THURSDAY 3rd MARCH
Open Mic Night at The Stag, Heath Road, 8.30 –
11.30pm. Free entry with a collection for Oxfam. For further
details, and to book to play, contact Jill Warren-Taylor at
[email protected]
FRIDAY 4th MARCH
Fiddlers’ Folk Session at Ollie Vees, High Street, from
8pm. This regular monthly gathering is an opportunity for
players of fiddle and other stringed instruments to come
together for a good old tune thrash! All styles played
including English, Irish, Scottish, Cajun, and American. Free
entry with a collection for Oxfam. For more information,
contact Sally at [email protected].
Time Warp, with support from GB Stars, at Trinity
Church Hall, North Street, from 7.30pm. Time Warp is a
group of long-established musical friends who play classic
pop and rock from the 50s to the present today. The girls of
GB Stars will add their vocal talents to the evening.
Admission free and refreshments provided; collection for
Oxfam. For more information, contact Charles Horsefield at
[email protected].
Open Mic at The Wheatsheaf, North Street, from 9pm,
hosted by Tim and Letty from The Band Isabelle. Acts,
please arrive early to guarantee a slot. Free entry with a
collection for Oxfam. For more information, contact Letty at
[email protected]
SATURDAY 5Tth MARCH
Saturday Session at JT Guitars, Ryland Mews, Lake
Street, from 2pm. Featuring singer-songwriters from the local
area playing original material. Great music, great coffee and
a great atmosphere. Free entry with a collection for Oxfam.
For more information, contact John on 01525 853509 or
07746 602383. www.jtguitar.co.uk.
The Electric Blues Band at The Crown, North Street,
from 9pm. Formed in 2008, The Electric Blues Band has
earned itself a well-deserved reputation for playing authentic
electric blues, bringing the best of the genre into the 21st
century. The band comprises four experienced musicians
who know how to deliver a memorable show, from roots to
hard-rocking blues and beyond. Free entry with a collection
for Oxfam. For more information, contact John at
[email protected]
SUNDAY 6th MARCH
Open Mic Night at The Swan, Northall, LU6 2EY. Bring
your talents to the mic at this relaxed and fun-filled session –
or drop in and listen. Free entry with a collection for Oxfam.
More information from Richard on 07790 023220 or at
[email protected]
TUESDAY 8th MARCH
‘You Must Remember This’ with Fiona Harrison –A
Voice in a Million, at All Saints Church Coffee Shop from
10.30am - 3pm. Join local soprano and costume artist Fiona
Harrison for a day of romantic songs from the 1920s, 30s,
40s, 50s and 60s. Fiona will be joined by Frank Sinatra style
singer Paul Marsden, and they will be performing in vintage
costume at 20 minute intervals throughout the day. Enjoy
freshly cut sandwiches and home-made cakes from the coffee
shop, while listening to the wonderful songs of yesteryear.
Free entry, collection for Oxfam. www.fionaharrison.biz
THURSDAY 10th MARCH
Greensand Jazz at The Five Bells, Stanbridge, from
8.15pm. Claire Martin, the UK’s leading female jazz vocalist,
is joined by legendary guitarist Jim Mullen and Ronnie Scott
regular Arnie Somogyi on bass, for a Greensand Oxjam
special that’s not to be missed if you’re a jazz fan. Tickets are
priced at £16 and are available from Espresso Head,
Hockliffe Street, or online at www.greensandjazz.org.uk
FRIDAY 11th MARCH
Woburn Jazz at the Conservative Club, High Street,
from 8pm. A fantastic evening of jazz and popular big band
entertainment. Free entry with a collection for Oxfam. For
more information, contact John Gates at [email protected].
The 38s, with Tess and the Durbervilles, and Louise
Sian & Matt Bedford at The Red Lion, North Street, from
8.30pm. Playing 60s soul to 70s punk, The 38s perform the
songs you like to sing, drink and dance along to. Tess and
The Durbervilles are an exciting and versatile duo, with Tess
on drums and vocals and Jeff on guitar and vocals, covering a
broad range of artists from The Beatles to Jessie J. Vocalist
Louise will be accompanied by guitarist Matt Bedford. Free
entry with a collection for Oxjam. For more information,
contact Ang at [email protected]
SATURDAY 12th MARCH
Open Air Music in the High Street, 10am-4pm. Six hours
of live music featuring a range of local musicians and groups,
organised by The Peppermint Store. Plus,
The Big Busk: Look out for singer-songwriter Kisa Austin
and her team of volunteer buskers, performing for donations
at selected spots in the town centre throughout the day.
