Jazz events in Bridport...Lyme Regis...West Dorset
Django Chutney
Sunday 17 May
Marine Theatre Lyme Regis
Django Chutney have been described as a virtuosic gypsy-jazz ‘manouche a trois’, with equal parts due respect for the genre, unruly chaotic energy and a huge dose of tongue-in-cheek humour.
The Brighton-based trio have been blowing away audiences since 2021, when a chance meeting of great minds and kindred spirits led to an instantaneous connection and a first performance that went on for over six hours (and only finished because it was closing time). They create tightly woven, three-part vocal harmonies reminiscent of 1930s and 40s American vocal groups the Mills Brothers and the Ink Spots, combined with ridiculous guitar show-offery and double bass solos that drag Pops Foster’s slap technique kicking and screaming into the 21st century.
An infectious love of performing has helped propel this trio into a non-stop run of shows around the festivals, pubs and jazz clubs of the UK, Europe and Japan!
Eddie Gripper Trio
Sunday 28 June
Marine Theatre Lyme Regis
Performing music from his second album ‘Americana’, pianist Eddie Gripper tells the story of an 8,000 km hitchhiking journey from Alaska to California, completed in under two months during the summer of 2022. The music captures the vast landscapes and unforgettable moments along the way - from sleeping in the Alaskan wilderness to cycling down Santa Monica Pier - offering a vivid, hopeful, yet unflinching reflection on American life.
Having “already garnered comparisons with the greats” (Jazzwise) after the release of his debut album ‘Home’, Eddie has rapidly established himself as a young contender on the jazz circuit. In his trio he is accompanied by Clem Saynor on double bass and Patrick Barrett-Donlon at the drums.
He has worked as a performer, promoter and producer alongside top jazz musicians such as Nigel Price, Simon Spillett, Huw Warren, Iain Ballamy, John Parricelli and Laura Jurd. As a composer, he has collaborated with vocalist Elijah Jeffery, releasing a self-titled album in 2025 of songs that explore the intersections of jazz, singer-songwriter, classical and folk traditions.
In 2024, Gripper embarked on a 29-date tour across the four nations of the UK and the Republic of Ireland, and remains active on the national and international scene, having played at venues such as Crazy Coqs, Pizza Express London, and various festivals, both under his own name and with other projects.
“Eddie Gripper is rapidly establishing a reputation for himself as one of the UK’s most exciting young jazz pianists…” Jazzwise
Julie sings the Jazz Divas
Sunday 12 July
Marine Theatre Lyme Regis
A celebration of iconic female jazz singers through the decades, with singer/pianist Julie Dunn joined by guitarist extraordinaire Charles Mason.
They will be performing hit songs such as Billie Holiday’s Lover Man, Ella Fitzgerald’s Lady is a Tramp, Sara Vaughan’s Summertime, and Peggy Lee’s Fever, together with some great Diana Krall numbers and Julie’s own upbeat tunes.
Julie Dunn has released several acclaimed jazz albums, playing alongside Johnny Dankworth’s son Alec, and she has toured the country playing in prestigious venues such as the Vortex and the 606 Club in London. She has garnered widespread praise in the press, with Chris Parker describing her as “a class act – warm, compelling…impeccable” and Muse Magazine praising her as a “soulful jazz songstress who effortlessly sings in her distinctively rich and smooth vocal style.”
Charles Mason is a much in demand jazz guitarist-his dynamic playing perfectly complements Julie’s vibrant singing style resulting in a fresh and appealing sound.
This promises to be a fabulous night of great jazz favourites, not to be missed!
Contact: philip@dorsetjazz.co.uk
Thanks to the generous help of our sponsors: