Led by saxophonist Rob Mach, Jazz Jam welcomes musicians, vocalists, dancers, and music lovers who like to spend an afternoon listening to or creating great music, supported by DJ Mr Jazzy Vibes.

Doors 1pm / Music 2pm

Drink & Draw is a space to share ideas, create art, and enjoy a drink or two! There are no rules, no boundaries, just a full blown explosion of creative energy.

Hosted by local illustrator, comic book artist and Bear manager, Karl Brown, with a warm and welcoming atmosphere guaranteed.

Doors 7.30pm

Steve Warner is a Hertfordshire-based singer-songwriter touring and promoting his new live EP Frail. All these songs were written on and performed on the Tenor guitar (four steel string guitar... not a uke), and every song has a story. Join Steve for an intimate evening of storytelling and songwriting.

Steve’s music has been played across various BBC radio stations and a host of internet-based international stations, and he was shortlisted for the Folks and Roots International Songwriting Contest two years in a row.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

Internationally acclaimed saxophonist Sam Braysher’s new project explores the work of Kurt Weill, a fascinating composer who lies at the intersection of European classical music, jazz, opera, and American musical theatre.

The London-based jazz saxophonist, a regular performer at jazz clubs across Europe, is known for his warm, delicate sound and deep knowledge of the standard repertoire and the American Songbook.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

Ma Polaine’s Great Decline is an award-winning band praised by Mojo Magazine for their unique blend of pop, folk, blues, and Americana. Ma Polaine’s music resonates as both comfortably familiar and refreshingly innovative, creating a truly engaging experience.

With airplay on BBC 6 and BBC Radio 2, and the support of Cerys Matthews, the band's genre-defying charm unfolds through songs that explore the intricacies of human connections, weaving tales of light and dark with uplifting melodies and heartfelt storytelling.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

We are thrilled to welcome internationally renowned solo artist Sarah McQuaid to The Bear for the first time.

An accomplished singer-songwriter, Sarah McQuaid's lush, chocolatey voice combines with her engaging personality and brilliant musicianship on acoustic and electric guitars, piano, and occasionally drums, creating a truly immersive experience.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

An overdue but welcome return to The Bear Club for Greg Coulson and his band.

Greg is an English soul, blues, and jazz singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He is also a session musician and producer, having played for artists and bands such as Burt Bacharach, Spiritualized, Morcheeba, The Blockheads, The Selecter, Dani Wilde, King Pleasure, Lilly Moore, Tom Grennan, Sway, and Big Daddy Wilson.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

Back at The Bear by popular demand, award-winning, multi-horn-playing, and internationally recognised saxophonist Tony Kofi teams up with The Organisation, featuring Liam Dunachie on Hammond organ, Pete Cater on drums, and Simon Fernsby on guitar.

The band performs a hard-hitting selection of tunes in blues, jazz, and funk idioms, including tracks from their highly acclaimed 2018 album Point Blank.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

Originally from Saskatchewan and now based on the east coast of Canada, The Deep Dark Woods' Ryan Boldt takes up a deep tradition of forlorn storytelling, drawing lines from Celtic folksongs to country blues, John Fahey to Shirley Collins. Lush and devastating, Boldt’s gothic surrealism is stark in detail and full of emotion, a murder balladeer for our time.

With a voice somewhere between Bill Callahan and Bonny Prince Billy, this will be a stripped-back solo set of deep (and, indeed, dark) intensity.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

Firm favourites on the blues and jump-jive scenes, The Cadillac Kings features five of the UK's top blues and roots musicians.

Their latest album, Crash and Burn, shot straight to #2 in the UK IBBA blues chart and #5 in the Australian Blues & Roots chart, and it has been selected as the album of the week at over twenty radio stations on both sides of the Atlantic.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

Playing at The Bear for the first time under his own name, TJ Johnson transcends the genres of jazz, blues, and country.

TJ is widely considered one of the UK’s most charismatic and highly revered jazz and blues singers. He is also a talented pianist and respected bandleader, having won the award for Best Blues Singer at the 2018 Boisdale Music Awards.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

Dan Willson is Scotland's acclaimed singer-songwriter, known as Withered Hand. Over the last 15 years, he has released three albums and several EPs, touring internationally and amassing a devoted following while staying true to his DIY roots in the underground music scene.

Kathryn Williams is a Mercury Music Prize-nominated English singer-songwriter with an impressive 16-album discography, who has collaborated with figures like poet Dame Carol Ann Duffy and author Laura Barnett. She also possesses one of the most beautiful voices in folk.

Together, this promises to be a very special evening indeed.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

Kicking off what promises to be a big weekend at The Bear Club, The Big Smoke Family are purveyors of voodoo funk - a unique mix of punchy horns, heavy street beats, chants, and samples.

Following in the footsteps of modern New Orleans funk bands such as Galactic and Trombone Shorty, and drawing inspiration from Mardi Gras Indians, James Brown, and The Meters.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

He’s back! Ray Gelato, The Godfather of Swing and multi-talented singer, saxophonist, songwriter, and bandleader, returns as part of what promises to be a big weekend at The Bear Club.

Ray and his band have enjoyed an illustrious and successful career, including a long-established residency at Ronnie Scott’s, where they perform a sell-out event every Christmas. Ray has also performed twice for the late Queen Elizabeth, opened for Robbie Williams at the Royal Albert Hall, and played at Sir Paul McCartney’s wedding.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

Led by saxophonist Rob Mach, Jazz Jam welcomes musicians, vocalists, dancers, and music lovers who like to spend an afternoon listening to or creating great music, supported by DJ Mr Jazzy Vibes.

Doors 1pm / Music 2pm

Drink & Draw is a space to share ideas, create art, and enjoy a drink or two! There are no rules, no boundaries, just a full blown explosion of creative energy.

Hosted by local illustrator, comic book artist and Bear manager, Karl Brown, with a warm and welcoming atmosphere guaranteed.

Doors 7.30pm

Dust off your dancing shoes… you're going to need them for this one. Imagine the sweet spot where high tempo, ultra-danceable, itchy guitar-based funk intersects with heavy rock and disco (yes, there is such a place), and that's where you'll find High Fade.

Embarking on a three-man crusade to set dance floors ablaze with their inimitable brand of razor-sharp funk and disco, High Fade can already count Jack Black, Cypress Hill, Deep Purple's Glenn Hughes, and Brad Wilk from Rage Against The Machine as fans.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

Steve Banks is a leading jazz guitarist, composer, bandleader, and session musician whom you might have caught playing lead guitar for Sara Colman’s band last year.

Expect powerful modern jazz, deep contemporary grooves, lush harmonies, and memorable melodies, complemented by expressive, rich, and dynamic improvisation from a quintet comprising celebrated UK musicians and bandleaders. This performance will include music from Steve’s critically acclaimed debut album, alongside brand new compositions.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

Join us for a very special evening — a fundraiser gig for Catfish’s Matt Long’s cancer treatment, featuring Del Bromham (Stray), John Verity (Argent), Robin Bibi (The Robin Bibi Band), and, back for more after their hugely successful shows recently at The Bear Club, Connor Selby and Big Wolf Band.

Doors 6.30pm / Music 7.30pm

Catch the electrifying British-Norwegian guitar virtuoso, Krissy Matthews, on his 50-date UK & Europe tour this summer, showcasing his latest album with a fresh band lineup.

Krissy Matthews and Friends, set for release in May 2024, features a star-studded lineup including Clawfinger, Arthur Brown, Alice Armstrong, Cherry Lee Mewis, and many more. With 24 tracks spanning nearly 3 hours, the album blends Krissy's originals with beloved covers, poised to make waves in 2024.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

We’re thrilled to welcome Hannah White back to The Bear Club. Hannah kicked off 2023 by gracing the winner's podium at the Americana Music Association UK Awards, where she claimed the coveted title of UK Song of the Year with her goosebump-inducing track 'Car Crash.' Fast forward to 2024, and she's riding high with a widely acclaimed new album soaring up the charts.

Americana may be a broad category (and not always the most descriptive label), but Hannah's music—while leaning towards country—incorporates elements of folk, rock, blues, and even pop, delivering a real emotional hit.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

Golden Shoals is an exceptional American fiddle and guitar duo inspired by the enduring spirit of Appalachian mountain music. They play what some might call bluegrass or old-time country music in a style that is bang up-to-date.

