Picnic Jazz at the Pavilion

In 2003 a small committee was formed to organise a one off fundraising Black Tie Jazz Dinner to help raise funds for restoration work on St. Bartholomew’s Church in Orford, Suffolk. A marquee was ordered, menus fixed, 250 tickets sold and a little known singer/pianist booked to entertain. Unfortunately, shortly before the event was due to take place, the little known entertainer hit the big time and had to pull out of his commitment in Orford. The event went ahead with the captivating Victoria Newton proving to be a worthy replacement with her Latin American influenced performance encouraging the diners to work off the calories after dinner.

To make up for the cancellation the original singer/pianist offered another date and agreed to perform at a Picnic Jazz event later in the year in the gardens of a large house on the river in Orford. As a result, Jamie Cullum was responsible for launching an event that has been repeated every year since then raising funds for local worthy causes.

With a capacity limited to around 300, Jazz at The Pavilion became a popular, intimate event on the Suffolk social calendar as well as attracting jazz lovers from further afield. Headline acts have included: Jacqui Dankworth, Gwyneth Herbert (twice), Sarah Moule, Joanna Eden, Lianne Carroll, Clive Carroll, Toby Allen and Tina May with Tony Coe, John Etheridge, Winston Clifford, Mark Hodgson,The Melissa James Trio, The Anthony Strong Trio, Emma Divine and Natasha Hodge with Jazz Bazaar.

The supremely talented Robin Phillips appeared in 2015. Check him out here.

To get a feel for this event just watch this short clip from 2012 with Melissa James singing

This event has not been held for two years but for information contact Jacki Maslin 01394 450799 or jackimaslin@btinternet.com

Past Performers

Black Tie

2003 Victoria Newton

Picnic Jazz

2003 Jamie Cullum	2004 Jacqui Dankworth	2005 Gwyneth Herbert	2006 Sarah Moule
2007  Joanna Eden	2008 Lianne Carroll	2009  Clive Carroll	2009  Toby Allen
2010 Gwyneth Herbert	2011  Tina May	2012 Melissa James	2012 Anthony Strong
2013 Georgia Mancio	2013 Polly Gibbons	2014 Emma Divine	2014 Natasha Hodge