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NEXT JAZZ SESSION – ELGIN TOWN HALL FOR THE COMMUNITY, 8;00pm, 25th June, 2026 (Doors open 7:30pm)

This week we are hosting an exciting young band, The Reel Groove, from Inverness. The musicians are already performing as a trio at an impressive level and are becoming well known across the North of Scotland, blending traditional Scottish music with jazz and funk influences, featuring saxophone, drums and piano.

The band is composed of Fraser Donaldson on piano, Charlie Fraser on drums and Gregor Phillips on saxophone and excerpts from some of their performances can be viewed on YouTube and Facebook, inclusive of stints performed in the mean streets of Inverness…!! It takes courage and fortitude to become a musician. 🙂

In their relatively short existence they have performed at the Shetland Folk Festival and are regular participants at Inverness Jazz Club, where they have gained valuable experience playing alongside some of the finest jazz musicians in the region.
Their live performances include covers of many classic songs showcasing their versatility and flair for blending genres.

It would be great to have a good turnout this week to support and encourage these young musicians at the start of what promises to be very promising careers.

As always, cash at the door for entrance, with card payment facility at the licenced bar.

£5 for Club members
£10 for non-members (An application form is attached…!)

Also, don’t miss supporting Club funds through our raffle, where a number of prizes have been kindly donated by Trident Engraving of Elgin.

For the next gig at Elgin Town Hall for the Community, we are delighted to welcome the talented vocalist Lizzie Pearce, whose expressive style, engaging stage presence and love of the jazz tradition make her a captivating performer. Whether delivering timeless jazz standards or putting her own stamp on familiar favourites, Lizzie brings warmth, sophistication and plenty of musical charm to every performance.

Joining Lizzie will be Adrian Beckwith on piano, Mark Fleming on bass and Finlay Grant on drums – a superb rhythm section guaranteed to make this a memorable evening of live jazz.

Cash entry at the door (open at 7:30pm)

£5 for Club members
£10 for non-members

Don’t miss our raffle, with prizes kindly sponsored by Trident Engraving.

Come along and enjoy a wonderful night of live music, great company and the welcoming atmosphere that makes Moray Jazz Club such a special place.

We look forward to seeing you on Thursday.

Just in case your head is spinning from the changes in venue, the next upcoming gig will be held this Thursday in ‘Elgin Town Hall for the Community’, as mentioned above. (As a further reminder for your diaries, we shall again be reverting to the Red Door bar at Elgin City Football Club on the 13th August and 12th November).

So what of the line-up for this upcoming event….?

This week we have another solid quartet comprising the following talented musicians who are a mainstay of the jazz scene in the North-east of Scotland and are also well known to Moray Jazz Club.

On Sax – Jamie Anderson

On Piano – Adrian Beckwith

On Double Bass – Pete Lowit

On Drums – Finlay Grant

Another Word about Club Membership….!!:

Apart from providing a significant discount on Entry to a World of great music, membership provides the means to have a say on who runs the Club and how the Club is run, etc…..!!

The reason for highlighting this at the present time is that the currently stripped down Committee (3 Members..!) has settled on the date for the next Annual General Meeting. This will be held on the 27th August 2026, so please put this date in your diary also. Almost needless to say, the current Committee would very much welcome additional support in maintaining a significant platform for high quality live music in Moray and the wider North-east… !

First of all, an important piece of info regarding the next gig on Thursday, 14th May – Although the majority of our gigs are now going to be held in ‘Elgin Town Hall for the Community’ for the remainder of this year, please note that due to the unavailability of the venue for this upcoming Thursday, we shall be reverting to the Red Door bar at Elgin City Football Club for this gig. This arrangement will also be applicable to the gigs due to take place on the 13th August and 12th November – Reminders will be sent nearer the time but, I would suggest that you put those dates and details in your diaries today…!!

Of course the more important news is that we now have a confirmed line-up for next Thursday and this now comprises the following personnel:

On vocals: Verii – Verii is a lady of great talent, and mystery, (I do not as yet have any details of her bio, but I’m sure more details will be available on our FB page very soon..!!).

On keyboards: Neil Birse – Neil hails from Aberdeen and is a classically trained jazz pianist. A graduate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, he is passionate about performance and education. Teachers whilst at Guildhall included Nikki Isles, Malcolm Edmonstone, Jason Rebello, Gareth Williams and Steve Watts. Neil has continued working regularly with various singers and musicians, live and in studio, including showcases in Switzerland, and co-producing a big band album by Giles Thornton. Often working with jazz, folk, classical and rock musicians, he also enjoys leading group workshops in schools and privately.

On Double Bass: Pete Lowit – Pete is well known to Moray Jazz Club and is a self taught musician who has been playing double bass for over 40 years, mainly in jazz and dance bands. He learned his craft working with local musicians such as Mune Angus, Frank Stephenson and Bill Kemp. In the early 1990’s he started playing in the house bands at the Lemon Tree and Blue Lamp accompanying visiting jazz musicians from all over the world. He has also played in Stavanger, Inverness, Aberdeen, Dundee and Edinburgh Jazz Festivals.

On Drums: Finlay Grant – Finlay is also well known to Moray Jazz Club and is much appreciated for his feel, rhythm and flair in forming the heartbeat of any band that he plays with.

After a successful first gig in our new home at Elgin Town Hall for the Community, MJC is delighted to invite you to another great night of live music this Thursday evening.

This week’s line-up will be the James Steele Quartet comprising of four outstanding musicians from the Scottish jazz scene, inclusive of:

James Steele, (of course), on various saxophones
James is a familiar, and always welcome, presence at Moray Jazz Club, and is known for his powerful tone and expressive improvisation across alto and baritone sax. His playing blends energy, warmth, and a deep connection to both traditional and modern jazz styles.

Nigel Mackenzie – Drums
Nigel is a dynamic and responsive drummer, equally at home driving a hard-swinging groove or adding subtle colour and texture. His musical sensitivity and rhythmic creativity make him a valued collaborator on the jazz scene.

Steven Curley – Guitar
Steven brings a distinctive voice on guitar, combining melodic invention with rich harmonic textures. His playing moves effortlessly between lyrical passages and more adventurous improvisation.

Craig Macfadyen – Bass
A solid and inventive bassist, Craig provides the foundation of the group with warmth, groove, and impeccable timing, while also contributing thoughtful melodic lines.

Together, this quartet promises an evening of engaging, high-quality jazz – full of interaction, spontaneity, and great tunes.

Entry: £10 / £5 for Moray Jazz Club members (cash at the door)
Bar: Licensed bar available (cash and cards accepted)

We’d love to see you there for what promises to be a fantastic night of live jazz in our new home.

MJC: Keeping Live Music Alive, One Gig at a Time…!

Best wishes,
Moray Jazz Club

We’re delighted to announce that Spider MacKenzie will be bringing his magical harmonicas back to Elgin!

Joining him is a phenomenal rhythm section: Adrian Beckwith on piano, Roger Nevin on guitar, Pete Lowit on double bass, and Finlay Grant on drums.

Entry: £8 per person / £5 for Moray Jazz Club members
Payment: Cash at the door
Licensed bar available

It’s been a while since ‘Spider’ played for MJC, so I’ve taken the liberty of adding a link to his website, as well as a few choice words of praise from various critics….!!

Spider MacKenzie harmonica player – Music & Videos

“Spider – a polite, unassuming guy… Until you put a harmonica in his hand. At that point he’ll take a song, and make you feel it. In your bones.” – Texas Lifestyle Magazine

“I bet you think every town has a blues harp player this good. They don’t and we should cherish him.” – The Aberdeen Press & Journal

“Spider is clearly a virtuoso harmonica player” – Blues Matters magazine

In further news, please take note that, as from this the 9th April, MJC will be relocating to Elgin Town Hall for the Community in a move which we hope will be beneficial to the Club.

This will also be the last chance for members, or prospective members, to take advantage of the Club’s ‘Earlybird’ offer of membership at the ‘old’ rate of £20 before it is increased to £35…! Entrance fees for ‘Non-members’ will also be increasing to £10. The Entrance fee for Members will remain at £5 for at least the next 12 months, which can only be described as exceptional value for those that wish to experience quality live music.

For anyone unable to make the event on 9th April, and wishes to take advantage of the ‘Earlybird’ offer, payment can be made directly to the Club’s bank account, as noted on the attached Membership Application pro-forma. The form should also be completed and returned to: morayjazzclub@gmail.com – When paying to the Club’s account, please add the reference ‘Earlybird’ followed by your surname to assist in matching up Applications with our bank statements…!!