Having had a rest during the amazing summer of 2025 the Surrey Jazz Orchestra (SJO Big Band) will be up and in full big band swinging mode for it’s Autumn concert program from Sept onwards on Tuesday 30th Sept.
We have a star studded series of Concerts both at our base in Jacobs Well, Guildford, GU4 7PD in addition to a number of concerts across the South East. Featuring vocalists Nate Rogers and Sarah Jane Eveleigh these concerts are bound to appeal to a wide audience of swing, jazz and fans of the great American Songbook.
A mature and exciting 16 piece big band, the SJO Big Band entertains audiences with a multitude of musical delight selected from such greats as Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Stan Kenton and modern icons like Chick Corea, Buddy Rich and Gordon Goodwin. Whether it’s a schmoozy ballad, a hard and fast down beat or some body swaying to latin salsa or samba there is something to satisfy all tastes.
We start the home Autumn Series with a concert at Jacobs Well Village Hall (GU4 7PD) on Tuesday Sept 30thdoors at 7.30pm, music at 8pm, featuring vocals from Nate Rogers and a terrific program of big band tunes. With entry just £11 cash on the door, a great value bar and ample parking this is a night not to be missed.
We have a star studded series of Concerts both at our base in Jacobs Well, Guildford, GU4 7PD in addition to a number of concerts across the South East. Featuring vocalists Nate Rogers and Sarah Jane Eveleigh these concerts are bound to appeal to a wide audience of swing, jazz and fans of the great American Songbook.
A mature and exciting 16 piece big band, the SJO Big Band entertains audiences with a multitude of musical delight selected from such greats as Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Stan Kenton and modern icons like Chick Corea, Buddy Rich and Gordon Goodwin. Whether it’s a schmoozy ballad, a hard and fast down beat or some body swaying to latin salsa or samba there is something to satisfy all tastes.
We start the home Autumn Series with a concert at Jacobs Well Village Hall (GU4 7PD) on Tuesday Sept 30thdoors at 7.30pm, music at 8pm, featuring vocals from Nate Rogers and a terrific program of big band tunes. With entry just £11 cash on the door, a great value bar and ample parking this is a night not to be missed.
Vocal Royalty --Jenny How to Sing with the Surrey Jazz Orchestra at Jacobs Well - Tuesday 29th July
It’s not often we have vocal royalty singing with the Surrey Jazz Orchestra (SJO) but in July we are delighted to be joined by the renowned songstress Jenny Howe.
An actress, a coach on the TV program The Voice and for many years singing with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra (NYJO) Jenny brings with her an amazing pedigree of success.
Add to this the swinging big band tunes from the SJO and this will surely be a night to remember as we set the Jacobs Well Village Hall (GU4 7PD) alight with music to remember.
Whether it be tunes from Thad Jones or Stan Kenton or songs from Ella or Natalie Cole this will be an opportunity to hear tunes from the greats.
Entry is just £10 cash on the door, there is a great value bar and ample parking.
More information can be found at www.surreyjazzorchestra.co.uk or by contacting Pete Deane on 07770 882855, or [email protected]
It’s not often we have vocal royalty singing with the Surrey Jazz Orchestra (SJO) but in July we are delighted to be joined by the renowned songstress Jenny Howe.
An actress, a coach on the TV program The Voice and for many years singing with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra (NYJO) Jenny brings with her an amazing pedigree of success.
Add to this the swinging big band tunes from the SJO and this will surely be a night to remember as we set the Jacobs Well Village Hall (GU4 7PD) alight with music to remember.
Whether it be tunes from Thad Jones or Stan Kenton or songs from Ella or Natalie Cole this will be an opportunity to hear tunes from the greats.
Entry is just £10 cash on the door, there is a great value bar and ample parking.
