Tenement Jazz band are a traditional jazz band formed in early 2018 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Brought together by their shared love of New Orleans music, and comprising musicians from various corners of Edinburgh’s vibrant jazz scene, they are on a journey of exploration back to the roots of the music that they play. 

Door open 7.30pm

Starts 8pm

Finishes (approx.) 10pm

Their aims are to capture the raw energy and excitement of the earliest jazz recordings, with most of their repertoire composed before 1930. They aim to find and revive lesser-heard songs and cultivate their own interpretations of these, all in order to captivate experienced jazzers, dancing persons, and uninitiated ears alike. They are particularly inspired the modern-day resurgence of early jazz on the streets of New Orleans, particularly fuelled by the strong busking culture there. 

In their existence so far they have performed at Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Dundee, Islay and Glasgow Jazz Festivals, as well as at Belladrum, Eden and Kelburn festivals in Scotland and Fjellrocken Festival in Norway. After sell-out shows at Edinburgh Festival Fringe & Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival in 2018, they performed two shows at Edinburgh Jazz Festival 2019, including as backing band to New Orleans’ singer Meschiya Lake. They were nominated for Best Band at the Scottish Awards 2019. 

They recorded and released their debut CD, ‘New Orleans Wiggle’ in June 2018, gaining positive reviews plus airplay on BBC Radio Scotland and Radio 3. A live album ‘Tenement Jazz Band Goes South’ was released in summer 2020. 

“brings a freshness and energy of youth to New Orleans style traditional jazz whilst also staying true to the original style” - Ron Simpson, The Jazz Rag, May 2019 

“the passion with which these young musicians approach the music is unmistakable... a most welcome addition to the ranks of young traditional jazz bands... the future of traditional jazz is in good hands.” - Bert Thompson, Just Jazz Magazine, April 2019 (Review of New Orleans Wiggle EP) 

“If you think that the music of yesteryear and the year before that is only played by doddery old men with wavering vibratos then think again ...this is a relatively young band who've certainly picked up the essence of the old masters of jazz.” - Bebop Spoken Here (Prohibition Cabaret Bar, Newcastle, March 2019) 

Band Members: 
Charles Dearness: Trumpet 
Stephen Feast - Tenor Saxophone / Clarinet 
Paddy Darley: Trombone 
John Youngs: Guitar/Banjo 
Doug Kemp: Double Bass or Rory Clarke: Sousaphone