Welcome to COLJAZZ...

COLJAZZ promotes live jazz in Medway, Kent featuring leading artists from the UK and abroad. Last year, for example, among the artists featured were Alan Barnes, Pete Long, Gilad Atzmon and Greg Abate.
The main events take place at the RAFA Club in Chatham.
Jazz Duos and Trios are featured at the Good Intent in Rochester.

The RAFA Club Building No. 4, Dock Road, Chatham, Kent ME4 4TX
Next door to Chatham Library, opposite the Command House
Telephone 01634 845523. For a map go here

 

The Good Intent John Street, Rochester, Kent, ME1 1YL
Tel: 01634 843118. For a map go here

ABOUT US

Shirley S
I first got into jazz at the age of 14. It all started at the Paget Dance Hall in Gillingham, because the owners,, Joyce and Reg Kearn, were friends of my parents. They said to them that I should go there because of my love for music and jiving. Dad used to come along and take me and my friends home. They introduced me to lots of musicians, some of whom I am still in contact with. What wonderful bands - I could make a never-ending list of those bands. A lot of them are no longer around but lots of the musicians are still playing.

Next, I progressed to the "Pav" in Canterbury Street, Gillingham, whrere there were big bands playing. Admission was 2/6d. A lot of jazzers will remember those venues. The Star at Maidstone was another one and there was a good jazz club at the Wig and Gown. What about the Piggeries, Eleven Steps and the Little Theatre in Chatham. All had superb bands. What a selection we had! I also used to go to Ronnie Scott's, Florida, Flamingo and Lyceum in London some weekends after I first started work. I used to tell my parents I was staying with friends, who used to cover for me, as some of the girls came along. It was wonderful coming back on the milk train and no one the wiser.

Then came marriage. My husband used to run the jazz coaches to Ramsgate - to the Coronation Ballroom on Saturday nights if one of our favourite bands was playing - 7/6 a head. I know some people around still remember them - lovely atmosphere and no trouble.

In 2001, Colin and I met at the jazz sessions at the Ship, in Rochester, run by John "E" Jazz Emmitt ( I had been going to John's venues for at least the last 30 odd years). I used to give Colin a lift home and both of us discovered that we wanted to put on a jazz venue. That was the start of Coljazz and the sessions firstly at the Tap'n'Tin and now the RAFA Club in Chatham , which we have now promoted since 2001. We didn't realise that so much has to be put into it, but we love it. The Good Intent pub in Rochester is another of our venues where we put on duos and trios once a month. This has the added bonus of real ale.

Music brings lots of friends together, old and new, which is priceless. I look around and it delights me to see heads nodding and feet tapping to the music, then it gives me a feeling of fulfilment that we have made the audience happy. As people probably know, Colin and I nod and tap as soon as the gig starts. My husband calls us the two Noddies, but that's when the ants in the pants kick in.

 

Colin E
Our first jazz promotion was at the Ship in Rochester and featured Gilad Atzmon and Renato D'Aiello. It was a great success with all the proceeds going to the Breast Cancer Appeal Fund. We were hooked.
I firsty got interested in jazz after hearing a track from the Miles Davis album Bitches Brew. This just blew me away. Before that I was into hard-rock - Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath. I still like them but jazz and classical are now my first loves.
Our policy at the RAFA Club is to book musicians that we have heard live. and liked. and in many cases have not played often in the Medway Towns. Over the years many of these musicians have become our personal friends.
Some memorable nights over the past few years have inclued Alan Barnes/Greg Abate, Alan Barnes/Guy Barker, Derek Nash/Snake Davis and Martin Speake playing Charlie Parker. But the most memorabale of all was the Tsunami Appeal gig where the Tap'n'Tin played host to over 40 world class musicians. I predict that there will be many more memorable nights to come.
Our main aim is to please the public, and of course ourselves. We would also like to put on more players new to the Medway Towns. I would like the jazz public to be more open minded. Give unknown names a try - you might just like them.