"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.
Aleph Aguiar Quintet
Aleph Aguiar/Guitar
Shane Forbes/Drums
Artie Zaitz/Organ
Will Fry/Percussion
Pete Horsfall/Trumpet
Venezuelan-born, UK-based guitarist and composer Aleph Aguiar returns with Sugar on my Blackbeans, a vibrant and soulful exploration of Latin jazz inspired by the golden era of the 1960s. Across nine original compositions, Aguiar pays tribute to a period when musicians were boldly experimenting with Afro-Caribbean rhythms, infectious grooves and the warm, swinging energy that defined the genre. The result is music that feels both nostalgic and strikingly contemporary — a celebration of rhythm, melody and collective improvisation.
Rooted in his Afro-Venezuelan heritage, Aguiar’s sound blends rich harmonic textures with driving percussion and lyrical guitar lines. His playing draws from traditional Venezuelan rhythms while embracing the language of modern jazz, creating a sound that is rhythmically compelling and melodically expansive. Sugar on my Blackbeans captures the spirit of live performance, spotlighting interplay and spontaneity at the heart of Latin jazz.
Aguiar first established himself with two acclaimed releases, Pataruco (2015) and Maku (2017), both deeply connected to Afro-Venezuelan traditions. Since relocating to the UK, he has built a diverse international career, collaborating with leading jazz artists including Tony Kofi, Quentin Collins and Heidi Vogel, and performing at renowned venues such as Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club. His versatility has also led him into the worlds of film and theatre, serving as guitar and vocal coach for The Inbetweeners 2, performing in the West End production of On Your Feet, and touring the UK with Hairspray.
Beyond the jazz stage, Aguiar has an extensive background in contemporary dance, working as an accompanist and composer with institutions such as Trinity Laban and English National Ballet School. His interest in innovation has led him to explore new technologies and interdisciplinary performance, including his collaborative project SoundStage, which merges live music and movement through interactive design.
For this project, Aguiar is joined by an exceptional ensemble of trumpet, organ, drums and percussion, bringing depth, colour and rhythmic fire to the music. Together they deliver a dynamic live experience — rich in groove, improvisation and joyful energy — honouring the past while pushing Latin jazz forward.
Sugar on my Blackbeans is a celebration of heritage, rhythm and musical conversation — vibrant, sophisticated and irresistibly alive.
Claire Martin introduces Maddie Martin
Maddie Martin - vocals
Gabriel Taylor - trumpet/flugelhorn
Joe evans - trombone
Columbus Sandor - piano
Guy Dempsey - bass
Kai Macrae - drums
London-based vocalist Maddie Martin is fast emerging as one of the most compelling new voices on the UK jazz scene. Combining deep respect for tradition with a fresh, contemporary perspective, she brings an unmistakable “old soul” warmth, rich timbre and expressive phrasing to every performance. A natural storyteller, Maddie places lyricism at the heart of her artistry, delivering songs with emotional honesty, wit and stylistic finesse.
Her sound draws inspiration from the great stylists of the American Songbook, including Ella Fitzgerald, Carmen McRae, Anita O'Day and Nancy Wilson. Yet while rooted in this lineage, Maddie’s approach feels strikingly personal and modern. Her command of phrasing, rhythmic sensitivity and tonal colour mark her out as an artist with both technical assurance and emotional depth.
Since relocating to London, Maddie has quickly established herself as a dynamic presence in venues across the capital and beyond. In the past year she has launched her own jam session in Northwest London, toured with London Concertante, performed regularly with her long-standing duo partner Columbus Sandor, and presented sold-out shows with both her quartet and septet. She made her festival debut at the Swanage Jazz Festival 2025 and released her debut single with The Maddie Martin Big Band in December 2025.
A graduate of the Royal Academy of Music in Classical Vocal Performance, Maddie brings a strong technical foundation to her jazz work, enabling her to explore stylistic nuance and genre crossover with confidence. Since summer 2024 she has been mentored by acclaimed British jazz vocalist Claire Martin OBE. Under her guidance, Maddie recorded her debut EP at Quiet Money Studios with her quartet and horn section, produced by Claire Martin.
Now joined by pianist Columbus Sandor, bassist Guy Dempsey and drummer Kai Macrae, Maddie presents an evening of original music from her forthcoming EP—written by composer and trumpeter Gabriel Taylor—alongside fresh arrangements of jazz standards and Great American Songbook favourites. Together, the quartet delivers a performance rich in swing, intimacy and storytelling—honouring tradition while introducing a distinctive new voice to the stage.