More information can be found at www.surreyjazzorchestra.co.uk or by contacting Pete Deane on 07770 882855, or [email protected]
Jacobs Well Christmas Concert - December 17th 2024The Christmas concert featuring the Surrey Jazz Orchestra promises to be a spectacular holiday event, blending the timeless joy of Christmas music with the smooth energy of big band jazz. Set in a festive venue, the evening will begin with the warm, inviting sounds of the Surrey Jazz Orchestra as they take center stage, their brass and woodwind sections adding a vibrant, holiday-inspired flourish to the air. The orchestra's rhythm section will swing and groove, setting a lively backdrop for the evening's performances.
Mary Bourne and Nate Rogers, two talented singers, will join the orchestra to bring an extra layer of magic to the concert. With their dynamic voices, they will deliver a selection of beloved Christmas tunes, each reinterpreted in the style of big band and jazz. Expect to hear classic carols like "Jingle Bells," "Silent Night," and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" reimagined with sophisticated jazz arrangements—fast-paced swing numbers and smooth, soulful ballads.
Two Bumper Concerts to End 2024:
November 26th --Featuring Georgie Fellows, Supported by Oliver Eley
Georgie is a well established singer with the SJO and other bands such as the South London Jazz Orchestra and the Vince Dunn Orchestra and she will be exercising her vocal chords with the SJO in the way that is loved by the band and audience alike. Supporting Georgie vocally will by teenage star Oliver Eley. Having sung with the SJO previously he returns to wow the audience with his burgeoning singing skills.
December 17th - Featuring Mary Bourne and the irrepressible Nate Rogers
After her successful debut with the SJO earlier in the year we are delighted to welcome back Mary Bourne --of Singing It Back fame. She will be joined by the amazing Nate Rogers and the two combined together are bound to create a phenomenal year end concert before we all go off and celebrate the Xmas period.
November 26th --Featuring Georgie Fellows, Supported by Oliver Eley
Georgie is a well established singer with the SJO and other bands such as the South London Jazz Orchestra and the Vince Dunn Orchestra and she will be exercising her vocal chords with the SJO in the way that is loved by the band and audience alike. Supporting Georgie vocally will by teenage star Oliver Eley. Having sung with the SJO previously he returns to wow the audience with his burgeoning singing skills.
December 17th - Featuring Mary Bourne and the irrepressible Nate Rogers
After her successful debut with the SJO earlier in the year we are delighted to welcome back Mary Bourne --of Singing It Back fame. She will be joined by the amazing Nate Rogers and the two combined together are bound to create a phenomenal year end concert before we all go off and celebrate the Xmas period.
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February 27th 2024
The SJO are delighted to be joined by Lorraine of Lorraine and the Flames fame.
Lorraine is a new name to the UK’s music world but with an accomplished voice and elegant and stylish sound, you'd be forgiven for thinking the Irish singer was a seasoned pro. A chance meeting with her idol Barbra Streisand in Italy a couple of years ago, gave Lorraine the drive to focus once again on her own music after raising three children. The result being a confident and compelling collection of original songs and covers, released in the autumn of 2018. Lorraine has honed her sound into a smooth and soulful blend of jazz and pop with a distinct Celtic flavour -
a nod to her Irish roots. It was clear from an early age that music was to play an important role in Lorraine’s life. She started to sing at the age of 5 and starred in a number of school plays before eventually landing the lead role in Snow White at Dublin’s National Theatre and then went on to perform on National television’s Live at 3 and The Late Late Show. Lorraine's two biggest influences are Barbra Streisand and Ella Fitzgerald, hence the recent jazz set she has compiled with her band Lorraine & The Flames, covering many of the great melodies from The Great American Songbook.
The SJO are delighted to be joined by Lorraine of Lorraine and the Flames fame.
Lorraine is a new name to the UK’s music world but with an accomplished voice and elegant and stylish sound, you'd be forgiven for thinking the Irish singer was a seasoned pro. A chance meeting with her idol Barbra Streisand in Italy a couple of years ago, gave Lorraine the drive to focus once again on her own music after raising three children. The result being a confident and compelling collection of original songs and covers, released in the autumn of 2018. Lorraine has honed her sound into a smooth and soulful blend of jazz and pop with a distinct Celtic flavour -
a nod to her Irish roots. It was clear from an early age that music was to play an important role in Lorraine’s life. She started to sing at the age of 5 and starred in a number of school plays before eventually landing the lead role in Snow White at Dublin’s National Theatre and then went on to perform on National television’s Live at 3 and The Late Late Show. Lorraine's two biggest influences are Barbra Streisand and Ella Fitzgerald, hence the recent jazz set she has compiled with her band Lorraine & The Flames, covering many of the great melodies from The Great American Songbook.
JAZZ IN THE GREEN - OCTOBER 14th --SOLD OUT
Good and bad news -- our concert at Englefield Green on October 14th -- Jazz in the Green is now SOLD OUT !
Good and bad news -- our concert at Englefield Green on October 14th -- Jazz in the Green is now SOLD OUT !
Autumn Program 2023
We have now listed the Autumn and Spring Program on the Concerts page.
As well as a great mix of our strong pack of vocalists - including Sally, Nate Richard and Georgie we are delighted to be joined by the amazing Annie Dehaney-Steven for the November concert.
We are also delighted to be invited back to play at Jazz in the Green in Englefield Green again on October 14th -- this is usually a storming night so get your tickets early!
And for Xmas we have a great young couple --Richard Linnell and Georgie Fellows.
Whatever you do stay with us -- and enjoy a great Autumn of big band music!!
We have now listed the Autumn and Spring Program on the Concerts page.
As well as a great mix of our strong pack of vocalists - including Sally, Nate Richard and Georgie we are delighted to be joined by the amazing Annie Dehaney-Steven for the November concert.
We are also delighted to be invited back to play at Jazz in the Green in Englefield Green again on October 14th -- this is usually a storming night so get your tickets early!
And for Xmas we have a great young couple --Richard Linnell and Georgie Fellows.
Whatever you do stay with us -- and enjoy a great Autumn of big band music!!
Music Continues
As we all struggle with Covid the SJO are keen to continue to entertain with great live music!
The band are taking every step during rehearsals to ensure that there is minimal transmission
and maximum ventilation --and we will continue to do this as we endeavour to
still perform for our audience.
Please take care but continue to support live music!
As we all struggle with Covid the SJO are keen to continue to entertain with great live music!
The band are taking every step during rehearsals to ensure that there is minimal transmission
and maximum ventilation --and we will continue to do this as we endeavour to
still perform for our audience.
Please take care but continue to support live music!
SJO Announces New Vocalist Program for 2020!
The SJO has announced it's program of vocalists for the first half of 2020 with a fantastic range of male and female singers who will cover all genres of big band swing vocals.
Full details can be found on the Concerts page, but in Summary:
January- Nate Rogers
February- Jeremy Lassen
March - Pam Pecko Smith
April- Geoff Kaye
May- Sally Snowden
June-Georgie Fellows.
Come and join us for some amazing live big band swing jazz!!
The SJO has announced it's program of vocalists for the first half of 2020 with a fantastic range of male and female singers who will cover all genres of big band swing vocals.
Full details can be found on the Concerts page, but in Summary:
January- Nate Rogers
February- Jeremy Lassen
March - Pam Pecko Smith
April- Geoff Kaye
May- Sally Snowden
June-Georgie Fellows.
Come and join us for some amazing live big band swing jazz!!
50 Years -- The Big One in 2019!
2019 will be a big 5oth birthday party all year for the SJO.
In June we will have a specific celebration --but the party starts NOW!!!
50 Years and Still Going Strong!
As we move closer to 2019 the SJO are preparing to celebrate their 50th Birthday!
An amazing achievement -- and although we don't haver any of the original founders playing with us now -Pete Walker with over 45 years service and still playing great jazz is a reminder that music is ageless!
SJO launches Charity Collaborations: April 2018
Collaborating with a number of local charities the SJO is providing a great opportunity to raise funds and help support these charities.
Each month as nominated charity will work with the SJO and funds raised on the door and through the raffle etc will go to that charity.