Kosmos at the Library Theatre, from 7.30pm. World
music ensemble featuring Harriet Mackenzie on violin, Meg
Hamilton on viola, and Milos Milivojevic on accordion. A
dazzling journey across the globe, drawing on a fascinating
variety of world music and classical influences. Collection
for Oxfam. Tickets from Leighton Buzzard Library Theatre
Box Office on 0300 300 8125 or online at
www.leightonbuzzardlibrarytheatre.co.uk Further info at
www.lbmusic.co.uk. www.lbmusic.co.uk
Red Diamond at The Crown, North Street, from 9pm.
Red Diamond is a six-piece band that delivers great harmony
vocals, cool guitar work, fabulous saxophone, and drum and
bass rhythms guaranteed to get you up and dancing. Free
entry with a collection for Oxfam. For more information,
contact Chris Christoforou at [email protected].
The Booze Brotherz and Retroflections at the Southcott
Village Residents’ Association Social Club, Grasmere
Way, LU7 2PJ, from 8 pm. If you loved the musical antics of
Jake and Elwood Blues, you’ll love this tribute ensemble and
their lively rendition of classic numbers from the cult movie,
plus others. Retroflections will be completing this fabulous
double bill with upbeat songs you’ll know and love. Free
entry; donations to Oxfam on the door. More information at
[email protected] and [email protected].
SUNDAY 13th MARCH
Ale ‘n’ Acoustic Session at The Black Lion, High Street,
from 2pm. Bring your voices and instruments to join in with
this very informal and fun acoustic afternoon. Free entry with
a collection for Oxfam. For more information, contact Hollie
at [email protected]
TUESDAY 15th MARCH
Leighton Linslade Concert Band at Sacred Heart
Church Hall, Beaudesert, from 7.30pm. Conductor John
Ravenor leads this accomplished ensemble, with a varied
programme that includes The Best of Bond and Phantom of
the Opera. Free entry, with a collection on exit; proceeds will
be shared 50:50 between Oxfam and Sacred Heart Church.
Licensed bar. For more information, contact John Cook at
[email protected]
THURSDAY 17th MARCH
Open Mic Night at The Stag, Heath Road, 8.30–11.30pm.
Free entry, with collection for Oxfam. For further details, and
to book to play, contact Jill Warren-Taylor at
[email protected]
FRIDAY 18th MARCH
Giles Hedley at The Black Lion, High Street, from
8.30pm. Local blues legend Giles makes a welcome return to
the Oxjam programme for 2016. A regular on the national
blues festival and club circuit, Giles has been honing his style
since the sixties and, according to The Times, ‘he sings, and
a whole bar-room is rapt!’ Free entry with a collection for
Oxjam. For more information, go to www.gileshedley.com
SATURDAY 19th MARCH
Leighton Linslade Music Centre Spring Concert at
Vandyke Upper School, from 11am. Free entry with a
retiring collection for Oxfam. The town’s local music centre
meets at Vandyke Upper School on Saturday mornings in
term time between 9.15am and 12.30pm, and is for musicians
of all ages and abilities. More information at
www.inspiringmusic.co.uk, and by email at
[email protected]
Folk & Acoustic Session at JT Guitars, Ryland Mews,
Lake Street, from 2.30-5pm. Come along to sing and play in
a relaxed, informal atmosphere, or just listen and enjoy. Free
entry with a collection for Oxfam. More details from JT
Guitars on 01525 853509 or 07746 602383, and at
www.jtguitar.co.uk or Edmund Flach at
[email protected]
Razz at The Heath Inn, Heath & Reach, from 9pm. Allfemale vocal trio Razz cover a wide range of hits from the
Andrews Sisters to Abba with plenty of 50’s,
60’s and 70’s classics in between, all with their own special
harmony treatment. There’s plenty to dance to or just sit,
listen and sing along. For more information, contact Chris at
[email protected] or go to www.razzmusic.co.uk
THURSDAY 24th MARCH
Blues Before Midnight at The Grove Lock, from
8.30pm. BBM is a five-piece line-up featuring Mike Neary
and Dave Kirkpatrick on guitar, Sean O’Reilly on vocals, Ian
‘Spud’ Spalding on bass, and Ade Shale on drums. The band
plays a selection of blues rock, soul and rock ‘n’roll, adding
their own distinctive flavour and drawing on many
influences. Free entry, collection for Oxfam. Contact:
[email protected]
GOOD FRIDAY 25th MARCH
Toffees plus support at the Royal British Legion Main
Performance Hall, West Street, from 7pm-11pm. Oxjam
