tickets, and we’ll see you there!

• EVENT INFO
• TICKETS
• WHO'S PLAYING?
• DIRECTIONS
• SEATING

EVENT INFO

We're looking forward to an amazing afternoon of live music on Wood Street Village Green, from 1.30pm to 6pm

Gates open 12:45 , Indian meals served 1pm

Depending on the weather, please bring sunblock, hats, plenty to drink, or brollies! There are also a few spaces available if you want to bring your own gazebo (please contact Challengers to confirm).

There's plenty of on-site parking, disabled toilets and a bar. Feel free to bring a picnic if not ordering an Indian meal, or buy fish and chips from the van on site, and please bring picnic chairs/rugs. There are details at the bottom of the page on how to find us.

Every penny raised at this event supports disabled young people to access play and leisure at Challengers. Thank you very much for your continued support, we look forward to you joining us for an afternoon of Jazz on the green.

Well behaved dogs are welcome on a lead.

Our Sponsors

If you would like to sponsor the Festival, please contact us by emailing info@guildfordjaz.org.uk

TICKETS

Adults £25, Guildford Jazz Member £22.50, students £10, under 13 free

Save 10% with a group ticket of 4 people £90 (£80 for Guildford Jazz Members)

Don’t forget to book a slot if you want to bring a gazebo or camper van

There will also be the chance to pre-order food again with a choice of chicken tikka masala or vegetable tikka masala both with sag bhaji, onion bhaji, pilau rice, naan bread & pickles.   Meals are £13 each and we are very grateful for The Shahin Restaurant for donating all of the curries to the event.

WHO'S PLAYING?

the wonder of stevie

Noel McCalla’s long association with the brilliant Morrisey Mullen Band earned him acclaim as “one of Britain’s best Soul Singers” (Blues and Soul Magazine) and, for more than 19 years, Noel's searing, soulful vocals were featured with the iconic Manfred Mann's "Earth Band". He also provided vocals on Mike Rutherford's highly acclaimed album, Smallcreep's Day, and is often featured with jazz funk band, Mezzoforte.

Derek Nash has played with Jools Holland’s Rhythm and Blues Orchestra since 2004 and is also a member of the Ronnie Scotts Blues Explosion. He has won several British Jazz Awards throughout his career fronting Sax Appeal, his Acoustic Quartet and the funk band, Protect the Beat. Derek has performed live, on record and on television with Gregory Porter, Chaka Khan, David Sanborn, Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce, Amy Winehouse and many, many more. At the forefront of the British jazz movement, Derek Nash is "one of the most versatile saxophonists in the UK today" (The Guardian)

The all-star band features Neil Angilley – piano, Tim Cansfield – guitar, Jonathan Noyce – bass, Nic France – drums. Musicians whose credits include Bill Withers, The Bee Gees, Gary Moore, Michael Ball and Alfie Boe

jazz samba

Following Jazz Samba’s recent appearance at Ronnie Scott’s, the club, in their review of the gig stated: “their love of jazz and samba oozed from every note played, and the final encore & applause reflected the joy given out by them to a very grateful audience”

That pretty much sums up what you can expect from this great band! What’s not to like, if they are drawing their repertoire from Carlos Antonio Jobim, Joao Donato and Sergio Mendes – whilst reviving the beauty of Stan Getz’s whole latin thing?!

This 5-piece band is fronted by the multi award winning guitarist, Nigel Price and ace saxophonist Mark Crooks. Nigel has performed at Ronnie Scott’s more than 500 times (as well as touring relentlessly around the UK) and has been winner at the British Jazz Awards and the Parliamentary jazz Awards, among others. Mark has performed all over the UK, Europe and America (including performances at the renowned Lincoln Centre) and has regularly been featured at the BBC Proms.

The band also features the outstanding Spanish drummer/percussionist, Demi Garcia Sabat who woos and wows the audiences with his masterly blend of flamenco, latin, arabic and jazz sensibilities.  Completing the quintet are the pianist John Cervantes (his name will be known to any attendees of the major jazz festivals!) and the ever-popular double bassist and founder of Guildford Jazz, Marianne Windham.

SOMETHIN’ ELSE BIG BAND

The ever popular local big band close the Festival this year with a great set of high energy Big Band Music. Led by MD Chris Green the band features Dave Evetts (Drums), Marianne Windham (Bass), Ed Kinsella (Piano), David Ward (Guitar), Sue Coulson, Sue Williams, Claire Cousins, Steph Hinson, Emil Stewart and Martin Hinson (Saxes), Andrew Butcher, Paul Sykes, Roland Knight and Steve Powell (Trombones), Nigel Winter, Matt Nash, Rob Cousins and Graham Varley (Trumpets).

& OVER on the Emerging Artist Stage…

DIRECTIONS

The address is Wood Street Village Green, GU3 3EU

There'll be marshalls on site to direct you to the parking area at the far end of the Green.

Gates open from 12pm

SEATING

Please bring your own picnic chairs/rugs.

Some seats will also be provided inside the marquee.