Early sign up to this program include:
June - The Orpheus Centre
Sept - The Samson Centre
Oct - Shooting Star Chase
More details can be found on the Concert listing page
Pete Deane takes on SJO Leadership- August 2017
Following the retirement of Mike Wilcox from leading the SJO Pete Deane has now been appointed as the new band leader.
Pete's back ground includes both small and big band playing, starting with the Bristol Schools Big Band in the mid 70's - and he has been part of the SJO for nearly 35 years -- the last 10 of which he has been deputy to Mike -- teasing and annoying audiences with his very sad joke telling as well as his musical excellence.
Pete hopes that he can provides sustained leadership in the same way that Mike Wilcox did.
For any questions please contact Pete on 07770 882855 , or email [email protected]
Mike Wilcox – Surrey Jazz Orch (SJO) Retirement Gig – July 25th 2017
Mike Wilcox has been leading the SJO for 20 years. On July 25th he is playing his last gig at the Jacob Wells Village Hall (GU4 7PD).
Please join him and his many friends at this retirement gig. Any question please contact Pete Deane on 07770 882855 or [email protected] or see www.surreyjazzorchestra.com
Xmas Concert - Tuesday 20th December 2016 -- FREE ENTRY!!:
The SJO Big Band (Surrey Jazz Orchestra) –a modern swing big band will be performing their Christmas Concert at the Jacob’s Wells Village Hall,Jacob’s Wells, Guildford, GU4 7PD on Tuesday 20th December starting at 8pm.
The SJO Big Band (Surrey Jazz Orchestra) are delighted to announce that they are granting FREE entry to their Christmas Concert at the Jacob Wells Village Hall on December 20th 2016. This long established swing band will be playing a variety of swing versions of your favourite Christmas tunes including Jingle Bells, Sleigh Ride, Santa Baby, Hark the Herald and of course the Christmas Song( Chestnuts Roasting etc) Featuring two vocalists the SJO Big Band will provide a lively evening of great music and entertain in the style of many of the big band greats including Count Basie, Woody Herman, Duke Ellington as well as more modern styles such as Gordon Goodwin.
In recognition of the all year round support that the band gets the entrance to this Concert will be FREE. The band will be playing many swing versions of your favourite Christmas tunes and if you want to experience a great musical kick off to the Christmas period this would be a great event to attend. Any queries please contact Peter Deane on 07770 882855.
STOP PRESS: 10th ANNIVERSARY OF JAZZ IN THE GREEN
Saturday March 29th 2014 - Social Hall, Englefield Green.
As the originating Band who launched Jazz in the Green in Englefield Green back in March 2004 - The Surrey Jazz Orchestra have been invited back to play at the Social Hall, Victoria Street, Englefield Green on Saturday March 29th 2014 to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of this great local jazz club. This prestigious club in Englefield Green is a regular jazz club that entertains music fans in surrey and the surrounding areas and the SJO are delighted to have been invited back to play there again after the success they helped to create 10 years ago. For more details please contact Peter Deane -- [email protected] or 07770 882855.
Concert May 14th 2013- Charles Cryer Theatre, High Street, Carshalton
The Surrey Jazz Orchestra have been invited back to play at the Charles Cryer Theatre on May 14th. 2013. This presigious
Theatre in Carshalton is a regular jazz club that entertains music fans in south east London and the SJO are delighted to
have been invited back to play there again after the success they enjoyed last year. For more details please contact Peter
Deane -- [email protected] or 07770 882855.
Theatre in Carshalton is a regular jazz club that entertains music fans in south east London and the SJO are delighted to
have been invited back to play there again after the success they enjoyed last year. For more details please contact Peter
Deane -- [email protected] or 07770 882855.
Concert November 3rd 2012 - Jazz in the Green
Five years after the last concert in Englefield Green the organisers of Jazz in the Green are resurrecting the concept of providing top quality live music in the community with an appearance of the Surrey Jazz Orchestra (SJO) at the Social Hall in Englefield Green on Saturday November 3rd.
