"What a brilliant club" - Forbes 2025
THE VERDICT
APPJAG Jazz Venue of the Year 2024
The Verdict is a multi award winning grass roots music venue, the only full time Jazz venue outside of London in the south of England, it has been named as one of the best jazz clubs in the World by Star Insider. Weekly hosting the best in jazz music with Top International acts, playing blues, swing, funk, Latin Jazz and fusion.
Jean Toussaint Quartet
Jean Toussaint - sax
Emile Hinton - piano
Conor Murray - bass
Kai Macrae- drums
Since Toussaint left Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers in the mid eighties, He hasn’t looked back. Nor has he spent a career trying to repeat the past. The experiences gained in that world-class hothouse have enabled him to push forward and embrace challenging, and often high profile, musical collaborations in many different jazz styles.
Today he works out of London England as a composer, tenor/soprano saxophonist, bandleader and highly regarded jazz educator. Born in the Caribbean, Toussaint grew up in St Thomas USVI and started playing the saxophone at the Charlotte Amalie High School under the musical tutelage of Charles Cox, who took a special interest in the talented youngster, offering guidance and extra tuition. After high school, Toussaint attended the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston along with future jazz stars Branford Marsalis, Wallace Roney, Kevin Eubanks, Jeff Watts, Victor Bailey, Cindy Blackman, Donald Harrison and many others.
While at Berklee, Toussaint studied with and was mentored by the great saxophonist/educator Billy Pierce. It was Pierce who recommended Toussaint to
replace him in Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers. Relocating to New York, he joined in 1982 and toured and recorded with the band for four years alongside pianists Johnny O’Neal, Mulgrew Miller and Donald Brown, trumpeters Terence Blanchard and Wallace Roney, alto saxophonists Donald Harrison and Kenny Garrett, trombonist Tim Williams and bassists Charles Fambrough, Lonnie Plaxico and Peter Washington. With Art Blakey, these young men found themselves in a uniquely enviable position as the band travelled the world playing all the major festivals, clubs and concert halls.
While residing in New York and when not on the road with the messengers Toussaint, regularly led the jam sessions at the famous Blue Note Jazz club and, would visit other New York clubs sitting in with the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, Elvin Jones, Bobby Hutcherson, Freddie Hubbard etc.
Ray Gelato Quartet
Ray Gelato : Lead Vocal and Tenor Sax
Gunther Kurmary: Piano
Eleazar Ruiz : Bass
Steve Rushton : Drums
Ray Gelato is widely regarded as one of the finest and most entertaining performers on the international swing and jazz scene. Admired by legendary artists such as Van Morrison, Paul McCartney and Bryan Adams, Gelato has built a global reputation for his infectious energy, virtuosic musicianship, and ability to captivate audiences of all ages. Whether performing in grand concert halls or intimate jazz clubs, his shows transport listeners back to a golden era when music was as much about connection and charisma as it was about sound.
At the heart of his current touring project is Ray Gelato’s Swing Quartet, a dynamic ensemble that distils everything fans love about his music into a vibrant small-group format. The quartet delivers a carefully curated mix of timeless standards, hidden gems from the swing era, and Gelato’s own acclaimed original compositions. His unmistakable sound—marked by a rich, full-bodied tenor saxophone tone and smooth, expressive vocals—brings authenticity and freshness to every performance.
Backing him is a world-class rhythm section that swings effortlessly, shifting from driving, high-energy numbers to laid-back grooves with finesse and style. Together, they create a sound that is rooted in tradition yet infused with a contemporary edge, ensuring each performance feels both classic and excitingly current.
Gelato’s long-standing residency at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London has become a seasonal highlight, with his Christmas shows regularly selling out well in advance. His career has also included prestigious appearances around the world, from leading international jazz festivals to iconic venues such as Birdland Jazz Club and Blue Note Milan.
With a career that includes performances for royalty and collaborations with some of the biggest names in music, Ray Gelato continues to prove why he remains a must-see live act. His Swing Quartet promises an unforgettable evening of world-class musicianship, timeless songs, and irresistible swing.
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Risenga Makondo Cultural Jazz
“An electrifying performance that bridges continents, blending African tradition with global sounds in a way that feels both timeless and urgent.
Risenga Makondo presents Cultural Jazz, a vibrant and deeply rooted expression of music and movement inspired by the traditions of Southern Africa. At its core is the inseparable relationship between dance and music—where rhythm is not only heard, but embodied. In Venda, Tsonga, and Pedi cultures, performance is fluid and inclusive: musicians become dancers, and dancers become musicians, creating a shared, living experience.
Born in the rural north of South Africa near Venda, Risenga grew up as a shepherd with little access to formal education. He began playing music for survival at the age of fourteen. Coming of age during Apartheid, he witnessed the harsh realities faced by young Black men in his community, particularly during the South African Border War. Determined to forge a different path, he moved to Johannesburg and settled in Soweto, where reggae music became both his voice and his education.
Returning to traditional African music, Risenga expanded his sound through collaboration with musicians from across the country. In 1987, he joined Amampondo, touring internationally and developing his distinctive style. Risenga has also collaborated with saxophonist Alan Skidmore, performing at iconic venues such as Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club and contributing to projects including Skidmore’s Ubizo, which features members of Amampondo.
While studying classical music, Risenga realised the importance of preserving his improvisational and cultural roots. He later pursued music therapy at the University of Surrey, combining performance with a passion for community work. Alongside solo performances and work with the BBC, he has performed internationally, including at the WOMAD Festival.
Cultural Jazz reflects this journey. Rooted in African traditional music, it flows across borders, embracing influences from Western folk, European jazz, drum and bass, amapiano, and rock. Like the sea, it connects cultures while remaining grounded in its origins.
From Ha-Mashau village in Venda to global stages, Risenga Makondo creates performances that invite every audience member to feel, move, and belong.
