Here’s a Gig to Knock Your Socks Off!

Whether you have been into jazz for years and want to know the best gig in town at the Oxford end of your journey with Oxford Tube, or whether you are just looking for a new direction for your musical taste, you’ll find something hip and happening at The Spin (above The Wheatsheaf at 129 High St). The Spin is celebrating its 10th anniversary on 14th May.

As well as being the best jazz club in Oxford, it is rated as one of the best in the country by such national stars as Gilad Atzmon and Steve Waterman, who have both played the club … praise indeed! Also, The Spin has been nominated for the annual Parliamentary Jazz Awards — a national accolade - for 2006, 2007 and 2008, finishing in the top three nominations every time. Enough to restore your faith in the political process!

So how did all this start? In 1999, Drummer Mark Doffman got together with a couple of mates: Pete Oxley (guitar) and Raph Mizraki (double bass/bass guitar). Showing the amazing energy, dogged determination and foolhardiness needed to start a club like The Spin, they formed the original house band.

The club opened in May of that year causing a real buzz on the local scene. The first guest was guitarist John Etheridge - who has worked with classical giant John Williams among others too numerous to mention. John has been back many times since. The house rhythm section play behind the guest artists, although a complete guest band is sometimes on the menu.

So what kind of music will you find at The Spin? If you are looking for Mr Acker Bilk or Kenny Ball sound-alikes, this is probably not your thing, which is not to run these players down but like all of music and other artistic endeavors, jazz must grow or die.

The Spin presents a huge range of original artists, covering post-bop to contemporary styles and beyond. Improvisation is the essence of jazz and you will find enough of that here to really get your adrenaline pumping.

Contrary to popular belief, musos have to make a living. Because of this Raph Mizraki has sometimes had to be replaced by Yaron Stavi or Oli Hayhurst on bass but this is not a step backwards for rhythm section drive, as both are excellent players.

One question I had for Mark Doffman when I interviewed him was: “How do you see the future for The Spin?” His reply, reassuringly, was that he thought it would last for at least ten more years. For me, the best answer he could have given.

The Spin @ The Wheatsheaf

129 High Street, Oxford OX1 4DF, (opposite Covered Market)

Gigs on Thursdays, doors open 8.15pm, bands 9.00 - 11.00pm.

Telephone: 01865 741909 Pete Oxley, 01865 245537 Mark Doffman.

Prices: usually £8 (£6 concessions) or £9 (£7 concessions). Latter price is for a complete guest band.

http://www.spinjazz.com

The Spin - April/May/June - The Listing So Far

April
30: John Hoare: Trumpet w/Spin Trio

May
7: Carlos Lopez-Real’s ‘MANDORLA’
14: SPIN’s 10th Birthday extravaganza with John Etheridge, the original Spin Trio, plus very special guests!!
21: Jutta’s Party Band: Chris Garrick, Dave Gordon, Pete Oxley, Oli Hayhurst, Russ Morgan
28: Jim Hart: Vibes, w/Spin Trio

June
4: Rob Townsend: Saxes w/Spin Trio

11: Martin Shaw: Trumpet w/Spin Trio
18: Centreline: 5-piece band
25: TBA

July
2: Mark 81Lockheart’s new quartet.

- Richard Dutton