Resident of Englefield Green, Founder of Jazz in the Green, and a member of the Surrey jazz Orchestra Pete Deane says “Over the last few years we have had a shortage of live entertainment locally – bringing back Jazz in the Green is an opportunity to again provide leading musical acts to people in the area. The reaction to this initial concert will determine the regularity that Jazz in the Green operates and the type of music that we provide, but everyone will have the chance to give input. Historically we were able to have access to some of the top musicians in the UK and we would hope to be able to do so again. “
The SJO is a leading modern big band based in the Surrey area. Founded 45 years ago the band plays a wide range of big band music from classics such as Count Basie and Duke Ellington through to some of the modern day stars such as Chick Corea and Gordon Goodwin, famous for his Big Phat Band. Over the time of its existence the SJO has had to reinvent itself a number of times as some of the older generation move on and through the addition of fresh young blood as aspiring musicians move into the area. SJO leader Mike Wilcox, “We were the first act to launch Jazz in the Green back in 2003 and are delighted to be part of this exciting new phase bringing music into the community. We get great pleasure from playing to local audiences and I am sure that we will have a fantastic time and get a terrific response from the people of Englefield Green and the surrounding area.”
The SJO will be playing at the Social Hall in Victoria Street for Jazz in the Green on Saturday November 3rd at 8pm. Tickets are available for £10 (£8 concessions) from Peter Deane on 07770 882855 or [email protected].
Resident of Englefield Green, Founder of Jazz in the Green, and a member of the Surrey jazz Orchestra Pete Deane says “Over the last few years we have had a shortage of live entertainment locally – bringing back Jazz in the Green is an opportunity to again provide leading musical acts to people in the area. The reaction to this initial concert will determine the regularity that Jazz in the Green operates and the type of music that we provide, but everyone will have the chance to give input. Historically we were able to have access to some of the top musicians in the UK and we would hope to be able to do so again. “
The SJO is a leading modern big band based in the Surrey area. Founded 45 years ago the band plays a wide range of big band music from classics such as Count Basie and Duke Ellington through to some of the modern day stars such as Chick Corea and Gordon Goodwin, famous for his Big Phat Band. Over the time of its existence the SJO has had to reinvent itself a number of times as some of the older generation move on and through the addition of fresh young blood as aspiring musicians move into the area. SJO leader Mike Wilcox, “We were the first act to launch Jazz in the Green back in 2003 and are delighted to be part of this exciting new phase bringing music into the community. We get great pleasure from playing to local audiences and I am sure that we will have a fantastic time and get a terrific response from the people of Englefield Green and the surrounding area.”
The SJO will be playing at the Social Hall in Victoria Street for Jazz in the Green on Saturday November 3rd at 8pm. Tickets are available for £10 (£8 concessions) from Peter Deane on 07770 882855 or [email protected].
Concert January 31st - tribute to Ron Smith
Sadly, Ron Smith who played lead trumpet with the SJO for over 35 years and retired from the band recently , passed away in December.
The SJO, supported by Ron’s family, will play a tribute to Ron Smith at the concert on Jan 31st. The whole program will be dedicated to Ron’s favourite tunes –including many Maynard Ferguson numbers as well as a special tribute number written especially for the SJO by ex member Clive Chase. Clive will play bass with the SJO on January 31st ,as will a number of other guest musicians who had played with Ron and the SJO over the many years he featured as the lead trumpet. Whilst sad at the death of Ron the SJO will play this music as a celebration of a great musical life and in recognition of the contribution that he made to the band.
The SJO, supported by Ron’s family, will play a tribute to Ron Smith at the concert on Jan 31st. The whole program will be dedicated to Ron’s favourite tunes –including many Maynard Ferguson numbers as well as a special tribute number written especially for the SJO by ex member Clive Chase. Clive will play bass with the SJO on January 31st ,as will a number of other guest musicians who had played with Ron and the SJO over the many years he featured as the lead trumpet. Whilst sad at the death of Ron the SJO will play this music as a celebration of a great musical life and in recognition of the contribution that he made to the band.
| Ron Smith order of service |