Bristol’s jazz scene is one of the South-West’s most precious untapped resources (second only to ancient cider recipes), you know it’s happening when former James Brown saxophonist Pee-Wee Ellis is a local player. Here’s the hot list of the coolest cats in town.

Venues:
Old Duke, King Street: Named after Duke Ellington and known mainly for traditional, New Orleans inspired jazz, this is one of the best pubs in Bristol and sets the bar high with fantastic live jazz every night of the week. Guaranteed to please.
Mr Wolf’s, St Stephens Street: Supreme atmosphere and more hip local bands and DJs than you can throw a trumpet at.
Tantric Jazz, St Nicholas Street: Dedicated to jazz of all styles, this snug, little café is packed with live jazz seven days a week. Grrrrreat!
Golden Lion, Gloucester Road: The Old Duke’s uber-cool little sister, expect plenty of jazz as well as all other music tastes to be danced to vigorously every night.
Colston Hall, Colston Street: The biggest music venue in town and where the jazz legends will occasionally make an appearance.
Epi Bar, Bristol Student Union: Monday nights host JazzFunkSoul society with an open-mic/jam and established artist appearances. Cheap beer plus free entry. Nnnnice!
Coronation Tap, Sion Place, Clifton: This fab, tiny little cider house is a great place to watch live jazz.
Attic, Stokes Croft: Bursting with jazz, latin, reggae, retro… you name it.

Bands:
Hélélé – One of the funkier resident bands at the Old Duke.
CCQ – Very talented and equally inventive mix of jazz and D&B.
Eden Height – Bristol based but tour the country, a mix of different styles all perfectly orchestrated.
Hornstars – Synonymous with a big band (there’s about 20 players) and therefore big venues, they come out at night playing most university balls.
Smerins Anti-Social Club – It’s impossible not to dance to this upbeat jazz/ska/funk ensemble.
Phil King – A regular face on the circuit solo or with his full band, soulful Phil is a must see.
Top Shelf Jazz – Classic 20’s jazz stylings, fez hats and all.
The Severn Jazzmen – Residents for 40 years, these all in red hipsters and the oldest of old hands at the Old Duke.

Richard Entwistle