"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 10 top jazz clubs in Europe by The Guardian. Weekly hosting the best in jazz music with Top International acts, playing blues, swing, funk, Latin Jazz and fusion.
Alina Bzhezhinska & Toni Kofi ALTERA VITA
Friday March 21
Doors 7.30pm Show 8.30pm
'A powerful, moving, take-your-breath-away masterpiece' ★★★★★ Downbeat Magazine
Undoubtedly one of the leading harpists in the world today, Alina Bzhezhinska (a.k.a. AlinaHipHarp) is a one-woman powerhouse on a mission to bring harp to the forefront of contemporary sound. Bzhezhinska is the creator of HipHarpCollective, who recently won the Parliamentary Jazz Award's Best Ensemble of the Year 2024. The group’s double LP “Reflections” (BBE Music) won best album of the year 2023 by Preston Music and Alina Bzhezhinska’s Quartet was nominated for Best Live Act of the Year at JazzFM Awards 2017.
Tony Kofi is a multi award winning saxophonists, a recording career that has seen collaborations with Donald Byrd, Eddie Henderson, Abdullah Ibrahim and Ornette Coleman to name a few. Kofi’s solo work, in particular his 2020 album ‘A Different Kind Of Soul’ and his recently reissued ‘Plays Monk’ cement his reputation as one of the UK’s most accomplished saxophonists.
Yolanda Charles Project pH Instra-mentals
Saturday March 22
Doors 7.30pm Show 8.30pm
Yolanda Charles MBE - the internationally renowned bassist and songwriter has worked with artists such as Hans Zimmer, Paul Weller, Robbie Williams, BB King, Eric Clapton, Roger Daltrey, Van Morrison, Mick Jagger and Michael Jackson in a exemplary career of thirty years.
YOLANDA CHARLES - BASS
NICK LINNIK - GUITAR
HAMISH BALFOUR - KEYS
JAY KALO - DRUMS
Project pH Instra-mentals features a diverse range of musical styles, their musical variety has drawn comparisons to Parliament/Funkadelic, Herbie Hancock's Headhunters, Yes, and Return to Forever, as well as Jim Beard, Steps Ahead, John Scofield, and even the Mahavishnu Orchestra.
Band founder Yolanda Charles is well-known to music fans and industry professionals worldwide. In 2020, she was awarded an MBE for her services to music. She has spent her career performing live with artists such as Hans Zimmer, Squeeze, Robbie Williams, and Paul Weller, as well as recording with BB King, Mick Jagger, Dave Stewart, and Queen, to mention a few.
Project pH Instra-mentals features the composition skills of London-based guitarist Nick Linnik, who provides a stunning display of highly compelling soloing as the newest member of the band. Pianist Hamish Balfour brings a wide range of experience as a composer and arranger. His training in both classical & jazz and as a dance music producer gives him the perfect mix of skills for the band sound. Recently joining the live line-up is Jay Kalo on drums.
