Nathan Ball
Saturday 14th March
Food served from 7:30pm
Music starts 8:30pm
Tickets £6 available in advance from the Cafe
Nathan’s career as a musician began with just him, a guitar and a unique, stirring voice that landed him support slots with Mercury Prize winners alt-J, Gabrielle Aplin and Sony RCA’s recent signing Amber Run. Following a summer of packed-out festivals – including The Great Escape, Isle of Wight, Boardmasters and Camp Bestival amongst the eleven – Nathan has just released his debut EP Echo. D rawing inspiration from his beloved Cornish coastline as well as the vast landscapes of Foals, Bon Iver and Daughter, Nathan and his band are crafting raw and surging compositions. Finding his feet in the depths of the sea, cold-water soul Nathan weaves dark acoustica with electrifying instrumental scores.
Shannon Reilly Trio
Friday 27th March
Food served from 7:30pm
Music starts 8:30pm
Tickets £6 available in advance from the Cafe
Taking the UK by storm, fabulous Lincolnshire based emerging vocalist Shannon Reilly is joined by guitar virtuoso Pat McCarthy and fine bassist Warren Jolly.
“This is superb music that manages to pull off that difficult trick of having a broad appeal whilst still satisfying the jazz connoisseur” – Gill Wilde, Jazz Promoter of the Year.
“The most talked about gig of the week” – John Holland, New Jazz 5.
Nicola Farnon
Friday 17th April
Food served from 7:30pm
Music starts 8:30pm
Tickets £6 available in advance from the Cafe
With Nicola’s trio you get a lot of musical talent for such a small band. It comprises of voice, tenor sax, piano, double bass and drums and with Piero Tucci – “a jazzer’s dream, as unpretentiously skilful on keys as he is on sax.” Sandman magazine – and the intense and propulsive drumming of Phil Johnson, these three musicians combine to give a performance that will startle you with its genuine love of music and melody. They all aim to enjoy themselves fully, to entertain joyfully – and to swing yer socks off!
Andrew Wood Trio feat. Tony Kofi
Friday 15th May
Food served from 7:30pm
Music starts 8:30pm
Tickets £7.50 available in advance from the Cafe
Supporting Tony will be local drummer and young bandleader Andrew Wood, along with his piano trio, showcasing three of the finest jazz musicians and improvisers in the region. On double bass, Martyn Spencer, an outstanding bass player and musician with performance credentials including Lady Gaga, Caro Emerald and the Paris 1940s. Derbyshire based pianist Matthew Ratcliffe completes the trio line-up, bringing a wealth of experience and talent; Matt visited Portico back in November with his organ trio and we’re looking forward to welcoming him back.
Me & Mrs Jones
Friday 12th June
Food served from 7:30pm
Music starts 8:30pm
Tickets £6 available in advance from the Cafe
Beautiful original jazz songs, made with love. Nostalgic for another time but very much for today.
Rachel Foster; Jazz and pop chanteuse, with ‘A voice like Baileys with chocolate!’ toured the US with Weekend Players earning Billboard Chart success at no.3 and reaching no.1 in the Dance Chart respectively. A voice mature enough to command demanding music.
Paul Deats; “A powerful and intense player, lyrical and thoughtful”.
Paulus has toured Europe and the UK extensively. He is a constantly inventive arranger and composer making him a much sought after player, performer and collaborator. Me and Mr. Jones will also be serving up sweet music from the American Song book and other long loved confection.
A sophisticated sound; “bluesy and breathtakingly ballsy”.
Nick Svarc Trio feat. Scott Devine
Friday 6th March
Food served from 7:30pm
Music starts 8:30pm
Tickets £6 available in advance from the Cafe
Cafe Portico is delighted to welcome ex-Lincoln resident Nick Svarc to perform with his trio. Nick is a highly accomplished electric guitarist, equally at home playing mainstream and contemporary jazz. Expect to hear delicately crafted original compositions, alongside classic burning jazz repertoire! Joining the band will be international bassist Scott Devine. Svarc has played all over the UK and Europe at various Jazz and Popular music Festivals. Most notably Birstonas Jazz Festival Lithuania, Manchester Jazz Festival, Marsdon Jazz Festival, Wigan Jazz Festival, Southport Jazz Festival, The 02 Wireless Festival (Hyde Park) amongst many others.
“Guitar-led fusion from this youthful, Leeds-based virtuoso” – Time Out
“These three push all the buttons, tick all the boxes. You want funk? you got it? You want Jazz? It’s
right there. Maybe you want to go a little towards the outside? They’ll take you there and bring you
back in one piece” – Bebop Spoken Here
Liteside Jazz
Friday 6th February
Food served from 7:30pm
Music starts 8:30pm
Tickets £6 available in advance from the Cafe
Liteside are a six-piece swing, Latin and party band. “We call our music Latin jazz for people who don’t think they like jazz. It’s jazz-based but on the lighter side. We play sweet, foot-tapping tunes and smooth ballads for you to dance and bop around to. From swing to boogie-woogie, rock & roll, classic pop such as the Beatles, Latin and jazz rock.”
Ben Martin Trio
Friday 23rd January
Food served from 7:30pm
Music starts 8:30pm
Tickets £6 available in advance from the Cafe
The newest incarnation of the Ben Martin Trio draws upon most aspects of the jazz tradition from New Orleans through to Swing, Be-Bop, Hard Bop and Free Jazz. Playing originals and standards with humour and passion Ben is joined by Martyn Spencer on double bass and Andrew ‘Woody’ Wood on drums.
Collectively the band have worked with Groove Armada, Schmoov! Lady Gaga, Kenny Wheeler, Allen Vizzutti, Andy Sheppard, Jim Mullen, Dave Newton, Tom Middleton, Charles Webster and many more.
“A soloist of immaculate taste and lyricism” – John Fordham, The Guardian.
Ratcliffe Martin & Wood
28th November
Food served from 7:30pm
Music starts 8:30pm
Tickets £6 available in advance from the Cafe
R,M&W came together to recreate the cool sounds of the 1960s West coast lounge scene – seamlessly blending jazz, soul, funk and pop. All three members are accomplished musicians in their own right, and have performing with such jazz luminaries as Kenny Wheeler, Andy Sheppard, Dennis Rollins and Dave O’Higgins as well as soul stars Edwin Starr, Jimmy Hames, The Drifters and Clem Curtis.
Tickets available from the cafe or online at;
http://www.seetickets.com/event/ratcliffe-martin-wood/cafe-portico/811718