Drawing on Americana, bluegrass, folk, jazz, and more, they blend traditional and contemporary influences to entertaining effect.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

A bit of a coup for us, and a first time for her at The Bear, Lady Nade is one of those artists who seems to be everywhere...

With nominations for Artist of the Year at the AMAUK Awards in 2023 and a Song of the Year win at the UK Americana Awards in 2022, Lady Nade stands as one of the UK's most distinctive voices. Recognised as one of Bristol's Most Influential Women in 2022 by Bristol Live, she's an award-winning songstress of extraordinary caliber.

Support will be from Eliza Delf & The Wilderness, an excellent new band from Norwich.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

Voted one of the hottest bass players in the world by readers of Bass Player magazine, virtuoso British-Asian bass player Shez Raja is renowned for his high-energy live shows, unique Indo-jazz-funk sound, and global star collaborations.

Expect exciting music that’s full of surprises – a sonic kaleidoscope of euphoric jazz, thundering funk, tuneful ragas, and intoxicating grooves.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

They’re back! Firm favourites at The Bear, this London-based folk / bluegrass / Americana band has toured extensively throughout the UK and Europe, captivating audiences with a heady brew of barn-storming, blues-infused Irish, American and English folk music.

Their debut album of original music showcases the versatility of the band, from Dylan-esque ballads to thumping bluegrass and devilish blues hooks.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

Greg Brice learned his trade playing the pubs, clubs and bars of the West Midlands where he'd often find some of the toughest audiences you could imagine hanging on his every word within a few bars. His intricate fingerstyle guitar and strident electric slide, together with a voice that is as clear as a bell and pure, connected in the raw and immediate way that only proper roots music can.

Internationally acclaimed jazz clarinetist Adrian Cox is, at age 40, performing at the top of his game. He is one of the world’s leading exponents of the New Orleans clarinet and has a huge wealth of knowledge of the music and the players of the era.

“Makin' Runs," is his latest project delving into the alternative ragtime repertoire from the early jazz era, aiming to capture and express the timeless essence of the music, crafting tight yet dynamic arrangements that honour the music's original intent, allowing ample room for improvisational fire.

We’re in for one hell of an evening.

Dom Martin is a Belfast-born, multi-award-winning artist who burst onto the music scene in 2019 with a unique guitar style and captivating voice, winning over audiences everywhere.

Dom was honoured as Instrumentalist of The Year at both the 2022 and 2023 UK Blues Awards. Additionally, he has been inducted into the UK Blues Hall of Fame for winning the Acoustic Act of The Year Award three years in a row, from 2020 to 2022.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

We’re delighted to support local talent as we welcome Lutonian singer-songwriter SK and her band The Kings to The Bear for the first time to coincide with the launch of her first EP.

SK brings a unique blend of jazz, R&B and soul, weaving together rich and emotional lyrics with soulful vocals backed by her talented band, The Kings.

Back at The Bear after being a huge success last time out, The 251s lay down their own brand of jumpin’ jazz, blues and swing. From the moment they hit the stage you’re immediately transported to a place and time where life-affirming, good-time rhythm and boogie is the order of the day.

Featuring talented musicians with a fearsome and uncompromising love of their music, the band serves up energetic performances that are a volatile cocktail of classic favourites and fresh contemporary originals.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

Excited to welcome Resolution 88 to The Bear Club for the first time, coinciding with the launch of the band's 4th studio album; "Vortex."

One of the UK’s leading exponents of funk jazz, Resolution 88's music is synonymous with the beautiful tones of the Fender Rhodes and fuses the sound of the modern London jazz scene with the inspirational greats of the 70’s such as Herbie Hancock’s Head Hunters and the classic Mizell Brothers productions.

A powerful and raunchy rhythm & blues five-piece producing classic blues with a hint of jazz, a touch of ‘sauce’ and lots of nostalgia. The band is driven by the superb voice of Chris Lord, supported by a heady mix of tenor sax and guitar, all built upon a first-class rhythm section.

Influences range from early artists like Bessie Smith, Zuzu Bollin and Big Mama Thornton, to more modern exponents of the art such as Dana Gillespie and Imelda May. The band also take great pains to dig out some rare gems of lesser-known tracks.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

More info + tickets