Leighton Buzzard 2016 in association with MKFM presents
hot young band Toffees plus special guests. Toffees have
been touring the UK to great acclaim during 2015 as well as
working in the studio with Coldplay's Daniel Green. The
band have most recently headlined at the Islington O2 as well
as other major venues in London. Catch this local indie/rock
band in Leighton Buzzard while you still can! For details of
tickets and where to get them, check the Oxjam LB website,
or go to www.toffeesofficial.co.uk
SATURDAY 26th MARCH
Leighton Buzzard Brewery Open Day, Grovebury Road,
from 10am-8pm, with music from 1pm. Sample the wares of
Leighton Buzzard’s very own microbrewery against a
backdrop of live music. Featuring The Buzzstables, a band
that plays its favourite songs on a variety of stringed
instruments and always with a twist, and jazz-funk combo
Funkyface. Hot food available. Free entry, with a collection
for Oxfam. www.leightonbuzzardbrewing.co.uk
Onyx at The Crown, North Street, from 8.30pm. A sixpiece band that promises to deliver some of the most
memorable tunes from the last 50 years - and a guaranteed
party atmosphere! Free entry with a collection for Oxfam.
www.onyxband.com
EASTER SUNDAY 27th MARCH
The Parish Church Choir of All Saints presents an
informal concert from 7.15pm, after the Easter Sunday
Choral evensong which starts at 6pm. Join us for a glass of
wine and to listen to a selection of favourite pieces sung by
members of the choir. Free entry with a collection for Oxfam.
www.allsaintslb.org.uk
EASTER MONDAY 28th MARCH
Folk Tunes Session at The Five Bells, Stanbridge. All
instruments welcome, including fiddle, whistle, squeeze box,
banjo, mandolin, spoons, and mouth organ, at this regular
monthly gathering of local folk musicians. Free entry with a
collection for Oxfam. For more information, contact Sally at
[email protected]
THURSDAY 31st MARCH
Open Mic Night at The Stag, Heath Road, 8.30 –
11.30pm. Free entry with collection for Oxfam. For further
details, and to book to play, contact Jill Warren-Taylor at
[email protected]
FRIDAY 8th APRIL(post festival)
Rock of Ages Open Concert at All Saints Church, from
7.30pm. Come along and enjoy this exuberant choir's
inimitable versions of many rock classics - and a few
surprises. Free entry, with a collection for Oxfam. For more
information, contact Peter Neall at
[email protected]
FRIDAY 22nd APRIL (post festival)
Natasha Seale Trio at Treetops Café, Rushmere Country
Park, from 7.30pm. An evening of live jazz, soul, blues and
self-penned songs from Natasha’s debut album ‘Walk
Awake’. Natasha is a professional singer-songwriter who
featured in last year’s Cheltenham Jazz Festival and is
described as ‘a delight to listen to’ by the Evening Standard.
Tickets £15, to include a glass of wine and entrance fee to
park. Limited availability. Call Hayleigh on 01525 234260.
Collection for Oxfam. www.natashasingsjazz.com
Leighton Buzzard
OXJAM 2016
Oxjam is Oxfam’s music festival with a difference.
Each year, mainly during October, music-lovers all
across the UK get involved to raise money for
Oxfam by holding their own events. Every pound
helps Oxfam tackle poverty all over the world:
helping people to earn a living, get an education,
gain better access to healthcare and fresh water,
and to grow more food. For more information
about Oxjam visit: www.oxfam.org.uk/oxjam
Leighton Buzzard had its first Oxjam event in 2007
and since 2009 has held an annual music festival
during March when hundreds of local musicians
put on a feast of music of all different styles, with
the aim of brightening-up the town and doing our
bit for Oxfam. Details of all festival events are at
www.oxjamleightonbuzzard.org.uk and you can
follow us on Facebook.
The details in the programme were correct at the time
of printing, but to check events and look for extra ones,
check our website:
www.oxjamleightonbuzzard.org.uk
where you can also read more about the artists
contributing to the festival, find out about previous
years and contact the committee.
Printing services kindly provided by:
Prontaprint Milton Keynes
Oxfam GB is a registered charity (no 202918) and a member of
Oxfam International. Oxfam works with others to find lasting
solutions to poverty and suffering.
Festival Sponsors
For 2016: